Proverbs 25:18-22
Proverbs 25:18-22 King James Version (KJV)
A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour Is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, So is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart. If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, And the LORD shall reward thee.
Proverbs 25:18-22 The Message (MSG)
Anyone who tells lies against the neighbors in court or on the street is a loose cannon. Trusting a double-crosser when you’re in trouble is like biting down on an abscessed tooth. Singing light songs to the heavyhearted is like pouring salt in their wounds. If you see your enemy hungry, go buy him lunch; if he’s thirsty, bring him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness, and GOD will look after you.
Proverbs 25:18-22 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
Like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow Is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor. Like a bad tooth and an unsteady foot Is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble. Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on soda, Is he who sings songs to a troubled heart. If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the LORD will reward you.
Proverbs 25:18-22 New Century Version (NCV)
When you lie about your neighbors, it hurts them as much as a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow. Trusting unfaithful people when you are in trouble is like eating with a broken tooth or walking with a crippled foot. Singing songs to someone who is sad is like taking away his coat on a cold day or pouring vinegar on soda. If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink. Doing this will be like pouring burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
Proverbs 25:18-22 American Standard Version (ASV)
A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor Is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. As one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon soda, So is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart. If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head, And Jehovah will reward thee.
Proverbs 25:18-22 New International Version (NIV)
Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor. Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble. 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. If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
Proverbs 25:18-22 New King James Version (NKJV)
A man who bears false witness against his neighbor Is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow. Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint. Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather, And like vinegar on soda, Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the LORD will reward you.
Proverbs 25:18-22 Amplified Bible (AMP)
Like a club and a sword and a piercing arrow Is a man who testifies falsely against his neighbor (acquaintance). Like a broken tooth or an unsteady foot Is confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble. Like one who takes off a garment in cold weather, or like [a reactive, useless mixture of] vinegar on soda, Is he who [thoughtlessly] sings [joyful] songs to a heavy heart. [Dan 6:18; Rom 12:15] If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; [Matt 5:44; Rom 12:20] For in doing so, you will heap coals of fire upon his head, And the LORD will reward you.
Proverbs 25:18-22 New Living Translation (NLT)
Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow. Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot. Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar in a wound. If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the LORD will reward you.
Proverbs 25:18-22 The Passion Translation (TPT)
Lying about and slandering people are as bad as hitting them with a club, or wounding them with an arrow, or stabbing them with a sword. You can’t depend on an unreliable person when you really need help. It can be compared to biting down on an abscessed tooth or walking with a sprained ankle. When you sing a song of joy to someone suffering in the deepest grief and heartache, it can be compared to disrobing in the middle of a blizzard or rubbing salt in a wound. Is your enemy hungry? Buy him lunch. Win him over with your kindness. Your surprising generosity will awaken his conscience and God will reward you with favor.
Proverbs 25:18-22 English Standard Version 2016 (ESV)
A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow. Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips. Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda. If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.