Proverbs 25:15-28

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

¹⁵ With patience a ruler may be persuaded,
    and a soft tongue can break bones.^(A)
16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you,
    lest, having too much, you vomit it up.^(B)
17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house,
    lest the neighbor become weary of you and hate you.
¹⁸ Like a war club, a sword, or a sharp arrow
    is one who bears false witness against a neighbor.^(C)
19 Like a bad tooth or a lame foot
    is trust in a faithless person in time of trouble.
²⁰ Like vinegar on a wound^[a]
    is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
Like a moth in clothing or a worm in wood,
    sorrow gnaws at the human heart.^[b]
21 If your enemies are hungry, give them bread to eat,
    and if they are thirsty, give them water to drink,^(D)
22 for you will heap coals of fire on their heads,
    and the Lord will reward you.^(E)
23 The north wind produces rain,
    and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.^(F)
24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
    than in a house shared with a contentious wife.^(G)
25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
    so is good news from a far country.^(H)
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain
    are the righteous who give way before the wicked.^(I)
27 It is not good to eat much honey
    or to seek honor on top of honor.^(J)
28 Like a city breached, without walls,
    is one who lacks self-control.^(K)