Proverbs 25

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

2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

3 As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable.

4 Take away the dross from silver, And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry.

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

6 Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of the great;

7 For it is better that he say to you, "Come up here," Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen.

8 Do not go hastily to court; For what will you do in the end, When your neighbor has put you to shame?

9 Debate your case with your neighbor, And do not disclose the secret to another;

10 Lest he who hears it expose your shame, And your reputation be ruined.

11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver.

12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear.

13 Like the cold of snow in time of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters.

14 Whoever falsely boasts of giving Is like clouds and wind without rain.

15 By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, And a gentle tongue breaks a bone.

16 Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, Lest you be filled with it and vomit.

17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house, Lest he become weary of you and hate you.

18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor Is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.

19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint.

20 Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather, And like vinegar on soda, Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;

22 For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the Lord will reward you.

23 The north wind brings forth rain, And a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.

24 It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

25 As cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a far country.

26 A righteous man who falters before the wicked Is like a murky spring and a polluted well.

27 It is not good to eat much honey; So to seek one's own glory is not glory.

28 Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, 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.