Proverbs 25:5

Listen to Proverbs 25:5
5 take away 1the wicked from the presence of the king, and his 2throne 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.

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Proverbs 25:5 In-Context

3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart 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

Cross References 2

  • 1. 25:5 [ch. 20:8]
  • 2. 25:5 See ch. 16:12
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025