Proverbs 25

Berean Standard Bible

Chapter summary

This chapter presents additional proverbs of Solomon that were copied by the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah. The text details various social behaviors, relationships with neighbors, and interactions with rulers and kings. It utilizes multiple comparisons involving natural elements, precious metals, and daily life to illustrate practical conduct. The verses address topics such as legal disputes, truthful witnessing, moderation in eating honey, and reactions to enemies. Finally, the collection concludes with observations regarding self-control, quarrelsome companions, and the impact of trustworthy messengers.

Summary automatically generated from the Bible text.

Words of Jesus in red

¹These are additional proverbs of Solomon, which were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah: ²It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out. ³As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be searched. ⁴Remove the dross from the silver, and a vessel for a silversmith will come forth. ⁵Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness. ⁶Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men; ⁷for it is better to be told, “Come up here!” than to be demoted in the presence of the prince. Even what you have seen with your own eyes, ⁸do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame? ⁹Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence, ¹⁰lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your infamy never go away. ¹¹A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. ¹²Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear. ¹³Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters. ¹⁴Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given. ¹⁵Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. ¹⁶If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up. ¹⁷Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you. ¹⁸Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor. ¹⁹Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble. ²⁰Like one who removes a garment on a cold day or vinegar poured on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. ²¹If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. ²²For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you. ²³As the north wind brings forth rain, so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks. ²⁴Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife. ²⁵Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. ²⁶Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked. ²⁷It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory. ²⁸Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.

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Louis Segond 1910 and Berean Standard Bible: public domain. Cross references: open-cross-ref, Creative Commons BY 4.0.