Proverbs 25

Similitudes, Instructions

1 These also are 1proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed.
2 It is the glory of God to 2conceal a matter, But the glory of 3kings is to search out a matter.
3 As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable *.
4 Take away the 4dross from the silver, And there comes out a vessel for the 5smith;
5 Take away the 6wicked before the king, And his 7throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Do not claim honor in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of great men;
7 For 8it is better that it be said to you, "Come up here," Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen.
8 Do not go out 9hastily to argue your case; Otherwise, what will you do in the end, When your neighbor humiliates you?
9 10Argue your case with your neighbor, And 11do not reveal the secret of another,
10 Or he who hears it will reproach you, And the evil report about you will not pass away.
11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a 12word spoken in right circumstances.
12 Like an 13earring of gold and an 14ornament of 15fine gold Is a wise reprover to a 16listening ear.
13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest Is a 17faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Like 18clouds and 19wind without rain Is a man who boasts of his gifts falsely.
15 By 20forbearance * a ruler may be persuaded, And a soft tongue breaks the bone.
16 Have you 21found honey? Eat only what you need, That you not have it in excess and vomit it.
17 Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor's house, Or he will become weary of you and hate you.
18 Like a club and a 22sword and a sharp 23arrow Is a man who bears 24false witness against his neighbor.
19 Like a bad tooth and an unsteady foot Is confidence in a 25faithless man in time of trouble.
20 Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on soda, Is he who sings songs to a troubled heart.
21 26If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 For you will heap burning coals on his head, And 27the LORD will reward you.
23 The north wind brings forth rain, And a 28backbiting tongue, an angry countenance.
24 It is 29better to live in a corner of the roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
25 Like cold water to a weary soul, So is 30good news from a distant land.
26 Like a 31trampled spring and a polluted well Is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat much honey, Nor is it glory to 32search out one's own glory.
28 Like a 33city that is broken into and without walls Is a man 34who has no control over his spirit.

Cross References 34

  • 1. Proverbs 1:1
  • 2. Deuteronomy 29:29; Romans 11:33
  • 3. Ezra 6:1
  • 4. Proverbs 26:23; Ezekiel 22:18
  • 5. Malachi 3:2, 3
  • 6. Proverbs 20:8
  • 7. Proverbs 16:12
  • 8. Luke 14:7-11
  • 9. Proverbs 17:14; Matthew 5:25
  • 10. Matthew 18:15
  • 11. Proverbs 11:13
  • 12. Proverbs 15:23
  • 13. Exodus 32:2; Exodus 35:22; Ezekiel 16:12
  • 14. 2 Samuel 1:24
  • 15. Job 28:17
  • 16. Proverbs 15:31; Proverbs 20:12
  • 17. Proverbs 13:17
  • 18. Jude 12
  • 19. Jeremiah 5:13; Micah 2:11
  • 20. Genesis 32:4; 1 Samuel 25:24; Ecclesiastes 10:4
  • 21. Judges 14:8; 1 Samuel 14:25
  • 22. Psalms 57:4; Proverbs 12:18
  • 23. Jeremiah 9:8
  • 24. Exodus 20:16; Proverbs 24:28
  • 25. Job 6:15; Isaiah 36:6
  • 26. Exodus 23:4, 5; 2 Kings 6:22; 2 Chronicles 28:15; Matthew 5:44; Romans 12:20
  • 27. 2 Samuel 16:12; Matthew 6:4, 6
  • 28. Psalms 101:5
  • 29. Proverbs 21:9
  • 30. Proverbs 15:30
  • 31. Ezekiel 32:2; Ezekiel 34:18, 19
  • 32. Proverbs 27:2; Luke 14:11
  • 33. Proverbs 16:32
  • 34. 2 Chronicles 32:5; Nehemiah 1:3

Footnotes 21

Proverbs 25 Commentaries

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