Proverbs 25

More proverbs of Solomon

1 These are also proverbs of Solomon, copied by the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah:

2 It is the glory of God to hide something and the glory of kings to discover something.

3 Like the high heavens and the depths of the earth, so the mind of a king is unsearchable.

4 Remove the dross from the silver, and a vessel will come out for the refiner.

5 Remove the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.

6 Don't exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or stand in the place of important people,

7 because it is better that he say to you, "Come up here," than to be demoted before a ruler. What your eyes see,

8 don't be quick to quarrel over; what will you do in the future when your neighbor shames you?

9 Argue it out with your neighbor, and don't give away someone's secret.

10 Otherwise, the one who hears it will vilify you; the slander against you will never stop.

11 Words spoken at the right time are like gold apples in a silver setting.

12 Wise correction to an ear that listens is like a gold earring or jewelry of fine gold.

13 Like the coolness of snow on a harvest day are reliable messengers to those who send them; they restore the life of their master.

14 People who brag about a gift never given are like clouds and wind that produce no rain.

15 A commander can be persuaded with patience, and a tender tongue can break a bone.

16 If you find honey, eat just the right amount; otherwise, you'll get full and vomit it up.

17 Don't spend too much time in your neighbor's house. Otherwise, they'll get fed up with you and hate you.

18 People who testify falsely against their neighbors are like a club, sword, and sharpened arrow.

19 Trusting a treacherous person at a difficult time is like having a bad tooth or a wobbly foot.

20 Singing a song to a troubled heart is like taking off a garment on a cold day or putting vinegar on a wound.

21 If your enemies are starving, feed them some bread; if they are thirsty, give them water to drink.

22 By doing this, you will heap burning coals on their heads, and the LORD will reward you.

23 The north wind stirs up rain, and a person who plots quietly provokes angry faces.

24 Better to live on the edge of a roof than to share a house with a contentious woman.

25 Good news from a distant land is like cold water for a weary person.

26 A righteous person giving in to the wicked is like a contaminated spring or a polluted fountain.

27 Eating too much honey isn't good, nor is it appropriate to seek honor.

28 A person without self-control is like a breached city, one with no walls.

Proverbs 25 Commentary

Chapter 25

Verses 1-3 God needs not search into any thing; nothing can be hid from him. But it is the honour of rulers to search out matters, ( proverbs 25:4-5 ) to suppress vice, and reform his people, is the best way to ( proverbs 25:6-7 ) self-denial. He who has seen the glory of the Lord in Christ Jesus, will feel his own unworthiness. ( 8-10 ) . To be hasty in beginning strife, will bring into difficulties. War must at length end, and might better be prevented. It is so in private ( proverbs 25:11-12 ) word of counsel, or reproof, rightly spoken, is especially beautiful, as fine fruit becomes still more beautiful in silver baskets. Verse 13 . See what ought to be the aim of him that is trusted with any business; to be faithful. A faithful minister, Christ's messenger, should be thus acceptable to us. Verse 14 . He who pretends to have received or given that which he never had, is like the morning cloud, that disappoints those who look for rain. Verse 15 . Be patient to bear a present hurt. Be mild to speak without passion; for persuasive language is the most effectual to prevail over the hardened mind. Verse 16 . God has given us leave to use grateful things, but we are cautioned against excess. Verse 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. Verse 18 . A false testimony is dangerous in every thing. Verse 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. Verse 20 . We take a wrong course if we think to relieve those in sorrow by endeavoring to make them merry. (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. Verse 23 . Slanders would not be so readily spoken, if they were not readily heard. Sin, if it receives any check, becomes cowardly. Verse 24 . It is better to be alone, than to be joined to one who is a hinderance to the comfort of life. Verse 25 . Heaven is a country afar off; how refreshing is good news from thence, in the everlasting gospel, which signifies glad tidings, and in the witness of the Spirit with our spirits that we are God's children! Verse 26 . When the righteous are led into sin, it is as hurtful as if the public fountains were poisoned. Verse 27 . We must be, through grace, dead to the pleasures of sense, and also to the praises of men. Verse 28 . The man who has no command over his anger, is easily robbed of peace. Let us give up ourselves to the Lord, and pray him to put his Spirit within us, and cause us to walk in his statutes.

Footnotes

• [a]. LXX; MT vinegar on natron (a detergent)