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11 Timely advice is lovely,
    like golden apples in a silver basket.

12 To one who listens, valid criticism
    is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.

13 Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer.
    They revive the spirit of their employer.

14 A person who promises a gift but doesn’t give it
    is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.

15 Patience can persuade a prince,
    and soft speech can break bones.

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.[a]

21 If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat.
    If they are thirsty, give them water to drink.
22 You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads,
    and the Lord will reward you.

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Footnotes

  1. 25:20 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads pouring vinegar on soda.

11 El consejo oportuno es precioso,
    como manzanas de oro en canasta de plata.

12 La crítica constructiva es, para quien la escucha,
    como un pendiente u otras joyas de oro.

13 Los mensajeros confiables refrescan como la nieve en verano.
    Reviven el espíritu de su patrón.

14 La persona que promete un regalo pero nunca lo da
    es como las nubes y el viento que no traen lluvia.

15 La paciencia puede persuadir al príncipe,
    y las palabras suaves pueden quebrar los huesos.

16 ¿Te gusta la miel?
    ¡No comas demasiada, porque te darán ganas de vomitar!

17 No visites a tus vecinos muy seguido,
    porque se cansarán de ti y no serás bienvenido.

18 Decir mentiras acerca de otros
    es tan dañino como golpearlos con un hacha,
herirlos con una espada
    o lanzarles una flecha afilada.

19 Confiar en alguien inestable en tiempos de angustia
    es como masticar con un diente roto o caminar con un pie cojo.

20 Cantar canciones alegres a quien tiene el corazón afligido
    es como quitarle a alguien el abrigo cuando hace frío
    o echarle vinagre a una herida.[a]

21 Si tus enemigos tienen hambre, dales de comer.
    Si tienen sed, dales agua para beber.
22 Amontonarás carbones encendidos de vergüenza sobre su cabeza,
    y el Señor te recompensará.

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Footnotes

  1. 25:20 Así aparece en la versión griega; en hebreo echar vinagre sobre la soda.

11 Like apples[a] of gold in settings of silver(A)
    is a ruling rightly given.
12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold
    is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.(B)

13 Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time
    is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him;
    he refreshes the spirit of his master.(C)
14 Like clouds and wind without rain
    is one who boasts of gifts never given.

15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,(D)
    and a gentle tongue can break a bone.(E)

16 If you find honey, eat just enough—
    too much of it, and you will vomit.(F)
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.(G)
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(H) on his head,
    and the Lord will reward you.(I)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:11 Or possibly apricots