23
Gain your neighbors' trust while they are poor, so that when they are prosperous, you will be filled along with them. In a time of distress remain with them so that when they inherit, you will be a joint heir.
24
Before there's a fire, a furnace has vapor and smoke; so before bloodshed there are insults.
25
I won't be ashamed to shelter friends, and I won't hide from them.
26
And if something bad happens to me because of them, everyone who hears of it will be on guard against them.
27
Who will put a guard on my mouth and an effective seal upon my lips so that I don't fall because of my speech and so that my tongue doesn't destroy me?