Proverbs 25:21
If thine enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
A Conservative Version
In The King James Version
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
In Context
22For thou will heap coals of fire upon his head, and LORD will reward thee.
Cross References
1 Samuel 24:20And now, behold, I know that thou shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thy hand.
2 Chronicles 28:15And the men who have been mentioned by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all who were naked among them, and dressed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carrie
Proverbs 24:17Rejoice not when thine enemy falls, and let not thy heart be glad when he is overthrown,
Matthew 5:44But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,
Romans 12:20Therefore if thine enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him to drink. For by doing this thou will heap coals of fire upon his head.
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 25:21
20 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. 1. The absurdity here censured is singing songs to a heavy heart. Those that are in great sorrow are to be comforted by sympathizing with them, condoling with them, and concurring in their lamentation. If we take that method, the moving of our lips may assuage their grief ( Job xvi. 5 ); but we take a wrong course with them if we think to relieve them by being merry with them, and… Read the whole commentary →