17 ^aA friend loves at all times,
And a brother is born for adversity. ‡

18 ^aA man devoid of¹ understanding shakes hands in a pledge,
And becomes¹ surety for his friend. ‡

20 He who has a¹ deceitful heart finds no good,
And he who has ^aa perverse tongue falls into evil. ‡

21 He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow,
And the father of a fool has no joy.