Proverbs 25

Proverbs 25 begins a collection of Solomon’s sayings that Hezekiah’s men copied out. It speaks of kings and courtly manners, of well-chosen words and honest dealing with neighbors, and of self-control. Its vivid comparisons show how wisdom shapes speech, friendship, and temper, and it includes the well-known call to meet an enemy’s need with kindness.

Proverbs 25:1

A new section opens. These sayings come from Solomon, but they were copied and gathered centuries later by scribes serving King Hezekiah. God’s wisdom was carefully preserved and handed on, and this verse shows the Scriptures were treasured and passed down.

BSA: copied (“transcribed, collected”): Hezekiah’s men not only copied but gathered these sayings, preserving them for later generations.

See also: 2 Chronicles 29:1-2.

Proverbs 25:2

God does not explain everything at once. He keeps some things hidden, and that is part of his glory. Kings are honored when they dig carefully into matters before ruling. For us, the verse encourages humble, diligent searching, while trusting God with what he has not revealed.

BSA: conceal (“hide, keep secret”): God’s hidden purposes show that he is greater than our understanding. search (“examine, investigate”): A good ruler studies a matter thoroughly instead of judging by appearances.

See also: Deuteronomy 29:29.

Proverbs 25:3

Like the height of the sky and the depth of the earth, a king’s heart is beyond ordinary people’s reach. His plans and motives cannot easily be measured. The verse calls for respect and humility toward those in authority, and for prayer on their behalf.

BSA: hearts (“innermost being, will, and intellect”): The heart here means the king’s whole inner life of thought and purpose, which is hard to read.

Proverbs 25:4-5

Just as a silversmith must first remove the dross before making something fine, a king must remove wicked advisers before his rule can be sound. Righteous government begins with purifying what surrounds it. The same is true of any life or community.

BSA: dross (“waste, impurities, scum”): Impurities mixed into the silver spoil the finished work until they are taken out. established (“set up, secured”): A throne stands firm when it rests on justice, not on the help of the wicked.

See also: Proverbs 20:8; Malachi 3:2-3.

Proverbs 25:6-7

Do not push yourself forward before important people. It is better to be invited to a higher place than to be sent down in public shame. True honor is received, not seized. Jesus later taught the same lesson about places at a feast.

BSA: exalt (“honor, promote”): The warning is against promoting yourself and claiming importance for your own sake. demoted (“humbled, abased”): Self-promotion risks being publicly brought low.

See also: Luke 14:8-11.

Proverbs 25:7-8

Do not rush to court with what you have seen. You may not know the whole story, and you may end up embarrassed when your neighbor answers. Slow down, think about the outcome, and do not let quick anger turn a matter into a public fight.

BSA: hastily (“without careful consideration”): The danger is acting before you have weighed the matter and its consequences.

See also: Matthew 5:25.

Proverbs 25:9-10

If you have a dispute, settle it directly with the person involved, and do not expose someone else’s private matters to win your point. A listener may judge you as untrustworthy, and a reputation for gossip is very hard to repair.

BSA: betraying (“disclosing, revealing”): Revealing another’s secret to strengthen your own case breaks trust. infamy (“slander, evil report, bad reputation”): A bad name sticks and does not easily go away.

See also: Matthew 18:15.

Proverbs 25:11

A word spoken at just the right moment is a beautiful and valuable thing, like golden fruit in a silver setting. Timing and form matter along with truth. Gracious speech is a gift that adorns both the speaker and the hearer.

BSA: fitly spoken (“spoken at the right time, fittingly expressed”): The word is right for the moment and the person, not merely correct.

See also: Colossians 4:6.

Proverbs 25:12

Wise correction is as lovely as gold jewelry to someone willing to listen. Rebuke is never pleasant, but when it is given wisely and received humbly, it becomes a treasure. A listening ear makes all the difference.

BSA: rebuke (“correction, reproof, or warning”): Correction is meant to help and improve, not to wound. listening (“obedient, attentive”): The ear that truly listens is ready to obey, not just to hear.

See also: Proverbs 27:6.

Proverbs 25:13

Cold refreshment at harvest, when work is hot and hard, is a welcome relief. A faithful messenger is the same to the one who sent him. He brings back the message exactly as it was given, and so lifts his master’s spirit.

BSA: trustworthy (“faithful, reliable”): A reliable messenger can be counted on to deliver the word and do what he was sent to do. refreshes (“revitalizes, restores”): Faithfulness gives real renewal to the one who depends on it.

Proverbs 25:14

Clouds and wind promise rain, but no rain comes. In the same way, someone who boasts about generous gifts and never gives them leaves people disappointed. Words should be matched by deeds, especially when others are counting on them.

