Proverbs 25

1Solomon’s proverbs, published by the scribes of King Hezekiah:

2God conceals the revelation of his word # 25:2 Many translate this “a matter,” whereas the Hebrew is dabar, which is translated more than eight hundred times in the Old Testament as “word.”

in the hiding place of his glory. # 25:2 There is beautiful poetry in the Hebrew text. The word for “hide” is cathar, and the word for “word” is dabar. The Hebrew is actually “Kabod [glory] cathar [hidden] dabar [word].”

But the honor of kings # 25:2 We have been made kings and priests, royal lovers of God, because of God’s grace and Christ’s redeeming blood. See 1 Peter 2:9 and Rev. 5:8–10. is revealed

by how they thoroughly search out

the deeper meaning of all that God says.

3The heart of a king is full of understanding,

like the heavens are high and the ocean is deep.

4If you burn away the impurities from silver,

a sterling vessel will emerge from the fire.

5And if you purge corruption from the kingdom,

a king’s reign will be established in righteousness.

6Don’t boast in the presence of a king

or promote yourself by taking a seat at the head table

and pretending that you’re someone important.

7For it is better for the king to say to you,

“Come, you should sit at the head table,”

than for him to say in front of everyone,

“Please get up and move—

you’re sitting in the place of the prince.”

8Don’t be hasty to file a lawsuit.

By starting something you wish you hadn’t,

you could be humiliated when you lose your case.

9Don’t reveal another person’s secret

just to prove a point in an argument,

or you could be accused of being a gossip

10and gain a reputation for being one

who betrays the confidence of a friend.

11Winsome words spoken at just the right time

are as appealing as apples gilded in gold

surrounded with silver. # 25:11 The Aramaic reads “The one who speaks the word is an apple of gold in a setting of silver.” The Septuagint is “A wise word is like a golden apple in a pendant of rubies.” Each one of God’s promises are like apples gilded in gold. When we are full of his Spirit, we can speak and prophesy words of encouragement that are spoken at the right time for the blessing of others.

12When you humbly receive wise correction,

it adorns your life with beauty # 25:12 Or “an earring of gold, an ornament of fine gold.” An earring pierces the ear and is an emblem of a listening heart.

and makes you a better person.

13A reliable, trustworthy messenger

refreshes the heart of his master, # 25:13 Or “employer.”

like a gentle snowfall at harvest time.

14Clouds that carry no water

and a wind that brings no refreshing rain # 25:14 The symbols of clouds, wind, and rain are significant. Clouds are often a metaphor for the people of God filled with glory (see Heb. 12:1; Rev. 1:7). Wind is an emblem of the Holy Spirit bringing new life (see John 3:6–8). Rain often points to teaching the revelation-truths that refresh and water the seeds of spiritual growth (see Isa. 55:10–11). God’s anointed people are to be clouds carried by the wind of the Holy Spirit that bring refreshing truths to his people. When we are empty and false, we are clouds without rain. See also 2 Peter 2:17 and Judah (Jude) 12. —

that’s what you’re like when you boast

of a gift that you don’t have. # 25:14 Or “boast of a promised gift you never intend to give.” The Hebrew is literally “to make yourself shine in a gift of falsehood.”

Wisdom Practices Self-Control

15Use patience and kindness when you want to persuade leaders

and watch them change their minds right in front of you.

For your gentle wisdom will quell the strongest resistance. # 25:15 Or “Soft words break bones.”

16When you discover something sweet,

don’t overindulge and eat more than you need,

for excess in anything can make you sick of even a good thing.

17Don’t wear out your welcome

by staying too long at the home of your friends,

or they may get fed up with always having you there

and wish you hadn’t come.

18Lying about and slandering people

are as bad as hitting them with a club,

or wounding them with an arrow,

or stabbing them with a sword.

19You can’t depend on an unreliable person

when you really need help.

It can be compared to biting down on an abscessed tooth

or walking with a sprained ankle.

20When you sing a song of joy to someone suffering

in the deepest grief and heartache,

it can be compared to disrobing in the middle of a blizzard

or rubbing salt in a wound.

