Proverbs 25:21
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, 1 and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, 1
Unlocked Literal Bible
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 you will shovel coals of fire on his head 1 and Yahweh will reward you. 1
Cross References
1 Samuel 24:20Now, I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand.
2 Chronicles 28:15The men who were assigned by name got up and took the prisoners, and clothed all who were naked among them with the plunder. They clothed them and gave them sandals. They gave them food to eat and drink. They treated their wounds and put the weak ones on donkeys. They took them back to their families in Jericho, (called the City of Palms). Then they returned to Samaria.
Proverbs 24:17Do not celebrate when your enemy falls 1 and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, 1
Matthew 5:44But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, + 5:44 The best ancient copies omit Bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you .
Romans 12:20“But if your enemy is hungry, feed him. 1 If he is thirsty, give him a drink. 1 For if you do this, you will heap coals of fire on 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 →