Proverbs 25 ESV | WeDevote Bible

More Proverbs of Solomon

1These also are 25:1 See ch. 1:1proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.

2It is the glory of God to 25:2 [Deut. 29:29; Rom. 11:33] conceal things,

but the glory of kings is to 25:2 Job 29:16search things out.

3As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,

so the heart of kings is 25:3 [Ps. 145:3]unsearchable.

4Take away 25:4 [Ezek. 22:18; 2 Tim. 2:20, 21] the dross from the silver,

and 25:4 [Mal. 3:2, 3]the smith has material for a vessel;

5take away 25:5 [ch. 20:8] the wicked from the presence of the king,

and his 25:5 See ch. 16:12throne will be established in righteousness.

6Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence

or stand in the place of the great,

7for 25:7 See Luke 14:8-11it is better to be told, “Come up here,”

than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.

What your eyes have seen

825:8 Matt. 5:25; Luke 12:58; [ch. 17:14]do not hastily bring into court,25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court

for25:8 Hebrew or else what will you do in the end,

when your neighbor puts you to shame?

925:9 Matt. 18:15Argue your case with your neighbor himself,

and do not reveal another’s secret,

10lest he who hears you bring shame upon you,

and your ill repute have no end.

1125:11 ch. 15:23; [Isa. 50:4]A word fitly spoken

is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

12Like 25:12 [Gen. 24:22] a gold ring or an ornament of gold

is a wise reprover to 25:12 ch. 15:31; 20:12a listening ear.

13Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest

is 25:13 ch. 13:17a faithful messenger to those who send him;

he refreshes the soul of his masters.

14Like 25:14 Jude 12clouds and wind without rain

is a man who 25:14 ch. 20:6boasts of a gift he does not give.

15With 25:15 ch. 15:1; 16:14; [Eccles. 10:4]patience a ruler may be persuaded,

and a soft tongue will break a bone.

16If you have 25:16 [Judg. 14:8; 1 Sam. 14:25] found honey, eat 25:16 [ver. 27]only enough for you,

lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.

17Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house,

lest he have his fill of you and hate you.

18A man who 25:18 [ch. 24:28] bears false witness against his neighbor

is like a war club, or 25:18 ch. 12:18; See Ps. 57:4a sword, or a sharp arrow.

19Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble

is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.

20Whoever 25:20 [Rom. 12:15]sings songs to a heavy heart

is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,

and like vinegar on soda.

2125:21 Cited Rom. 12:20; [2 Kgs. 6:22; 2 Chr. 28:15]; See Ex. 23:4, 5If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,

and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,

22for you will heap 25:22 Ps. 140:10burning coals on his head,

and the Lord will reward you.

23The north wind brings forth rain,

and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.

2425:24 ch. 21:9It is better to live in a corner of the housetop

than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

25Like cold water to 25:25 [Ps. 42:2] a thirsty soul,

so is 25:25 ch. 15:30good news from a far country.

26Like 25:26 [Ezek. 32:2; 34:18, 19]a muddied spring or a polluted fountain

is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

27It is 25:27 [ver. 16] not good to eat much honey,

nor is it glorious to 25:27 [ch. 27:2]seek one’s own glory.25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain

28A man 25:28 [ch. 16:32] without self-control

is like 25:28 [2 Chr. 32:5; 36:19; Neh. 1:3]a city broken into and left without walls.

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