Revised Literal Translation

Proverbs 25:15-23

15By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

16Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

17Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.1 2

18A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

19Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

20As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.

21If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

22For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, And Yhwh shall reward thee.

23The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.3

Notes

1. Proverbs 25:17 Withdraw…: or, Let thy foot be seldom in. ↩
2. Proverbs 25:17 weary…: Heb. full of thee. ↩
3. Proverbs 25:23 driveth…: or, bringeth forth rain: so doth a backbiting tongue an angry countenance. ↩