Mishle 25

1 5 These are also mishlei Sh’lomo, which the anashim of Chizkiyah Melech Yehudah copied out:

2 It is the Kavod Elohim to conceal a thing, but the kavod melachim is to search out a matter.

3 The Shomayim for height, and Eretz for depth, so the lev melachim is unsearchable.

4 Take away the dross from the kesef, and there shall come forth a vessel for the tzoref (silversmith);

5 Take away the rasha from before Melech, and his kisse shall be established in tzedek.

6 Do not exalt thyself in the presence of Melech, and stand not in the makom (place) of gedolim;

7 For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up here, than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the noble whom thine eynayim have seen.

8 Go not forth hastily to bring a lawsuit, lest thou know not what to do in the acharit thereof, when thy re’a hath put thee to shame.

9 Plead thy cause with thy re’a himself; and betray not a sod (confidence) to another,

10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and the evil report of thee never depart.

11 A word aptly spoken is like tapukhim (apples) of zahav in settings of kesef.

12 As a nezem (earring) of zahav, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a mochi’ach chacham (a wise reprover) upon an obedient ozen.

13 As the cold of sheleg (snow) in the yom katzir (day of harvest), so is a tzir ne’eman (faithful envoy) to them that send him; for he refresheth the nefesh of his adonim.

14 He who boasteth falsely of giving is like clouds and ruach (wind) without geshem (rain).

15 By forbearance is a katzin (ruler) persuaded, and a gentle lashon breaketh the bone.

16 Hast thou found devash? Eat only as much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it out.

17 Let thy regel (foot) seldom be in thy neighbor’s bais; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.

18 An ish that beareth ed sheker (false witness) against his re’a is a club, and a cherev, and a sharp khetz (arrow).

19 Confidence in a boged in the yom tzarah is like a shen ra’ah (bad tooth), and a regel out of joint.

20 As he that taketh away a beged (garment) on a cold day, and as chometz (vinegar) upon lye, so is he that singeth shirim (songs) to a lev rah (heavy heart, i.e., depressed person).

21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him lechem to eat, and if he be thirsty, give him mayim to drink;

22 For so shalt thou heap hot coals upon his rosh, and Hashem shall reward thee.

23 The ruach tzafon (north wind) brings forth geshem; so doth a lashon seter (backbiting tongue) bring an angry countenance.

24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the gag (roof), than in a bais shared with a quarrelsome isha.

25 As cold mayim to a weary nefesh, so is good news from a far country.

26 A tzaddik who falters before the rasha is like a muddy spring, and a polluted makor (fountain).

27 It is not tov to eat much devash; so for men to seek their own kavod is not glory.

28 He that hath no rule over his own ruach is like an ir that is broken down, and without a chomah (wall).

Mishle 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.