“Whoever pricks an eye
Brings tears.
Whoever pricks the heart
Makes clear its feelings.
Whoever throws a stone at birds
Scares them away.
Whoever reviles a friend
Destroys a friendship.
Even if you have drawn your sword
Against a friend,
Do not despair.
There is a way back.
If you have opened your mouth
Against your friend,
Do not worry.
Reconciliation is possible.
But your friend will flee
If you have been reviling,
If you have been arrogant,
If you have disclosed his secrets,
If you have dealt a treacherous blow.”
Friendship is tricky. Certain things follow naturally. If you prick your eye you will get a tear in your eye. If you touch someone’s heart, you make your feelings known. If you throw stones at birds, they will scatter. If you revile a friend with abusive language, you will destroy that friendship. If you have drawn a sword or opened your mouth against a friend, don’t despair. There is still a chance for this friendship to be reconciled. However, your friend will leave you if you use abusive arrogant language, disclose their secrets, or try to kill them. These actions are show stoppers. The friendship will die. Your friend will go away and not come back.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 