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22 
For in doing so, you will [a]heap coals of fire upon his head,
And the Lord will reward you.
23 
The north wind brings forth rain;
And a backbiting tongue, an angry countenance.
24 
It is better to live in a corner of the housetop [on the flat roof, exposed to the weather]
Than in a house shared with a quarrelsome (contentious) woman.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:22 This expression may refer to an Egyptian custom in which a penitent man carried a pan of coals on his head as a sign of repentance. The message of these verses is the admonition to return good for evil in the hope that your enemy will be moved to repentance.

22 In doing this, you will heap burning coals(A) on his head,
    and the Lord will reward you.(B)

23 Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain
    is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.

24 Better to live on a corner of the roof
    than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.(C)

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