Proverbs 25:20-28
English Standard Version
20 Whoever (A)sings songs to a heavy heart
is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,
and like vinegar on soda.
21 (B)If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,
and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
22 for you will heap (C)burning coals on his head,
and the Lord will reward you.
23 The north wind brings forth rain,
and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
24 (D)It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
25 Like cold water to (E)a thirsty soul,
so is (F)good news from a far country.
26 Like (G)a muddied spring or a polluted fountain
is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27 It is (H)not good to eat much honey,
nor is it glorious to (I)seek one's own glory.[a]
28 A man (J)without self-control
is like (K)a city broken into and left without walls.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain
Proverbs 25:20-28
New International Version
20 Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,
or like vinegar poured on a wound,
is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
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)
25 Like cold water to a weary soul
is good news from a distant land.(D)
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well
are the righteous who give way to the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat too much honey,(E)
nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.(F)
28 Like a city whose walls are broken through
is a person who lacks self-control.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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