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Trustworthy are the blows of a friend,
    dangerous, the kisses of an enemy.[a]
One who is full spurns honey;
    but to the hungry, any bitter thing is sweet.
Like a bird far from the nest
    so is anyone far from home.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. 27:6 The present translation is conjectural. The meaning seems to be that a friend’s rebuke can be life-giving and an enemy’s kiss can be deadly (like the kiss of Judas in Mt 26:48).
  2. 27:8 The bird symbolizes vulnerability as it flees before danger as in Is 10:14; 16:2; and Ps 11:1. For the importance of place in human life, see Jb 20:8–9. People are defined by their place, but, tragically, war, poverty, or illness can force them from it.