Proverbs 25

1 These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.

2 It is the glory of God to conceal the word, but the honour of kings is to search out the word.

3 For the height of the heavens and depth of the earth and for the heart of kings, there is no investigation.

4 Take away the dross from the silver, and a vessel shall come forth for the finer.

5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

6 Do not praise thyself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men;

7 for it is better that it be said unto thee, Come up here than that thou should be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.

8 Do not go forth hastily to strive lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof when thy neighbour has put thee to shame.

9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself and do not uncover the secret to another

10 lest he that hears it put thee to shame and thine infamy not turn away.

11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold inscribed with silver.

12 As an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold, so is he who reproves a wise man who has a docile ear.

13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those that send him, for he refreshes the soul of his master.

14 Whosoever boasts in a gift of falsehood is like clouds and wind without rain.

15 By long forbearing a prince is persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks the bones.

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

17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house lest he be weary of thee and so hate thee.

18 A man that bears 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 takes away a garment in cold weather and as vinegar upon soap, so is he that sings songs to a heavy heart.

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

22 for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.

23 The north wind drives away rain, so does an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain and a corrupt spring.

27 It is not good to eat much honey, so for men to search their own glory is not glory.

28 The man whose spirit has no restraint is like a city that is broken down and without 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.