Proverbs Chapter 25
From The Open Bible Project
25:1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
- (a) Whom Hezekiah appointed for this purpose.
- (b) That is, gathered out of various books of Solomon.
25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
- (c) God does not reveal the cause of his judgments to man.
- (d) Because the king rules by the revealed word of God, the cause of his doings must appear, and therefore he must use diligence in trying causes.
25:3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
- (e) He shows that it is too hard for man to attain the reason of all the secret doings of the king, even when he is upright and does his duty.
25:4 Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner;
- (f) When vice is removed from a king, he is a meet vessel for the Lord’s use.
25:5 Take away the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
- (g) It is not enough that he is pure himself, but that he put away others who are corrupted.
25:6 Don't exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men;
25:7 for it is better that it be said to you, "Come up here," than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen.
25:8 Don't be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
25:9 Debate your case with your neighbor, and don't betray the confidence of another;
25:10 lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.
- (h) Lest while you think by this means to have an end of the matter, it put you to further trouble.
25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
25:12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
25:13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
- (i) In the time of great heat, when men desire cold.
25:14 As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
- (k) Which have an outward appearance, and are nothing within.
25:15 By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
- (l) By not creating opportunity to provoke him further.
- (m) That is, the heart that is bent to anger, as in (Proverbs 15:1).
25:16 Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
- (n) Use moderately the pleasures of this world.
25:17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
25:18 A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
25:19 Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth, or a lame foot.
25:20 As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
- (o) Which melts it, and consumes it.
25:21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink:
25:22 for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and Yahweh will reward you.
- (p) You will, as if by force, overcome him, in so much that his own conscience will move him to acknowledge the benefits, and his heart will be inflamed.
25:23 The north wind brings forth rain: so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
25:24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25:25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
25:26 Like a muddied spring, and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
25:27 It is not good to eat much honey; nor is it honorable to seek one's own honor.
25:28 Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
- (q) And so is in extreme danger.
