Proverbs 25

1 These are other proverbs of Solomon that the officials of King Hezekiah of Judah copied.

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

3 Like the heavens for height, like the earth for depth, so the mind of kings is unsearchable.

4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;

5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.

6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great;

7 for it is better to be told, "Come up here," than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen

8 do not hastily bring into court; for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?

9 Argue your case with your neighbor directly, and do not disclose another's secret;

10 or else someone who hears you will bring shame upon you, and your ill repute will have no end.

11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise rebuke to a listening ear.

13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest are faithful messengers to those who send them; they refresh the spirit of their masters.

14 Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of a gift never given.

15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue can break bones.

16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, or else, having too much, you will vomit it.

17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, otherwise the neighbor will become weary of you and hate you.

18 Like a war club, a sword, or a sharp arrow is one who bears false witness against a neighbor.

19 Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is trust in a faithless person in time of trouble.

20 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.

21 If your enemies are hungry, give them bread to eat; and if they are thirsty, give them water to drink;

22 for you will heap coals of fire on their heads, and the Lord will reward you.

23 The north wind produces rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.

24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a contentious wife.

25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain are the righteous who give way before the wicked.

27 It is not good to eat much honey, or to seek honor on top of honor.

28 Like a city breached, without walls, is one who lacks self-control.

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]. Cn: Heb [or else]
• [b]. Gk: Heb [Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, like vinegar on lye]
• [c]. Gk Syr Tg: Heb lacks [Like a moth . . . human heart]