Proverbs 25

1 These are the miscellaneous instructions of Solomon, which the friends of Ezekias king of Judea copied out.

2 The glory of God conceals a matter: but the glory of a king honours business.

3 Heaven is high, and earth is deep, and a king's heart is unsearchable.

4 Beat the drossy silver, and it shall be made entirely pure.

5 Slay the ungodly from before the king, and his throne shall prosper in righteousness.

6 Be not boastful in the presence of the king, and remain not in the places of princes;

7 for better for thee that it should be said, Come up to me, than that should humble thee in the presence of the prince; speak of that which thine eyes have seen.

8 Get not suddenly into a quarrel, lest thou repent at last.

9 Whenever thy friend shall reproach thee, retreat backward, despise not;

10 lest thy friend continue to reproach thee, so thy quarrel and enmity shall not depart, but shall be to thee like death. Favour and friendship set free, which do thou keep for thyself, lest thou be made liable to reproach; but take heed to thy ways peaceably.

11 a golden apple in a necklace of sardius, so to speak a word.

12 In an ear-ring of gold a precious sardius is also set; a wise word to an obedient ear.

13 As a fall of snow in the time of harvest is good against heat, so a faithful messenger those that send him; for he helps the souls of his employers.

14 As winds and clouds and rains are most evident , so is he that boasts of a false gift.

15 In long-suffering is prosperity to kings, and a soft tongue breaks the bones.

16 Having found honey, eat what is enough, lest haply thou be filled, and vomit it up.

17 Enter sparingly into thy friend's house, lest he be satiated with thy company, and hate thee.

18 a club, and a dagger, and a pointed arrow, so also is a man who bears false witness against his friend.

19 The way of the wicked and the foot of the transgressor shall perish in an evil day.

20 As vinegar is bad for a sore, so trouble befalling the body afflicts the heart. As a moth in a garment, and a worm in wood, so the grief of a man hurts the heart.

21 If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink;

22 for so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee good.

23 The north wind raises clouds; so an impudent face provokes the tongue.

24 better to dwell on a corner of the roof, than with a railing woman in an open house.

25 As cold water is agreeable to a thirsting soul, so is a good message from a land far off.

26 As if one should stop a well, and corrupt a spring of water, so unseemly for a righteous man to fall before an ungodly man.

27 not good to eat much honey; but it is right to honour venerable sayings.

28 As a city whose walls are broken down, and which is unfortified, so is a man who does anything without counsel.

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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Possibly genuine, q. d. beyond doubt.