Proverbs 25:5

5 remove wicked officials from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness.

Proverbs 25:5 in Other Translations

KJV
5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
ESV
5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
NLT
5 Remove the wicked from the king’s court, and his reign will be made secure by justice.
MSG
5 Remove the wicked from leadership and authority will be credible and God-honoring.
CSB
5 Remove the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.

Proverbs 25:5 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 25:5

Take away the wicked [from] before the king
Wicked ministers and counsellors; they are the "dross", worthless and useless; yea, hurtful and pernicious. The king is the "refiner", for whom the vessel is; the kingdom is the silver vessel refined; and which becomes much the better, when wicked men are removed from the court and cabinet council of kings; as well as the king is the happier, and his throne more firm and secure, as follows: and his throne shall be established in righteousness;
which he shall execute, wicked ministers being removed from him, who advised him to take unrighteous measures; and others being put in their room, who counsel him to do acts of justice; whereby his throne is secured, and he sits firm upon it, which before was tottering and shaking, and lie in great danger of being removed from it.

Proverbs 25:5 In-Context

3 As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4 Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
5 remove wicked officials from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness.
6 Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence, and do not claim a place among his great men;
7 it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,” than for him to humiliate you before his nobles. What you have seen with your eyes

Cross References 3

  • 1. S Proverbs 20:8
  • 2. S 2 Samuel 7:13
  • 3. S Proverbs 16:12; Proverbs 29:14
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