The chapter opens with a historical heading identifying these as additional proverbs of Solomon copied by Hezekiah's men. The following sayings focus on royal wisdom: it is God's glory to conceal a matter and a king's glory to search it out. The heavens, earth, and royal heart are difficult to search. Silver must have dross removed before a vessel is made, and wicked officials must be removed before a throne is established in righteousness. The learner is warned not to exalt himself in the king's presence but to take a lower place and be invited upward rather than be humiliated before nobles.
Proverbs 25:1
1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
Proverbs 25:2
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
Proverbs 25:3
3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
Proverbs 25:4
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner;
5 Take away the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
Proverbs 25:6
6 Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men;
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.
The learner must not rush to court hastily, lest he be shamed when his neighbor exposes him. Disputes should be handled without betraying another's confidence. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Wise rebuke to a listening ear is like a gold earring or fine ornament. A trustworthy messenger refreshes the one who sends him like snow-cooled refreshment during harvest. One who boasts about gifts never given is like clouds and wind without rain.
Proverbs 25:8
8 Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
Proverbs 25:9
9 Debate your case with your neighbor, and don’t betray the confidence of another,
10 lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Proverbs 25:12
12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
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.
14 As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
Through patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. Honey is good, but too much makes one sick. The learner must not visit a neighbor's house too often, lest he become unwelcome. A false witness against a neighbor is compared to a club, sword, or sharp arrow. Relying on an unfaithful person in trouble is like a broken tooth or lame foot. Singing cheerful songs to a heavy heart is like taking someone's coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar on a wound.
Proverbs 25:15
15 By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
Proverbs 25:16
16 Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
Proverbs 25:17
17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
Proverbs 25:18
18 A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a lame foot.
Proverbs 25:20
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.
The learner is commanded to feed a hungry enemy and give water to a thirsty enemy. In doing so, he heaps burning coals on the enemy's head, and the LORD will reward him. Wisdom refuses personal vengeance and practices mercy under the LORD's moral government.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and Yahweh will reward you.
A north wind brings rain, and a sly tongue brings angry looks. It is better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. Good news from a distant land is like cold water to a weary soul. A righteous person who gives way to the wicked is like a muddied spring or polluted well. Too much honey is not good, and it is not honorable to search out matters too deep for one's own glory. The chapter closes with a major image: a person without self-control is like a city whose walls are broken through.
23 The north wind produces rain; so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
Proverbs 25:24
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
Proverbs 25:26
26 Like a muddied spring and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.
28 Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.