Proverbs 25:21–25
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
*If thine enemie be hungry, giue him bread to eate: and if hee be thirstie, giue him water to drinke.
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- *Cross-referenceExod.23.4. rom.12.20.
For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.
For thou shalt heape coales of fire vpon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
‖The North winde driueth away raine: so doeth an angrie countenance a backbiting tongue.
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- ‖Alternative wordingOr, The Northwinde bringeth foorth raine, so doeth a backbiting tongue, an angry countenance.
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
* It is better to dwell in a corner of the house top, then with a brawling woman, and in a wide house.
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- *Cross-referenceChap. 21.9. and 19.13.
As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
As cold waters to a thirstie soule: so is good newes from a farre countrey.
Narration uses the Pure Cambridge Edition.
PASSAGE SELECTION
Build from either side
Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.
SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE
Cross References
22 Essential passages are open for comparison.
From verse 21
- Romans 12:20–21Rank 1 from verse 21
20Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
20*Therefore if thine enemie hunger, feed him: if he thirst, giue him drink. For in so doing thou shalt heape coales of fire on his head.
21Be not ouercome of euill, but ouercome euill with good.
- Matthew 5:44Rank 2 from verse 21
44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
44But I say vnto you, *Loue your enemies, blesse them that curse you, doe good to them that hate you, and *pray for them which despitefully vse you, and persecute you:
- Exodus 23:4–5Rank 3 from verse 21
4¶ If thou meet thine enemy’s ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.
5If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.
4¶ If thou meete thine enemies oxe or his asse going astray, thou shalt surely bring it backe to him againe.
5*If thou see the asse of him that hateth thee, lying vnder his burden, ‖and wouldest forbeare to helpe him, thou shalt surely helpe with him.
- Proverbs 24:17Rank 4 from verse 21
- Luke 10:33–36Rank 5 from verse 21
33But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
34And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
36Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
33But a certaine Samaritane as he iourneyed, came where he was; and when hee saw him, hee had compassion on him,
34And went to him, and bound vp his wounds, powring in oile and wine, and set him on his owne beast, and brought him to an Inne, and tooke care of him.
35And on the morrow when he departed, hee tooke out two †pence, and gaue them to the hoste, and saide vnto him, Take care of him, and whatsoeuer thou spendest more, when I come againe I will repay thee.
36Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour vnto him that fell among the theeues?
- 2 Chronicles 28:15Rank 6 from verse 21
15And the men which were expressed by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of them upon asses, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their brethren: then they returned to Samaria.
15And the men which were expressed by name, rose vp and tooke the captiues, and with the spoile clothed all that were naked among them, and arayed them, and shod them, and gaue them to eate and to drinke, and anointed them, and caried all the feeble of them vpon asses, and brought them to Iericho, *the city of palme-trees, to their brethren: then they returned to Samaria.
- 2 Kings 6:22Rank 7 from verse 21
22And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.
22And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captiue with thy sword, and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eate, and drinke, and go to their master.
From verse 22
- 2 Samuel 16:12Rank 1 from verse 22
- Matthew 10:13Rank 2 from verse 22
- 1 Corinthians 15:18Rank 3 from verse 22
From verse 23
- 2 Corinthians 12:20Rank 1 from verse 23
20For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
20For I feare lest when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall bee found vnto you such as ye would not, lest there bee debates, enuyings, wraths, strifes, backebitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults,
- Proverbs 26:20Rank 3 from verse 23
- Psalms 15:3Rank 4 from verse 23
- Romans 1:30Rank 5 from verse 23
- Psalms 101:5Rank 6 from verse 23
From verse 24
- Proverbs 21:19Rank 1 from verse 24
- Proverbs 21:9Rank 2 from verse 24
- Proverbs 27:15–16Rank 3 from verse 24
15A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.
16Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself.
15*A continuall dropping in a very rainie day, and a contentious woman, are alike.
16Whosoeuer hideth her, hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand which be wrayeth it selfe.
