Proverbs 25:21
If your enemies are hungry, give them something to eat; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink;
Translation for Translators
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
22doing that will cause them to feel ashamed [IDM], and Yahweh will reward you for doing that.
Cross References
1 Samuel 24:20I know that some day you will surely become the king, and that your kingdom will prosper as you rule the Israeli people.
2 Chronicles 28:15The leaders who were selected took some of the clothes that the soldiers had taken from the prisoners and gave those clothes back to the people who were naked. They also gave to the prisoners sandals and other clothes and things to eat and drink, and they gave them olive oil to rub on their wounds. They gave donkeys to those who were very weak, in order that they could ride on them. Then they led them all to Jericho, the city that had many palm trees. Then those leaders of Israel returned to Samaria.
Proverbs 24:17Do not be happy when something bad happens to one of your enemies; do not rejoice when he stumbles and falls,
Matthew 5:44But now listen to what I say to you: Love your enemies as well as your friends, and pray for those who cause you to suffer.
Romans 12:20Instead of doing something evil to those who have done something evil to you, do as the Scriptures teach: “If your (sg) enemies are hungry, feed them! If they are thirsty, give them something to drink! By doing that, you (sg) will cause them to feel ashamed and perhaps they will change their attitude toward you [IDM].”
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 →