Proverbs 25

1 haec quoque parabolae Salomonis quas transtulerunt viri Ezechiae regis Iuda

2 gloria Dei celare verbum et gloria regum investigare sermonem

3 caelum sursum et terra deorsum et cor regum inscrutabile

4 aufer robiginem de argento et egredietur vas purissimum

5 aufer impietatem de vultu regis et firmabitur iustitia thronus eius

6 ne gloriosus appareas coram rege et in loco magnorum ne steteris

7 melius est enim ut dicatur tibi ascende huc quam ut humilieris coram principe

8 quae viderunt oculi tui ne proferas in iurgio cito ne postea emendare non possis cum dehonestaveris amicum tuum

9 causam tuam tracta cum amico tuo et secretum extraneo non reveles

10 ne forte insultet tibi cum audierit et exprobrare non cesset

11 mala aurea in lectis argenteis qui loquitur verbum in tempore suo

12 inauris aurea et margaritum fulgens qui arguit sapientem et aurem oboedientem

13 sicut frigus nivis in die messis ita legatus fidelis ei qui misit eum animam illius requiescere facit

14 nubes et ventus et pluviae non sequentes vir gloriosus et promissa non conplens

15 patientia lenietur princeps et lingua mollis confringet duritiam

16 mel invenisti comede quod sufficit tibi ne forte saturatus evomas illud

17 subtrahe pedem tuum de domo proximi tui nequando satiatus oderit te

18 iaculum et gladius et sagitta acuta homo qui loquitur contra proximum suum testimonium falsum

19 dens putridus et pes lapsus qui sperat super infideli in die angustiae

20 et amittit pallium in die frigoris acetum in nitro et qui cantat carmina cordi pessimo

21 si esurierit inimicus tuus ciba illum et si sitierit da ei aquam bibere

22 prunam enim congregabis super caput eius et Dominus reddet tibi

23 ventus aquilo dissipat pluvias et facies tristis linguam detrahentem

24 melius est sedere in angulo domatis quam cum muliere litigiosa et in domo communi

25 aqua frigida animae sitienti et nuntius bonus de terra longinqua

26 fons turbatus pede et vena corrupta iustus cadens coram impio

27 sicut qui mel multum comedit non est ei bonum sic qui scrutator est maiestatis opprimitur gloria

28 sicut urbs patens et absque murorum ambitu ita vir qui non potest in loquendo cohibere spiritum suum

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.