Proverbs 25

King James Version

Full text for Proverbs Chapter 25

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.

3The 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.

5Take 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]:

7For 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.

9Debate thy cause with thy neighbour [himself]; and discover not a secret to another:

10Lest 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:

22For 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Proverbs 25, compiled by King Hezekiah's men, offers diverse wisdom on governance, social conduct, and personal character. It highlights the contrast between God's glory in concealing and a king's honor in searching, while also emphasizing the importance of humility and discretion in interactions. The chapter provides counsel on the power of words, the treatment of enemies, and the necessity of self-control.

Medium Summary

This collection of Solomon's proverbs, transcribed by Hezekiah's scribes, begins by contrasting the divine glory of concealment with the royal honor of investigation, noting the unsearchable nature of a king's heart. It advises on maintaining a righteous court by removing the wicked and on exercising humility in the presence of authority, urging one to wait for an invitation to ascend. The proverbs underscore the value of well-spoken words and wise counsel, comparing them to precious items. Further wisdom is offered on discreet conflict resolution, the emptiness of false boasting, and the persuasive power of patience and gentle speech. Notably, the chapter instructs on showing kindness to enemies, promising divine reward for such acts. It concludes with admonitions on moderation, neighborly conduct, and the critical importance of self-control over one's spirit.

Long Summary

Proverbs chapter 25 presents a further compilation of Solomon's wise sayings, specifically attributed to the copying efforts of King Hezekiah of Judah's men. The chapter opens with a profound theological and governmental principle: it is the glory of God to conceal a matter, whereas it is the honor of kings to diligently search it out, drawing a parallel between the unsearchable depths of a king's heart and the vastness of the heavens and earth. Practical advice for righteous governance is offered, likening the removal of wicked individuals from a king's presence to the refining of silver, both leading to the establishment of a throne in righteousness. Significant counsel is given regarding social decorum, cautioning against self-exaltation in the presence of superiors and advocating for humility, suggesting it is better to be invited to a higher place than to be put down. The proverbs also guide on conflict resolution, urging private debate with a neighbor rather than hasty public contention or the revealing of secrets, which can lead to lasting shame. The profound impact of communication is emphasized, describing a word fitly spoken as precious and a wise reprover to an obedient ear as a valuable ornament. The chapter further illustrates the refreshing nature of a faithful messenger and contrasts it with the emptiness of false boasting, which is likened to clouds and wind without rain. The power of patience and gentle persuasion is highlighted, capable of influencing even princes and breaking resistance. Counsel on moderation is given through the analogy of honey, warning against excess in both eating and the pursuit of personal glory. Interpersonal relationships are addressed, advising against overstaying one's welcome at a neighbor's house and condemning false witness as destructive. A significant teaching involves the treatment of enemies: one is commanded to feed and give drink to a hungry or thirsty foe, for such acts are said to "heap coals of fire upon his head," and the Lord will provide recompense. The chapter concludes with observations on managing backbiting tongues, the difficulty of living with a contentious woman, the refreshing nature of good news, the detrimental effect of a righteous person yielding to the wicked, and the critical importance of self-control, comparing one without it to a city broken down and without walls.

Core Concepts

  • Divine Concealment and Royal InquiryThe chapter states it is God's glory to conceal a thing, while it is the honor of kings to search out a matter, highlighting distinct roles and the unsearchable nature of a king's heart.
  • Prudence and HumilityWisdom is offered on avoiding self-exaltation in the presence of authority and on resolving disputes privately, emphasizing discretion and the value of being invited to a higher place.
  • The Power of WordsWords fitly spoken are compared to precious objects, and a soft tongue is shown to have persuasive power, capable of influencing princes and overcoming resistance.
  • Treatment of EnemiesA notable instruction is given to provide food and drink to one's hungry or thirsty enemy, an act that is said to 'heap coals of fire upon his head' and will be rewarded by the Lord.
  • Moderation and Self-ControlThe proverbs warn against excess, particularly in the consumption of honey and the pursuit of personal glory, and emphasize the critical importance of having rule over one's own spirit.
  • Righteous GovernanceThe text likens the removal of wicked individuals from before a king to the refining of silver, indicating that such actions are essential for establishing the throne in righteousness.
  • Reliability and FaithfulnessThe value of a faithful messenger is highlighted as refreshing, while false boasting is depicted as empty, and confidence in an unfaithful person is shown to be unreliable.