Proverbs

Proverbs 25 ©

In this and the four following chapters are contained various maxims and observations of Solomon, collected by the men of Hezekiah, about kings, and other subjects of both private and public concern.

1

THESE are also aproverbs of Solomon, which bthe men of cHezekiah king of Judah copied out.

a ch. 1.1; 10.1. 1Ki. 4.32.
b 2Ki. 19.2.
c 2Ki. 18-20. 2Ch. 29-32.
2

It is dthe glory of God to conceal a thing: ebut the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

d De. 29.29. Ro. 11.33.
e 1Ki. 3.9-28; 4.29-34. Job 29.16.
3

The fheaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings 1is unsearchable.

f Job 11.8; 35.5. Je. 31.37.
4

gTake away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the *finer.

g 2Ti. 2.21. Job 28.1. Mal. 3.3. Is. 1.25-27.
5

hTake away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

h ch. 20.8. Es. 7.10; 8.1.
6

2Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and istand not in the place of great men :

i ch. 22.29.
7

For jbetter it is that it be said unto thee, Come up *hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.

j Lu. 14.8-11. ch. 16.19.
8

kGo not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

k ch. 17.14. Ja. 4.1. ch. 13.10; 10.12; 18.6; 30.33. Ro. 6.21.
9

lDebate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and 3discover not a secret to another:

l Mat. 5.25; 18.15. 1Co. 13.3,4.
10

Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and mthine infamy turn not away.

m ch. 6.33.
11

A nword 4fitly spoken is like apples of gold in *pictures of silver.

n ch. 15.23. Is. 50.4. 1Co. 9.20.
12

As oan earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

o Ps. 141.6. ch. 9.8; 15.31; 28.23; 27.6; 1.8,9. Is. 50.4. 1Sa. 25.31. ch. 1.9.
13

As pthe cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.

p ch. 13.17. v.25. Job 33.23. Mal. 3.1.
14

qWhoso boasteth himself 5of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

q Lu. 18.10. 1Ki. 22.11. ch. 20.6. Lu. 4.6. Jude 11,12. 2Pe. 2.17,18.
15

By rlong forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

r Ge. 32.4. 1Sa. 25.24,32; 24.16. ch. 15.1; 16.14.
16

sHast thou found honey? teat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

s ch. 24.13. Is. 7.15,22. Ps. 81.16. De. 32.13. 1Sa. 14.25,27. Mat. 3.4. Ex. 3.8. v.27.
t 1Co. 7.29,30; 9.25. Lu. 21.34.
17

6Withdraw uthy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be 7weary of thee, and so hate thee.

u 1Th. 4.11. 1Ti. 5.13. Tit. 2.5.
18

A vman that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a *maul, and a sword, and wa sharp arrow.

v Ps. 120.4; 55.21; 140.3; 57.4. ch. 12.18; 24.28.
w Ps. 45.5.
19

xConfidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

x 2Ti. 4.16. Mat. 26.46,70. Is. 36.6. Eze. 29.7,16.
20

As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon *nitre, yso is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.

y Da. 6.18. Ro. 12.15.
21

If zthine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

z Ex. 23.4,5. Ro. 12.20,21. 2Sa. 16.12. 2Ki. 6.20. Mat. 5.44.
22

For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.

23

8The anorth wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance ba backbiting tongue.

a Job 37.22.
b Ps. 15.3. Ro. 1.30. 2Co. 12.20.
24

It is cbetter to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

c ch. 19.13; 21.9,19; 27.15.
25

As dcold waters to a thirsty soul, so is egood news from a far country.

d Je. 18.14. Ge. 45.26,28. Ps. 42.1. Lu. 2.10,11. Mat. 11.28-30. Jn. 7.37. Re. 22.17. 1Ti. 1.15. Ps. 89.15.
e ch. 15.30.
26

A frighteous man falling down before the wicked is as a gtroubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.

f Mi. 7.8. Mat. 26.69-71. Ju. 16.
g Eze. 32.2.
27

It is hnot good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.

h v.16. ch. 24.13; 27.2. Lu. 14.11.
28

He ithat hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

i ch. 16.32; 22.24; 17.12; 27.3. 1Sa. 25.17. Ps. 106.33.