Proverbs 25:15-28 New International Version (NIV)
15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. 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. 22 In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you. 23 Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look. 24 Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. 25 Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. 26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked. 27 It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep. 28 Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control. Tuesday - July 14 - Proverbs 25:15-28 This section has several verses on how we should treat others. We shouldn’t overstay our welcome so that our hosts get sick of us (17). We should not lie about our neighbor because we could seriously hurt their reputation or their spirit (18). Verse 21-22 echoes Jesus in Matthew 5:44 and Paul in Romans 12:20 where we are
commanded to love our neighbors. Just as Jesus loved us, God’s enemies who
rebelled against him (Romans 5:8), we also should love those who hate us. We
should give our neighbors and those who hurt us “good news” that fills their thirsty
soul (25). Who in your life needs to be loved and refreshed with forgiveness,
undeserved grace and love? How can you give that to them?