Proverbs 27:5-17
27:5 Better is open rebuke [whether from a friend, stranger, or enemy] than hidden love.

27:6 Wounds [cf. “open rebuke” of 27:5; “wounds” refers to the inner hurt that one may feel when rebuked by a true friend; may initially hurt but are designed for our good; cf. Eph. 4:15 re: speaking the truth in love] from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses [cf. Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss (Matt. 26:48-49); flattery is deceitful].

27:7 He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.

27:8 Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home.

27:9 Perfume and incense [these give a pleasing aroma] bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel.

27:10 Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father [a loyal friend of the family; cf. 1 Kings 5:1-12 re: Solomon receiving help from Hiram, a friend of David; cf. 1 Kings 12:6-8 re: Rehoboam foolishly rejected the counsel of his father Solomon’s friends], and do not go to your brother’s house [separated by geographical distance] when disaster strikes you—better a neighbor [a better source of immediate help] nearby [readily available] than a brother far away.

27:11 Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart; then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.

27:12 The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.

27:13 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if he does it for a wayward woman.

27:14 If a man loudly blesses his neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse.

27:15 A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day;

27:16 restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand.

27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.