- Proverbs 19:13Rank 4 from verse 24
From verse 25
- Proverbs 15:30Rank 1 from verse 25
- Romans 10:15Rank 2 from verse 25
15And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
15And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written: *How beautifull are the feete of them that preach the *Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
- Psalms 63:1Rank 3 from verse 25
1O GOD, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
1¶ O God, thou art my God, earely will I seeke thee: my soule thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee, in a drie and thirstie lande, where no water is:
- Exodus 17:2–3Rank 4 from verse 25
2Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the Lord?
3And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?
2Wherefore *the people did chide with Moses and said, Giue vs water that wee may drinke. And Moses said vnto them, Why chide you with mee? Wherefore doe ye tempt the LORD?
3And the people thirsted there for water, and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought vs vp out of Egypt, to kill vs and our children, and our cattell with thirst?
- Genesis 21:16–19Rank 5 from verse 25
16And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.
17And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.
18Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation.
19And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.
16And she went, and sate her downe ouer against him, a good way off, as it were a bow shoot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And shee sate ouer against him, and lift vp her voice, and wept.
17And God heard the voice of the lad, and the Angel of God called to Hagar out of heauen, and said vnto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? feare not: for God hath heard the voice of the ladde, where he is.
18Arise, lift vp the lad, and hold him in thine hand: for I will make him a great nation.
19And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water, and shee went, and filled the bottle with water, and gaue the lad drinke.
- Luke 2:10–11Rank 6 from verse 25
10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
10And the Angel said vnto them, Feare not: For behold, I bring you good tidings of great ioy, which shall be to all people.
11For vnto you is borne this day, in the citie of Dauid, a Sauiour, which is Christ the Lord.
- Nahum 1:15Rank 7 from verse 25
15Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.
15Behold vpon the *mountaines the feete of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace. O Iudah †keepe thy solemne feasts, performe thy vowes: for the †wicked shall no more passe through thee, he is vtterly cut off.
- Revelation 21:6Rank 8 from verse 25
6And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
6And he said vnto mee, It is done: *I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. *I will giue vnto him that is athirst, of the fountaine of the water of life, freely.
- 1 Timothy 1:15Rank 9 from verse 25
- 2 Samuel 23:15Rank 10 from verse 25
- Isaiah 52:7Rank 11 from verse 25
7¶ How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
7¶ *How beautifull vpon the mountaines are the feete of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth saluation, that sayth vnto Zion, Thy God reigneth?
- Isaiah 55:1Rank 12 from verse 25
1HO, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
1¶ *Ho, euery one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money: come ye, buy and eate, yea come, buy wine and milke without money, and without price.
- Jeremiah 18:14Rank 13 from verse 25
14Will a man leave the snow of Lebanon which cometh from the rock of the field? or shall the cold flowing waters that come from another place be forsaken?
14‖*Will a man leaue the snow of Lebanon which commeth from the rocke of the fielde? or shall the colde flowing waters that come from another place, be forsaken?
- Judges 15:18–19Rank 15 from verse 25
18¶ And he was sore athirst, and called on the Lord, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?
19But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived: wherefore he called the name thereof En-hakkore, which is in Lehi unto this day.
18¶ And hee was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast giuen this great deliuerance into the hand of thy seruant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the vncircumcised?
19But God claue an hollow place that was in ‖the iawe, and there came water thereout, & when he had drunke, his spirit came againe, and he reuiued: wherefore hee called the name thereof †En-hakkore, which is in Lehi, vnto this day:
- Psalms 42:1–2Rank 16 from verse 25
1AS the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
2My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
1¶ As the Hart panteth after the water brookes, so panteth my soule after thee, O God.
2My soule thirsteth for God, for the liuing God: when shall I come and appeare before God?
- Exodus 17:6Rank 17 from verse 25
6Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.
6*Behold, I will stand before thee there, vpon the rocke in Horeb, and thou shalt smite the rocke, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drinke. And Moses did so, in the sight of the Elders of Israel.
- Revelation 22:17Rank 18 from verse 25
17And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
17And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come. And let him that heareth, say, Come. *And let him that is a thirst, come. And whosoeuer will, let him take the water of life freely.
WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE
Definitions
Open a word for its full definition and concordance.
