1 These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
7 For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:
10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
23 The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
27 It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
The book of Proverbs, found in the Old Testament of the KJV Holy Bible, is a collection of wise sayings and teachings that offer guidance and insight on how to live a virtuous and fulfilling life. Chapter 25 of this book continues this theme, with a focus on the qualities of a wise and righteous person. Through a series of proverbs, this chapter emphasizes the importance of humility, patience, and discernment in one's words and actions. It also touches on the dangers of pride, gossip, and anger. Ultimately, the message of this chapter is that true wisdom comes from the fear of the Lord and living a life that is guided by His teachings.
The first section of Chapter 25 emphasizes the importance of humility. Verse 6 states, "Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men." This verse cautions against pride and the desire to exalt oneself in the presence of those in positions of power or authority. It is a reminder to remain humble and recognize one's place in the grand scheme of things.
Verse 7 expands on this theme, stating, "For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen." This verse highlights the potential consequences of pride and arrogance. It is better to be humble and be invited to a higher position than to be humiliated and demoted in the presence of those in authority.
The idea of humility is further reinforced in verse 8, which states, "Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame." This verse warns against being quick to engage in arguments or disputes, as it can lead to embarrassment and shame. Instead, it is better to approach conflicts with humility and a desire for peace.
The next section of Chapter 25 focuses on the virtue of patience. Verse 15 states, "By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone." This verse suggests that through patience and gentle words, one can achieve greater success in persuading others. It also highlights the power of patience in overcoming obstacles and conflicts.
Verse 16 continues this theme, stating, "Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it." This verse uses the imagery of honey to caution against indulging in excess. It is a reminder to exercise self-control and patience in all aspects of life.
Verse 28 further emphasizes the importance of patience, stating, "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls." This verse compares a lack of self-control to a city without walls, vulnerable to attack and destruction. It is a call to exercise patience and self-control in all situations.
The next section of Chapter 25 warns against the dangers of pride and gossip. Verse 9 states, "Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another." This verse cautions against spreading gossip or sharing secrets with others. It is a reminder to be mindful of the words we speak and the impact they can have on others.
Verse 10 continues this theme, stating, "Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away." This verse emphasizes the potential consequences of gossip and the damage it can do to one's reputation. It is a reminder to speak with integrity and avoid spreading rumors or speaking ill of others.
Verse 14 further warns against the dangers of pride, stating, "Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain." This verse uses the imagery of clouds and wind without rain to describe someone who boasts of false accomplishments or abilities. It is a reminder to be humble and truthful in all things.
The final section of Chapter 25 focuses on the importance of discernment in one's words and actions. Verse 11 states, "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." This verse highlights the power of words when used wisely and appropriately. It is a reminder to speak with care and discernment, as our words can have a great impact on others.
Verse 12 continues this theme, stating, "As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear." This verse emphasizes the value of wise advice and constructive criticism. It also highlights the importance of being open to correction and guidance from others.
Verse 23 cautions against being easily swayed by flattery, stating, "The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue." This verse uses the imagery of a strong wind to describe how anger can dispel the effects of flattery. It is a reminder to be discerning and not be easily influenced by insincere words.
The final verse of Chapter 25 ties together the main themes of this chapter and the book of Proverbs as a whole. Verse 28 states, "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls." This verse emphasizes the importance of self-control and humility, as well as the consequences of lacking these qualities. It also highlights the ultimate source of wisdom and guidance – the fear of the Lord.
The fear of the Lord is a recurring theme throughout the book of Proverbs, and it is the foundation of true wisdom. It is the recognition of God's sovereignty and the desire to live a life that is pleasing to Him. As Proverbs 1:7 states, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction." This fear of the Lord is what leads to humility, patience, discernment, and all the other virtues discussed in Chapter 25.
In summary, Chapter 25 of the book of Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings and teachings that emphasize the importance of humility, patience, discernment, and the fear of the Lord. It warns against the dangers of pride, gossip, and anger, and encourages readers to speak and act with wisdom and integrity. Ultimately, this chapter highlights the importance of living a life that is guided by the teachings of the Lord, and the blessings that come from doing so.
Share this page