Proverbs 25

1 There are also these proverbs of Solomon, collected by scribes of Hezekiah, king of Judah.

2 God delights in concealing things; scientists delight in discovering things.

3 Like the horizons for breadth and the ocean for depth, the understanding of a good leader is broad and deep.

4 Remove impurities from the silver and the silversmith can craft a fine chalice;

5 Remove the wicked from leadership and authority will be credible and God-honoring.

6 Don't work yourself into the spotlight; don't push your way into the place of prominence.

7 It's better to be promoted to a place of honor than face humiliation by being demoted.

8 Don't jump to conclusions - there may be a perfectly good explanation for what you just saw.

9 In the heat of an argument, don't betray confidences;

10 Word is sure to get around, and no one will trust you.

11 The right word at the right time is like a custom-made piece of jewelry,

12 And a wise friend's timely reprimand is like a gold ring slipped on your finger.

13 Reliable friends who do what they say are like cool drinks in sweltering heat - refreshing!

14 Like billowing clouds that bring no rain is the person who talks big but never produces.

15 Patient persistence pierces through indifference; gentle speech breaks down rigid defenses. A Person Without Self-Control

16 When you're given a box of candy, don't gulp it all down; eat too much chocolate and you'll make yourself sick;

17 And when you find a friend, don't outwear your welcome; show up at all hours and he'll soon get fed up.

18 Anyone who tells lies against the neighbors in court or on the street is a loose cannon.

19 Trusting a double-crosser when you're in trouble is like biting down on an abscessed tooth.

20 Singing light songs to the heavyhearted is like pouring salt in their wounds.

21 If you see your enemy hungry, go buy him lunch; if he's thirsty, bring him a drink.

22 Your generosity will surprise him with goodness, and God will look after you.

23 A north wind brings stormy weather, and a gossipy tongue stormy looks.

24 Better to live alone in a tumbledown shack than share a mansion with a nagging spouse.

25 Like a cool drink of water when you're worn out and weary is a letter from a long-lost friend.

26 A good person who gives in to a bad person is a muddied spring, a polluted well.

27 It's not smart to stuff yourself with sweets, nor is glory piled on glory good for you.

28 A person without self-control is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out.

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.