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When you are far from home,
you feel like a bird
    without a nest.
The sweet smell of incense
    can make you feel good,
but true friendship
    is better still.[a]
10 Don't desert an old friend
    of your family
or visit your relatives
    when you are in trouble.
A friend nearby is better
    than relatives far away.

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Footnotes

  1. 27.9 still: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 9.

Like a bird that flees its nest(A)
    is anyone who flees from home.

Perfume(B) and incense bring joy to the heart,
    and the pleasantness of a friend
    springs from their heartfelt advice.

10 Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family,
    and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster(C) strikes you—
    better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.

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