Proverbs 25 (NASB2020)

Similitudes and Instructions

1These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed.

2¶It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,

But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

3 As the heavens for height and the earth for depth,

So the heart of kings is unsearchable.

4Take away the 25:4 Lit drossimpurities from the silver,

And there comes out a vessel for the smith;

5Take away the wicked before the king,

And his throne will be established in righteousness.

6Do not boast in the presence of the king,

And do not stand in the same place 25:6 Lit ofas great people;

7For it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,”

Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince,

Whom your eyes have seen.

8¶Do not go out hastily to 25:8 Lit contendargue your case;

25:8 Lit LestOtherwise, what will you do in 25:8 Lit itsthe end,

When your neighbor humiliates you?

9 25:9 Lit ContendArgue your case with your neighbor,

And do not reveal the secret of another,

10Or one who hears it will put you to shame,

And the evil report about you will not 25:10 Lit returnpass away.

11¶Like apples of gold in settings of silver,

Is a word spoken at 25:11 Lit its timethe proper time.

12 Like 25:12 Or a nose ringan earring of gold and a jewelry piece of fine gold,

Is a wise person who offers rebukes to a listening ear.

13Like the cold of snow in the 25:13 Lit daytime of harvest

Is a faithful messenger to those who send him,

For he refreshes the soul of his masters.

14 Like clouds and wind without rain

Is a person who boasts 25:14 Lit in a gift of falsehoodof his gifts falsely.

15Through 25:15 Lit length of angerpatience a ruler may be persuaded,

And a gentle tongue breaks bone.

16Have you found honey? Eat only 25:16 Lit your sufficiencywhat you need,

So that you do not have it in excess and vomit it.

17Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor’s house,

Or he will become 25:17 Lit surfeited withweary of you and hate you.

18 Like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow

Is a person who gives false testimony against his neighbor.

19 Like a bad tooth and 25:19 Lit a slipping footan unsteady foot

Is confidence in a treacherous person in time of trouble.

20 Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on 25:20 I.e., natronsoda,

Is one who sings songs to 25:20 Lit an evila troubled heart.

21If 25:21 Lit one who hates youyour enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;

And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;

22For you will 25:22 Lit snatch upheap burning coals on his head,

And the Lord will reward you.

23The north wind brings rain,

And a 25:23 Lit tongue of secrecygossiping tongue brings an angry face.

24It is better to live on a corner of the roof,

Than 25:24 Lit with a woman of contentions and a house of associationin a house shared with a contentious woman.

25 Like cold water to a weary soul,

So is good news from a distant land.

26 Like a trampled spring and a 25:26 Lit ruinedpolluted well,

So is a righteous person who gives way before the wicked.

27It is not good to eat much honey,

Nor is it glory to search out 25:27 Lit theirone’s own glory.

28 Like a city that is broken into and without walls

So is a person who has no self-control over his spirit.

Understand Proverbs 25

A verse-by-verse study of Proverbs 25: what the chapter is doing, and what three commentaries say about it. Written to be readable if this is new to you.

Read the Proverbs 25 commentary