New Revised Standard Version
Well meant are the wounds a friend inflicts, but profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

Contemporary English Version
You can trust a friend who corrects you, but kisses from an enemy are nothing but lies.

New American Bible
Trustworthy are the blows of a friend, dangerous, the kisses of an enemy.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Better are the wounds of a friend, than the deceitful kisses of an enemy.

Better are the wounds of a friend, than the deceitful kisses of an enemy.

the wounds

2 Samuel 12:7 And Nathan said to David: Thou art the man. Thus saith the Lord the God of Israel: I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee from the hand of Saul,

Job 5:17,18 Blessed is the man whom God correcteth: refuse not, therefore, the chastising of the Lord. . . .

Psalm 141:5 The just man shall correct me in mercy, and shall reprove me: but let not the oil of the sinner fatten my head. For my prayer shall still be against the things with which they are well pleased:

Hebrews 12:10 And they indeed for a few days, according to their own pleasure, instructed us: but he, for our profit, that we might receive his sanctification.

Revelation 3:19 Such as I love, I rebuke and chastise. Be zealous therefore and do penance.

the kisses

Proverbs 10:18 In the multitude of words there shall not want sin: but he that refraineth his lips, is most wise.

Proverbs 26:23-26 Swelling lips joined with a corrupt heart, are like an earthern vessel adorned with silver dross. . . .

2 Samuel 20:9,10 And Joab said to Amasa: God save thee, my brother. And he took Amasa by the chin with his right hand to kiss him. . . .

Matthew 26:48-50 And he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying: Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he. Hold him fast. . . .

deceitful or earnest