Proverbs 25

1 These are also parables of Solomon, which the men of Ezechias, king of Juda, copied out.

2 It is the glory of God to conceal the word, and the glory of kings to search out the speech.

3 The heaven above and the earth beneath, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.

4 Take away the rust from silver, and there shall come forth a most pure vessel:

5 Take away wickedness from the face of the king, and his throne shall be established with justice.

6 Appear not glorious before the king, and stand not in the place of great men.

7 For it is better that it should be said to thee: Come up hither; than that thou shouldst be humbled before the prince.

8 The things which thy eyes have seen, utter not hastily in a quarrel: lest afterward thou mayst not be able to make amends, when thou hast dishonoured thy friend.

9 Treat thy cause with thy friend, and discover not the secret to a stranger:

10 Lest he insult over thee, when he hath heard it, and cease not to upbraid thee. Grace and friendship deliver a man: keep these for thyself, lest thou fall under reproach.

11 To speak a word in due time, is like apples of gold on beds of silver.

12 As an earring of gold and a bright pearl, so is he that reproveth the wise, and the obedient ear.

13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to him that sent him, for he refresheth his soul.

14 As clouds, and wind, when no rain followeth, so is the man that boasteth, and doth not fulfil his promises.

15 By patience a prince shall be appeased, and a soft tongue shall break hardness.

16 Thou hast found honey, eat what is sufficient for thee, lest being glutted therewith thou vomit it up.

17 Withdraw thy foot from the house of thy neighbour, lest having his fill he hate thee.

18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour, is like a dart and a sword and a sharp arrow.

19 To trust in an unfaithful man in the time of trouble, is like a rotten tooth, and weary foot,

20 And one that looseth his garment in cold weather. As vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a very evil heart. As a moth doth by a garment, and a worm by the wood: so the sadness of a man consumeth the heart.

21 If thy enemy be hungry, give him to eat: if he thirst, give him water to drink:

22 For thou shalt heap hot coals upon his head, and the Lord will reward thee.

23 The north wind driveth away rain, as doth a sad countenance a backbiting tongue.

24 It is better to sit in a corner of the housetop: than with a brawling woman, and in a common house.

25 As cold water to a thirsty soul, so are good tidings from a far country.

26 A just man falling down before the wicked, is as a fountain troubled with the foot and a corrupted spring.

27 As it is not good for a man to eat much honey, so he that is a searcher of majesty shall be overwhelmed by glory.

28 As a city that lieth open and is not compassed with walls, so is a man that cannot refrain his own spirit in speaking.

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.