Proverbs 18:19-24

19 Help your relatives and they will protect you like a strong city wall, but if you quarrel with them, they will close their doors to you.

20 You will have to live with the consequences of everything you say.

21 What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words.

22 Find a wife and you find a good thing; it shows that the Lord is good to you. ¹

23 When the poor speak, they have to be polite, but when the rich answer, they are rude.

24 Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers.

Cross References

• 1. +218.22Ben Sira 26.1-4.

Footnotes

• [a]. [Some ancient translations] Help . . . wall; [Hebrew unclear.]
• [b]. [Some ancient translations] Some friendships do; [Hebrew] Someone with friends does.