BSA: boasts (“to shine, make a show”): The boaster makes a display that has nothing behind it.

See also: James 2:15-16.

Proverbs 25:15

Patience and a gentle answer can do what force cannot. Even a stubborn ruler may be won over, and soft words can break down hard resistance, as a bone is hard but gentleness can still break it. Gentleness is strong.

BSA: patience (“long-suffering, patient endurance”): Persuasion needs the willingness to wait for the right moment instead of pressing at once. gentle (“soft, tender, or gentle”): A soft tongue is not weak; it has surprising power.

See also: Proverbs 15:1.

Proverbs 25:16

Honey is good, but too much makes you sick. Even good things need moderation. Enjoy what you need and stop there, and you will keep the pleasure of it.

BSA: honey (“a sweet and valuable food”): Honey stands for any good gift that turns bad when taken beyond what is needed.

Proverbs 25:17

Friendship needs space. Even a welcome guest can wear out his welcome by coming too often. Respect your neighbor’s time and home, and the friendship will last.

BSA: Seldom (“rarely, infrequently”): The advice is to be sparing with visits so that you do not become a burden.

Proverbs 25:18-19

A false witness injures a neighbor as surely as a club, sword, or arrow. Trusting an unfaithful person in a crisis is just as painful, like chewing on a broken tooth or walking on a dislocated foot. Be someone others can count on, and look for such people.

BSA: false (“deceptive, untrue”): False testimony is a weapon of deceit that does real harm. confidence (“trust, assurance, a place of refuge”): We lean on trust like a place of safety, so betrayal leaves us hurt and without support.

See also: Exodus 20:16.

Proverbs 25:20

Cheerful songs offered to someone in sorrow are badly timed and can hurt. Like taking away a coat in the cold, or pouring vinegar on a wound, they make matters worse. Compassion means sharing the sorrow, not hurrying past it.

BSA: heavy (“sad, sorrowful”): A grieving heart needs gentle company, not forced cheer.

See also: Romans 12:15.

Proverbs 25:21-22

Meet your enemy’s need with food and drink. The burning coals most likely picture the shame and change of heart that kindness can stir up, though readers have understood the image in different ways. Either way, God sees and rewards such mercy. Paul quotes these verses.

BSA: enemy (“hater, one who is hostile”): The person described actively opposes you, yet still deserves your care. reward (“recompense, give back”): God himself answers kindness shown to an enemy.

See also: Romans 12:20-21; Matthew 5:44.

Proverbs 25:23

As the north wind brings rain, secret slander brings angry faces. Whispering behind someone’s back stirs up resentment. Listeners should be wary of it, and speakers should avoid it.

BSA: backbiting (“secret, slandering”): This is talk done in secret, away from the person it harms.

See also: Proverbs 26:20.

Proverbs 25:24

A cramped corner of a flat roof, exposed to the weather, is better than a roomy house filled with constant arguing. Peace at home is worth more than comfort. The saying warns against a contentious spirit in anyone.

BSA: quarrelsome (“contentious, brawling”): The word describes a spirit that keeps picking fights and so robs the home of peace.

See also: Proverbs 21:9.

Proverbs 25:25

Good news from far away is as welcome as cold water to someone worn out. In the ancient world, news traveled slowly, so a letter or report from a distant loved one meant a great deal. The gospel is the best of good news from far away.

BSA: weary (“faint, exhausted”): The soul here is truly worn out and ready to be revived.

See also: Proverbs 15:30.

Proverbs 25:26

A spring is meant to give clean water. When a righteous person gives way before the wicked, whether by compromise or by fear, he fouls what others depended on. Good people must hold their ground.

BSA: gives way (“to shake, waver”): The picture is of someone who wavers and loses his footing under pressure. muddied (“troubled, turbid”): The water is stirred up and no longer clean to drink.

Proverbs 25:27

Too much honey is not good, and neither is hunting for your own glory. Excess spoils sweet things, and self-seeking spoils a person. Real honor comes from being faithful, not from chasing praise.

BSA: glory (“honor, splendor, greatness”): Honor sought for itself becomes a hunger that makes us sick.

See also: Proverbs 27:2.

Proverbs 25:28

In ancient times, a city with broken walls was open to any enemy. A person who cannot control his temper is just as unprotected, exposed to every harmful impulse. Self-control is a wall that guards the heart.

BSA: control (“have restraint over, rule”): Ruling your own spirit is a kind of kingship over yourself. temper (“spirit, emotions, mind”): The word covers the whole inner spirit, which needs guarding.

See also: Proverbs 16:32.