21Is your enemy hungry? Buy him lunch. # 25:21 Or “Is he thirsty? Give him a drink.”

Win him over with your kindness.

22Your surprising generosity will awaken his conscience # 25:22 Or “You will heap coals of fire on his head.” His heart will be moved and his shame exposed.

and God will reward you with favor.

23As the north wind brings a storm,

saying things you shouldn’t # 25:23 Or “words of gossip.” brings a storm to any relationship.

24It’s better to live all alone in a rundown shack

than to share a castle with a crabby spouse! # 25:24 With the exception of one Hebrew letter, this verse is identical to 21:9. See footnote. The Aramaic reads “than to live with a contentious woman in a house of divisions.”

25Like a drink of cool water refreshes a weary, thirsty soul,

so hearing good news revives the spirit.

26When a lover of God gives in and compromises with wickedness,

it can be compared to contaminating a stream with sewage

or polluting a fountain.

27It’s good to eat sweet things,

but you can take too much.

It’s good to be honored,

but to seek words of praise # 25:27 This line is translated from the Aramaic. is not honor at all.

28If you live without restraint

and are unable to control your temper,

you’re as helpless as a city with broken-down defenses,

open to attack.

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Proverbs 25: TPT

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Proverbs 25

1These also are Solomon’s proverbs that were copied by the men of King Hezekiah of Judah.

Advice for Kings

2It is the glory of God to hide things

but the glory of kings to investigate them.

3 ⌞Like⌟ the high heavens and the deep earth,

so the mind of kings is unsearchable.

4Take the impurities out of silver,

and a vessel is ready for the silversmith to mold.

5Take a wicked person away from the presence of a king,

and justice will make his throne secure.

6Do not brag about yourself in front of a king

or stand in the spot that belongs to notable people,

7because it is better to be told, “Come up here,”

than to be put down in front of a prince

whom your eyes have seen.

8Do not be in a hurry to go to court.

What will you do in the end if your neighbor disgraces you?

9Present your argument to your neighbor,

but do not reveal another person’s secret.

10Otherwise, when he hears about it, he will humiliate you,

and his evil report about you will never disappear.

11 ⌞Like⌟ golden apples in silver settings,

⌞so⌟ is a word spoken at the right time.

12 ⌞Like⌟ a gold ring and a fine gold ornament,

⌞so⌟ is constructive criticism to the ear of one who listens.

13Like the coolness of snow on a harvest day,

⌞so⌟ is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him:

He refreshes his masters.

14 ⌞Like⌟ a dense fog or a dust storm,

⌞so⌟ is a person who brags about a gift that he does not give.

15With patience you can persuade a ruler,

and a soft tongue can break bones.

16When you find honey, eat only as much as you need.

Otherwise, you will have too much and vomit.

17Do not set foot in your neighbor’s house too often.

Otherwise, he will see too much of you and hate you.

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

⌞so⌟ is a person who gives false testimony against his neighbor.

19 ⌞Like⌟ a broken tooth and a lame foot,

⌞so⌟ is confidence in an unfaithful person in a ⌞time of⌟ crisis.

20 ⌞Like⌟ taking off a coat on a cold day

or pouring vinegar on baking soda,

so is singing songs to one who has an evil heart.

21If your enemy is hungry, give him some food to eat,

and if he is thirsty, give him some water to drink.

22 ⌞In this way⌟ you will make him feel guilty and ashamed,

and the Lord will reward you.

23 ⌞As⌟ the north wind brings rain,

so a whispering tongue brings angry looks.

24Better to live on a corner of a roof

than to share a home with a quarreling woman.

25 ⌞Like⌟ cold water to a thirsty soul,

so is good news from far away.

26 ⌞Like⌟ a muddied spring and a polluted well,

⌞so⌟ is a righteous person who gives in to a wicked person.

27Eating too much honey is not good,

and searching for honor is not honorable.

28 ⌞Like⌟ a city broken into ⌞and⌟ left without a wall,

⌞so⌟ is a person who lacks self-control.

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