DEFINED WORDS
Proverbs 25:21
Feeling need or desire for food; lacking food.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
To grant, hand, offer, supply, yield, or cause to have.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
To take food into the body; to consume, devour, or waste away.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Needing water because of dryness; or strongly desiring something.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: The common liquid necessary for life. Sense 2: As a verb, to supply with water, irrigate, or cause to drink.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
DEFINED WORDS
Proverbs 25:22
1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Sense 1: A pile, mound, or gathered accumulation. Sense 2: To gather, pile, or accumulate.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Pieces of wood or other combustible matter that are burning, ignited, or charred.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Burning flame and heat that gives light, consumes, purifies, or destroys.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. Marks the person, place, thing, or basis to which something is related: on or onto; above or over; toward or against as the target of action, speech, thought, attention, or force; resting on, assigned to, or affecting as a state, gift, burden, duty, guilt, or judgment; supported by or based on; or one placed, added, or repeated on or after another. 2. With a stated time or occasion, or a preceding event, at that time or point, or at or after that event: on, at, when, then, or following it.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
The upper part of the body; a chief, source, summit, or leading position.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
The divine name of the living God, also named JEHOVAH.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Sense 1: A benefit, payment, honour, punishment, or recompense given or received. Sense 2: As a verb, to give such a return.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
DEFINED WORDS
Proverbs 25:23
The direction or quarter opposite south; the side or region toward that quarter.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Air in motion; a current of air. Sense 2: Breath or a movement of air from breathing. Sense 3: By figure, something empty, unstable, or passing.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Third-person singular present form of drive (to force, urge, guide, or cause to move forward).
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Water falling in drops from the clouds. Sense 2: As a verb, to fall or pour down like rain.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Third-person singular present form of do: does.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Feeling or showing anger; wrathful or provoked.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
COMBINED MEANING
countenance
1. The face, or its appearance or expression. 2. Favour, regard, or presence expressed toward someone. 3. To favour or support.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
COMBINED MEANING
backbiting
Slandering someone who is absent.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
1. The organ of the mouth used for tasting and speech. 2. Speech, words, or a language. 3. A tongue-shaped projection or arm of land or water.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references
To speak reproachfully, maliciously, or injuriously of another, especially behind the person’s back; a backbiter is one who does so.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
DEFINED WORDS
Proverbs 25:24
Sense 1: More excellent, more fitting, or to a greater degree. Sense 2: To improve or make better.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Noisily quarrelsome, contentious, angry, or given to strife.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Sense 1: Broad, spacious, or opened to a great extent. Sense 2: As an adverb, fully or far apart.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Sense 1: A building or dwelling. Sense 2: The people of a household or family. Sense 3: A lineage or family line. Sense 4: As a verb, to shelter, lodge, or provide a dwelling for.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
DEFINED WORDS
Proverbs 25:25
Sense 1: Without warmth or heat. Sense 2: As a noun, chill or the condition that causes it. Sense 3: Figuratively, lacking fervent love or spiritual zeal.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Needing water because of dryness; or strongly desiring something.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: A living person or creature; a life or self. Sense 2: The inward self distinguished from the body. Sense 3: The seat of desire or appetite.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Right, morally upright, beneficial, pleasing, useful, suitable, sound, favourable, or excellent. Sense 2: A good thing, benefit, welfare, possession, or goods. Sense 3: In ‘make good,’ to repair, repay, fulfil, establish, or prove.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Recent account; fresh information of something that has lately taken place at a distance, or of something before unknown; tidings.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
READ BEFORE AND AFTER
Surrounding Verses
Nearby Scripture remains separate from the selected passage until you add it.
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.
20 As hee that taketh away a garment in cold weather; and as vineger vpon nitre; so is he that singeth songs to an heauy heart.
21If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
21*If thine enemie be hungry, giue him bread to eate: and if hee be thirstie, giue him water to drinke.
Selected passage22For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.
22For thou shalt heape coales of fire vpon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
Selected passage23The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
23‖The North winde driueth away raine: so doeth an angrie countenance a backbiting tongue.
Selected passage24It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
24* It is better to dwell in a corner of the house top, then with a brawling woman, and in a wide house.
Selected passage25As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
25 As cold waters to a thirstie soule: so is good newes from a farre countrey.
Selected passage26A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
26A righteous man falling downe before the wicked, is as a troubled fountaine, aud a corrupt spring.