16 If you find honey, eat just enough- too much of it, and you will vomit.

17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house- too much of you, and they will hate you.

18 Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.

19 Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.

20 Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on a wound, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

Other Translations of Proverbs 25:16-21

King James Version

16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

17 Withdraw Withdraw...: or, Let thy foot be seldom in thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.

18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

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.

21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

English Standard Version

16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.

17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.

18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.

19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.

20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,

The Message

16 When you're given a box of candy, don't gulp it all down; eat too much chocolate and you'll make yourself sick;

17 And when you find a friend, don't outwear your welcome; show up at all hours and he'll soon get fed up.

18 Anyone who tells lies against the neighbors in court or on the street is a loose cannon.

19 Trusting a double-crosser when you're in trouble is like biting down on an abscessed tooth.

20 Singing light songs to the heavyhearted is like pouring salt in their wounds.

21 If you see your enemy hungry, go buy him lunch; if he's thirsty, bring him a drink.

New King James Version

16 Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, Lest you be filled with it and vomit.

17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house, Lest he become weary of you and hate you.

18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor Is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.

19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint.

20 Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather, And like vinegar on soda, Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;

New Living Translation

16 Do you like honey? Don't eat too much, or it will make you sick!

17 Don't visit your neighbors too often, or you will wear out your welcome.

18 Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow.

19 Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot.

20 Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart is like taking someone's coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar in a wound.

21 If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 25:16-21

Commentary on Proverbs 25:16

(Read Proverbs 25:16)

God has given us leave to use grateful things, but we are cautioned against excess.

Commentary on Proverbs 25:17

(Read Proverbs 25:17)

We cannot be upon good terms with our neighbours, without discretion as well as sincerity. How much better a Friend is God than any other friend! The oftener we come to him, the more welcome.

Commentary on Proverbs 25:18

(Read Proverbs 25:18)

A false testimony is dangerous in every thing.

Commentary on Proverbs 25:19

(Read Proverbs 25:19)

Confidence in an unfaithful man is painful and vexatious; when we put any stress on him, he not only fails, but makes us feel for it.

Commentary on Proverbs 25:20

(Read Proverbs 25:20)

We take a wrong course if we think to relieve those in sorrow by endeavouring to make them merry.

Commentary on Proverbs 25:21-22

(Read Proverbs 25:21-22)

The precept to love even our enemies is an Old Testament commandment. Our Saviour has shown his own great example in loving us when we were enemies.