13 To those who send him, a trustworthy envoy
is like the coolness of snow on a harvest day;
he refreshes the life of his masters.(A)

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13 Like cold snow during harvest time
    is a faithful messenger to those who send him;
        he refreshes his masters.

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16 If you find honey,(A) eat only what you need;
otherwise, you’ll get sick from it and vomit.(B)

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16 If you find some honey,
    eat only what you need.
Take too much,
    and you’ll vomit.

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19 Trusting an unreliable person in a difficult time
is like a rotten tooth or a faltering foot.(A)

20 Singing songs to a troubled heart
is like taking off clothing on a cold day
or like pouring vinegar on soda.[a](B)

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Footnotes

  1. 25:20 Lit natron, or sodium carbonate

19 A bad tooth and an unsteady foot—
    that’s what confidence in an unreliable man is like
        in a time of trouble.

20 Taking your coat off when it’s cold
    or pouring vinegar on soda—
        that’s what singing songs does to a heavy heart.

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