Proverbs 25:20 — Compare Translations
28 translations compared side by side
English (YLT) 1898 Young's Literal Translation by Robert Young
Whoso is taking away a garment in a cold day, [Is as] vinegar on nitre, And a singer of songs on a sad heart.
English ASV
As one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon soda, So is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart.
English Amplified
He who sings songs to a heavy heart is like him who lays off a garment in cold weather and like vinegar upon soda. [Dan. 6:18; Rom. 12:15.]
English Amplified Classic Bible 1987
He who sings songs to a heavy heart is like him who lays off a garment in cold weather and like vinegar upon soda. [Dan. 6:18; Rom. 12:15.]
English Berean Standard Bible (BSB) 2025
Like one who removes a garment on a cold day or vinegar poured on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
English CSB 2017 - Christian Standard Bible
Singing songs to a troubled heart is like taking off clothing on a cold day or like pouring vinegar on soda.
English Darby 1890 : Public Domain
[As] he that taketh off a garment in cold weather, [and as] vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a sad heart.
English EASY 2024
If you sing to a very sad man to make him happy, it only gives him more pain. It is like you are taking away his coat on a cold day, or you are putting vinegar on his wound.
English ERV 2006 - Only For Website
Singing happy songs to a sad person is as foolish as taking a coat off on a cold day or mixing soda and vinegar.
English ESV 2016 == The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles
Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.
English GNT (Good News Translation)
Singing to a person who is depressed is like taking off a person's clothes on a cold day or like rubbing salt in a wound.
English God's Word - GW 1995
{Like} taking off a coat on a cold day or pouring vinegar on baking soda, so is singing songs to one who has an evil heart.
English HCSB 2004 - Copyrighted Only For Website
Singing songs to a troubled heart is like taking off clothing on a cold day, or like [pouring] vinegar on soda.
English KJV 1611
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.
English LSB
Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on soda, Is he who sings songs to an aching heart.
English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)
Like he who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on a wound, so is he who sings songs to a heavy heart.
English NASB (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)
Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on soda, Is he who sings songs to a troubled heart.
English NASU 1989 - New American Standard Update - Only for Website
Like a moth in clothing, or a maggot in wood, sorrow gnaws at the human heart.
English NET Bible - 2005 (New English Translation)
Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website
You may sing songs to a troubled heart. But that's like taking a coat away on a cold day. It's like pouring vinegar on baking soda.
English NIV
Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on soda, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
English NKJ 1982
Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather, And like vinegar on soda, Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
English NLT
Singing cheerful songs to a person whose heart is heavy is as bad as stealing someone's jacket in cold weather or rubbing salt in a wound.
English NRSV 1989 - Only for website
Like vinegar on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. Like a moth in clothing or a worm in wood, sorrow gnaws at the human heart.
English Passion Translation Bible 2020
When you sing a song of joy to someone suffering in the deepest grief and heartache, it can be compared to disrobing in the middle of a blizzard or rubbing salt in a wound.
English RSV (Revised Standard Version)
He who sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on a wound.
English TL (The Living Bible) (1971)
Being happy-go-lucky around a person whose heart is heavy is as bad as stealing his jacket in cold weather or rubbing salt in his wounds.
English Tyndale 1537
Who so singeth a song to a wicked heart, clotheth him with rags in the cold, and poureth vinegar upon chalk.