Proverbs 25:21
19 Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.
20 Like one who removes a garment on a cold day or vinegar poured on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22 For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
23 As the north wind brings forth rain, so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
- KJV
- If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
- WEB
- If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
- ASV
- If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
- DARBY
- If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
- BLB
- If your enemy [is] hungry, give him bread, and if [he is] thirsty, give him water to drink,
- ÅB
- Hungrer din fiende, så gi ham brød å spise, og tørster han, så gi ham vann å drikke!
- OTB
- Hvis din fiende er sulten, gi ham mat; hvis han er tørst, gi ham vann å drikke.
- B1930
- Hungrer din fiende, så gi ham brød å ete, og tørster han, så gi ham vann å drikke!
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Romans 12:20–21
On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Read in contextMatthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Read in contextProverbs 24:17
Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles,
Read in contextExodus 23:4–5
If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him.
Read in contextLuke 10:33–36
But when a Samaritan on a journey came upon him, he looked at him and had compassion.
Read in context2 Kings 6:22
“Do not kill them,” he replied. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and then return to their master.”
Read in context2 Chronicles 28:15
Then the men who were designated by name arose, took charge of the captives, and provided from the plunder clothing for the naked. They clothed them, gave them sandals and food and drink, anointed their wounds, and put all the feeble on donkeys. So they brought them to Jericho, the City of Palms, to their brothers. Then they returned to Samaria.
Read in context