11 (A)A word fitly spoken
    is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
12 Like (B)a gold ring or an ornament of gold
    is a wise reprover to (C)a listening ear.
13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
    is (D)a faithful messenger to those who send him;
    he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Like (E)clouds and wind without rain
    is a man who (F)boasts of a gift he does not give.

15 With (G)patience a ruler may be persuaded,
    and a soft tongue will break a bone.
16 If you have (H)found honey, eat (I)only enough for you,
    lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.
17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house,
    lest he have his fill of you and hate you.
18 A man who (J)bears false witness against his neighbor
    is like a war club, or (K)a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble
    is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.
20 Whoever (L)sings songs to a heavy heart
    is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,
    and like vinegar on soda.
21 (M)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 (N)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 (O)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 (P)a thirsty soul,
    so is (Q)good news from a far country.
26 Like (R)a muddied spring or a polluted fountain
    is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27 It is (S)not good to eat much honey,
    nor is it glorious to (T)seek one's own glory.[a]
28 A man (U)without self-control
    is like (V)a city broken into and left without walls.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain

11 Like apples[a] of gold in settings of silver(A)
    is a ruling rightly given.
12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold
    is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.(B)

13 Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time
    is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him;
    he refreshes the spirit of his master.(C)
14 Like clouds and wind without rain
    is one who boasts of gifts never given.

15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,(D)
    and a gentle tongue can break a bone.(E)

16 If you find honey, eat just enough—
    too much of it, and you will vomit.(F)
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—
    too much of you, and they will hate you.

18 Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow
    is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.(G)
19 Like a broken tooth or a lame foot
    is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.
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(H) on his head,
    and the Lord will reward you.(I)

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.(J)

25 Like cold water to a weary soul
    is good news from a distant land.(K)
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,(L)
    nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.(M)

28 Like a city whose walls are broken through
    is a person who lacks self-control.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:11 Or possibly apricots