Proverbs 25

1 These also are proverbs of Shlomo; the men of Hizkiyah king of Y'hudah copied them out:

2 God gets glory from concealing things; kings get glory from investigating things.

3 Like the sky for height or the earth for depth is the heart of kings - unfathomable.

4 Remove the impurities from the silver, and the smith has material to make a vessel.

5 Remove the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will rest firmly on righteousness.

6 Don't put yourself forward in the king's presence; don't take a place among the great.

7 For it is better to be told, "Come up here,"than be degraded in the presence of a nobleman. What your eyes have seen,

8 don't rush to present in a dispute. For what will you do later on, if your neighbor puts you to shame?

9 Discuss your dispute with your neighbor, but don't reveal another person's secrets.

10 If you do, and he hears of it, he will disgrace you, and your bad reputation will stick.

11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word appropriately spoken.

12 Like a gold earring, like a fine gold necklace is a wise reprover to a receptive ear.

13 Like the coldness of snow in the heat of the harvest is a faithful messenger to the one who sends him; he refreshes his master's spirit.

14 Like clouds and wind that bring no rain is he who boasts of gifts he never gives.

15 With patience a ruler may be won over, and a gentle tongue can break bones.

16 If you find honey, eat only what you need; for if you eat too much of it, you may throw it up;

17 so don't visit your neighbor too much, or he may get his fill of you and come to hate you.

18 Like a club, a sword or a sharp arrow is a person who gives false testimony against a neighbor.

19 Relying on an untrustworthy person in a time of trouble is like [relying on] a broken tooth or an unsteady leg.

20 Like removing clothes on a chilly day or like vinegar on soda is someone who sings songs to a heavy heart.

21 If someone who hates you is hungry, give him food to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

22 For you will heap fiery coals [of shame] on his head, and ADONAI will reward you.

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

24 It is better to live on a corner of the roof than to share the house with a nagging wife.

25 Like cold water to a person faint from thirst is good news from a distant land.

26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous person who gives way before the wicked.

27 It isn't good to eat too much honey or to seek honor after honor.

28 Like a city breached, without walls, is a person 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.