Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Proverbs 27:1-13 (ESV)
27 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. 2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. 3 A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both. 4 Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? 5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. 7 One who is full loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet. 8 Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home. 9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel. 10 Do not forsake your friend and your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away. 11 Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him who reproaches me. 12 The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it. 13 Take a man’s garment when he has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for an adulteress.
This sections contains some helpful wisdom for being and surrounding yourselves with good friends. You know you have a good friend when they take abuse on your behalf (6) and having a close friend who can help in times of need can be more helpful than having lots of loving family who live far away (10). It is also important to find good friends who will tell us the truth, even when it hurts, because it will ultimately bring “sweetness” to our lives (9). Do you have friends that you know you can trust? Do you have friends that you know will tell you the truth and not just what you want to hear? Do you have friends who will always give you the Good News that you are saved, forgiven, and loved by God?