23. Gain your neighbors’ trustwhile they are poor,so that when they are prosperous,you will be filled along with them.In a time of distress remain with themso 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 mebecause of them,everyone who hears of itwill be on guard against them.
27. Who will put a guard on my mouthand an effective seal upon my lipsso that I don’t fallbecause of my speechand so that my tonguedoesn’t destroy me?