Proverbs 25:15
13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
- KJV
- By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
- WEB
- By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
- ASV
- By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, And a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
- DARBY
- By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
- BLB
- With slowness of anger a ruler may be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
- ÅB
- Ved saktmodighet blir en fyrste overtalt, og en mild tunge knuser ben.
- OTB
- Med tålmodighet kan en hersker overtales, og en mild tunge kan bryte et bein.
- B1930
- Ved saktmodighet blir en fyrste overtalt, og en mild tunge knuser ben.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Ecclesiastes 10:4
If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.
Read in contextProverbs 15:1
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
Read in contextProverbs 16:14
The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
Read in contextGenesis 32:4–21
And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now:
Read in context1 Samuel 25:24–44
And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid.
Read in context1 Samuel 25:14
But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them.
Read in context