Proverbs 25

¹These also are proverbs of Solomon. The servants of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transmitted them.[#Prv 1:1.; #: presumably scribes at the court of Hezekiah. : lit., “to move, transfer from,” hence “to collect,” and perhaps also to arrange and compose.]

²It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,[#The topic is the king—who he is (vv. 2–3) and how one is to behave in his presence (vv. 4–7).]

and the glory of kings to fathom a matter.

³Like the heavens in height, and the earth in depth,

the heart of kings is unfathomable.

⁴Remove the dross from silver,[#Wisdom involves virtue as well as knowledge. As in Ps 101 the king cannot tolerate any wickedness in the royal service.]

and it comes forth perfectly purified;

⁵Remove the wicked from the presence of the king,

and his throne is made firm through justice.

⁶Claim no honor in the king’s presence,[#An admonition with a practical motive for putting the teaching into practice. Pragmatic shrewdness suggests that we not promote ourselves but let others do it for us. See Lk 14:7–11.]

nor occupy the place of superiors;

⁷For it is better to be told, “Come up closer!”

than to be humbled before the prince.

⁸What your eyes have seen

do not bring forth too quickly against an opponent;

For what will you do later on

when your neighbor puts you to shame?

⁹Argue your own case with your neighbor,[#Another admonition on the use of law courts to settle personal disputes. Speak privately with your opponent lest others’ personal business become public and they resent you.]

but the secrets of others do not disclose;

¹⁰Lest, hearing it, they reproach you,

and your ill repute never ceases.

¹¹Golden apples in silver settings

are words spoken at the proper time.

¹²A golden earring or a necklace of fine gold—

one who gives wise reproof to a listening ear.

¹³Like the coolness of snow in the heat of the harvest

are faithful messengers for those who send them,

lifting the spirits of their masters.

¹⁴Clouds and wind but no rain—

the one who boasts of a gift not given.

¹⁵By patience is a ruler persuaded,[#Prv 15:1, 4.]

and a soft tongue can break a bone.

¹⁶If you find honey, eat only what you need,[#The two admonitions are complementary, expressing nicely the need to restrain the inclination for delightful things, whether for honey or friendship.]

lest you have your fill and vomit it up.

¹⁷Let your foot be seldom in your neighbors’ house,

lest they have their fill of you—and hate you.

¹⁸A club, sword, or sharp arrow—

the one who bears false witness against a neighbor.

¹⁹A bad tooth or an unsteady foot—

a trust betrayed in time of trouble.

²⁰Like the removal of clothes on a cold day, or vinegar on soda,

is the one who sings to a troubled heart.

²¹If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat,[#A memorable statement of humanity and moderation; such sentiments could be occasionally found even outside the Bible, e.g., “It is better to bless someone than to do harm to one who has insulted you” (Egyptian Papyrus Insinger ). Cf. Ex 23:4 and Lv 19:17–18. Human beings should not take it upon themselves to exact vengeance, leaving it rather in God’s hands. This saying has in view an enemy’s vulnerability in time of need, in this case extreme hunger and thirst; such a need should not be an occasion for revenge. The motive for restraining oneself is to allow God’s justice to take its own course, as in 20:22 and 24:17–19. : either remorse and embarrassment for the harm done, or increased punishment for refusing reconciliation. Cf. Mt 5:44. Rom 12:20 cites the Greek version and interprets it, “Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.”]

if thirsty, give something to drink;

²²For live coals you will heap on their heads,

and the Lord will vindicate you.

²³The north wind brings rain,

and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.

²⁴It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop

than in a mansion with a quarrelsome wife.

²⁵Cool water to one faint from thirst

is good news from a far country.

²⁶A trampled fountain or a polluted spring—[#“Spring” is a common metaphor for source. The righteous should be a source of life for others. When they fail, it is as if a spring became foul and its water undrinkable. It is not clear whether the righteous person yielded to a scoundrel out of cowardice or was simply defeated by evil. The latter seems more likely, for other proverbs say the just person will never “fall” (lit., “be moved,” 10:30; 12:3). The fall, even temporary, of a righteous person is a loss of life for others.]

a just person fallen before the wicked.

²⁷To eat too much honey is not good;

nor to seek honor after honor.

²⁸A city breached and left defenseless

are those who do not control their temper.