Proverbs 25

1 These also are Solomon's proverbs that were copied by the men of King Hezekiah of Judah.

2 It is the glory of God to hide things but the glory of kings to investigate them.

3 [Like] the high heavens and the deep earth, so the mind of kings is unsearchable.

4 Take the impurities out of silver, and a vessel is ready for the silversmith to mold.

5 Take a wicked person away from the presence of a king, and justice will make his throne secure.

6 Do not brag about yourself in front of a king or stand in the spot that belongs to notable people,

7 because it is better to be told, "Come up here," than to be put down in front of a prince whom your eyes have seen.

8 Do not be in a hurry to go to court. What will you do in the end if your neighbor disgraces you?

9 Present your argument to your neighbor, but do not reveal another person's secret.

10 Otherwise, when he hears about it, he will humiliate you, and his evil report about you will never disappear.

11 [Like] golden apples in silver settings, [so] is a word spoken at the right time.

12 [Like] a gold ring and a fine gold ornament, [so] is constructive criticism to the ear of one who listens.

13 Like the coolness of snow on a harvest day, [so] is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him: He refreshes his masters.

14 [Like] a dense fog or a dust storm, [so] is a person who brags about a gift that he does not give.

15 With patience you can persuade a ruler, and a soft tongue can break bones.

16 When you find honey, eat only as much as you need. Otherwise, you will have too much and vomit.

17 Do not set foot in your neighbor's house too often. Otherwise, he will see too much of you and hate you.

18 [Like] a club and a sword and a sharp arrow, [so] is a person who gives false testimony against his neighbor.

19 [Like] a broken tooth and a lame foot, [so] is confidence in an unfaithful person in a [time of] crisis.

20 [Like] taking off a coat on a cold day or pouring vinegar on baking soda, so is singing songs to one who has an evil heart.

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him some food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him some water to drink.

22 [In this way] you will make him feel guilty and ashamed, and the LORD will reward you.

23 [As] the north wind brings rain, so a whispering tongue brings angry looks.

24 Better to live on a corner of a roof than to share a home with a quarreling woman.

25 [Like] cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from far away.

26 [Like] a muddied spring and a polluted well, [so] is a righteous person who gives in to a wicked person.

27 Eating too much honey is not good, and searching for honor is not honorable.

28 [Like] a city broken into [and] left without a wall, [so] 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.