Proverbs 25

More Proverbs of Solomon

1 These are more proverbs of Solomon. They were copied down by the men of Hezekiah, the king of Judah.

2 When God hides a matter, he gets glory. When kings figure out a matter, they get glory.

3 The heavens are high and the earth is deep. In the same way, the minds of kings are hard to figure out.

4 Remove the scum from the silver. Then the master worker can make something.

5 Remove sinful people from where the king is. When he does what is right, his kingdom will be secure.

6 Don't brag in front of the king. Don't claim a place among great people.

7 Let the king say to you, "Come up here." That's better than for him to shame you in front of nobles. What you have seen with your own eyes

8 don't bring too quickly to court. What will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame?

9 If you talk about a matter with your neighbor, don't tell others what was said.

10 If you do, someone might hear it and put you to shame. Then no one will ever respect you again.

11 The right word at the right time is like golden apples in silver jewelry.

12 A wise person's warning to a listening ear is like a gold earring or jewelry made of fine gold.

13 A messenger trusted by those who send him is like cool snow at harvest time. He renews the spirit of his masters.

14 A man who brags about gifts he doesn't give is like wind and clouds that don't produce rain.

15 If you are patient, you can win an official over to your side. And gentle words can break a bone.

16 If you find honey, eat just enough. If you eat too much of it, you will throw up.

17 Don't go to your neighbor's home very often. If he sees too much of you, he will hate you.

18 A man who gives false witness against his neighbor is like a club, a sword or a sharp arrow.

19 Trusting someone who is not faithful when trouble comes is like a bad tooth or a disabled foot.

20 You may sing songs to a troubled heart. But that's like taking a coat away on a cold day. It's like pouring vinegar on baking soda.

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

22 By doing those things, you will pile up burning coals on his head. And the LORD will reward you.

23 The north wind brings rain. And a crafty tongue brings angry looks.

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

25 Hearing good news from a land far away is like drinking cold water when you are tired.

26 Sometimes a godly person gives in to those who are evil. Then he becomes like a muddy spring of water or a polluted well.

27 It isn't good for you to eat too much honey. And you shouldn't try to get others to honor you.

28 A man who can't control himself is like a city whose walls are broken down.

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.