Faithful are the wounds of a friend...

Flattery.

I love Proverbs as well.

Books could be written on that one I expect. Enemies love to flatter and seduce with feigned signs of friendship.

Was looking at related verses, here are a few.

Absalom using flattery to further his betrayal of King David.

2 Samuel 15:5-6: "And so it was, whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, that he would put out his hand and take him and kiss him. In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel."

A gesture of brotherly love used for murder.

2 Samuel 20:9-10: "Then Joab said to Amasa, “Are you in health, my brother?” And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. But Amasa did not notice the sword that was in Joab’s hand. And he struck him with it in the stomach, and his entrails poured out on the ground; and he did not strike him again. Thus he died."

One kiss can be just as treacherous as many.

Matthew 26:48-49: "Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.” Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him."

As far as I know "the faithful wounds of a friend" are not permitted here
except under very confining and strict guidelines.

What friend of sinners spoke the plain truth all the time,
and "wounded" down to the innermost being/ separating even (as HE said) bone and marrow (intents of the heart)?

Michie said:

I also see it as those that are considered friends rarely disagree. They just nod and go along with one another in their folly. A true friend is one that can be honest. Even if it hurts.

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yeshuaslavejeff said:

What friend of sinners spoke the plain truth all the time,
and "wounded" down to the innermost being/ separating even (as HE said) bone and marrow (intents of the heart)?

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Yeshua is all complete Wisdom and Knowledge, therefore He knew how to speak to each person, or group according to how they would received His Word. He knew and knows our true heart.
For example He spoke to the woman caught in adultery in love, compassion and instruction but not condemnation.
But look how He spoke to religious hypocrites ?
However, even though we may be His Children we do not have all complete Wisdom and Knowledge of the hearts of those we speak to. I agree with both of you. We all need to be wise and guided by Yeshua's Ruach Spirit so we don't offend our brother/sister. There are times to give Flowers, and times to pierce with a Sword (his Word) not ours.
Ecclesiastes 3
3 There is a right time for everything:

2 A time to be born;
A time to die;
A time to plant;
A time to harvest;
3 A time to kill;
A time to heal;
A time to destroy;
A time to rebuild;
4 A time to cry;
A time to laugh;
A time to grieve;
A time to dance;
5 A time for scattering stones;
A time for gathering stones;
A time to hug;
A time not to hug;
6 A time to find;
A time to lose;
A time for keeping;
A time for throwing away;
7 A time to tear;
A time to repair;
A time to be quiet;
A time to speak up;
8 A time for loving;
A time for hating;
A time for war;
A time for peace.

"Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."
Not sure I've followed that advice.

Notice the TITLE : "Faithful are the WOUNDS...." (i.e. a hard word [seemingly 'offensive'] by Y'SHUA, or brethren) is MORE to be desired than
"easy" words [even] dripping with butter or easy to take or easy to listen to or easy to agree with...
That's why Y'SHUA said >
Matthew 11:6 - Bible Gateway
https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/Matthew 11:6
And blessed is he, whosoever shall find no occasion of stumbling in me. AMP.
And blessed [joyful, favored by God] is he who does not take offense at Me ...

BeStill&Know said:

We all need to be wise and guided by Yeshua's Ruach Spirit so we don't offend our brother/sister.

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yeshuaslavejeff said:

Notice the TITLE : "Faithful are the WOUNDS...." (i.e. a hard word [seemingly 'offensive'] by Y'SHUA, or brethren) is MORE to be desired than
"easy" words [even] dripping with butter or easy to take or easy to listen to or easy to agree with...
That's why Y'SHUA said >
Matthew 11:6 - Bible Gateway
https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/Matthew 11:6
And blessed is he, whosoever shall find no occasion of stumbling in me. AMP.
And blessed [joyful, favored by God] is he who does not take offense at Me ...

Click to expand...

Yes, I agree friend.
We should make every effort to live at peace with others (Romans 12:18). This does not mean, however, we will never offend a fellow Christian if, for example, a rebuke is needed. Even though we speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), we might still offend. We must live by the truth of God's Word, and those people who are living contrary to the truth are often offended.
Non-Christians may be offended as well.
After all, the message of the gospel declares that they are sinners who need to repent and put their faith in Jesus Christ. In a sense, we need to offend unbelievers in order to witness to them!
Although we cannot keep people from getting offended, we should make sure that it is the truth that offends rather than our attitude, actions, or approach.
We must follow biblical principles in all areas. At times, offending is wrong, and at other times, it is necessary. As we spread the truth of God's Word, we should do so in love, humility, and boldness, making sure we are living by the truth, in Yeshua's name.