Proverbs 13:20-21 “The one who associates with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. Calamity pursues sinners, but prosperity rewards the righteous.”

We become like those we hang around, which is why we have to be careful. That doesn’t mean that we can’t be a witness to others, but we have to be sure that we are influencing them, and not the other way around! We want to experience good (prosperity), not evil (calamity).

Could more be implied here too? Since hanging around with the wise makes you wise, it seems logical that hanging around with fools makes you foolish. But the way it’s put, that the “companion of fools suffers harm,” probably means more. Sometimes, even though you might not be the one doing anything wrong, you get into trouble because you are with those who are caught. Simply being around fools may bring harm. Be careful!