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Proverbs 25

These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.

It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.

As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.

Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;

take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.

Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great,

for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen

do not hastily bring into court, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?

Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another’s secret,

lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end.

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.

Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.

Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.

With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.

If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.

Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.

A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.

Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.

Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.

If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,

for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.

It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.

A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

Scripture quotations marked “ESV” are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Proverbs 25

Chapter 25 opens the Hezekiah collection (25:1-29:27) and introduces a new set of Solomonic proverbs "copied out by the men of Hezekiah," suggesting these sayings were gathered and transmitted by later Judean scribes, often featuring comparative and observational form rather than antithetical parallelism. The chapter opens with the declaration that "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings," establishing that wisdom involves patient investigation and the recognition that not all matters are immediately transparent, a theme developed through varied observations about concealment, revelation, and discernment. The chapter offers numerous memorable images: like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him, bringing refreshment and trustworthiness; the soft tongue breaks bones (reiterating the power of gentleness); the sluggard does not plow by reason of cold and thus begs in harvest with nothing, highlighting the consequences of deferred effort. The chapter also advises against boasting or self-promotion, against unnecessary words, and against settling disputes without both sides heard, emphasizing that the wise are measured, cautious, and attentive to nuance. Chapter 25 demonstrates the mature wisdom of a court context, where diplomacy, restraint, and keen observation of human behavior are essential to navigating complex social hierarchies and maintaining honor.

Proverbs 25:26

Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked—a warning that the righteous person who surrenders to wickedness becomes a source of corruption, establishing that compromise with evil corrupts the good. The metaphors describe the loss of usefulness that such capitulation produces. The theological significance involves the principle that integrity requires resistance to evil.

Proverbs 25:27

It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep for you—a warning against two forms of excess: overindulgence and seeking beyond one's capacity, establishing that wisdom includes knowing limits. The parallelism condemns both excessive eating and excessive inquiry. The theological significance involves the principle of knowing one's place and limits.

Proverbs 25:28

Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control—a devastating metaphor for the person without self-discipline, establishing that internal control is as fundamental to human flourishing as walls are to city security. The broken walls leave the city defenseless; lack of self-control leaves the person vulnerable. The theological significance involves the principle that self-mastery is foundational to flourishing.

Proverbs 25:4

Remove the dross from the silver, and out comes material for the silversmith—a metaphorical instruction about purification and refinement, establishing that the removal of impurity from good material yields usable substance. The process (smelting, removal of dross) describes refinement. The theological significance involves the principle that discipline and suffering can refine character.

Proverbs 25:5

Remove the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness—an exhortation to exclude corrupt counsel from the royal court, establishing that the king's power depends on justice, not on surrounding himself with sycophants. The consequence 'throne established through righteousness' links governance to moral alignment. The theological significance involves the principle that leadership success depends on wise counsel and moral alignment.

Proverbs 25:6

Do not exalt yourself in the king's presence, and do not claim a place among his great men—a warning against presumption before authority, establishing that appropriate deference before the powerful is required. The prohibition suggests a tendency to self-promotion in royal courts. The theological significance involves the principle of humility before those in power.

Proverbs 25:7

For it is better to be told, 'Come up here,' than to be humiliated before his nobles—an affirmation that waiting to be elevated is better than being forced to retreat, establishing that honor comes through invitation rather than self-assertion. The contrast between being called up and being sent down emphasizes public humiliation. The theological significance involves the principle that humility precedes honor.

Proverbs 25:8

What you have seen with your eyes do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame?—a warning against hasty litigation, establishing that thoughtful deliberation should precede legal action. The caution 'what will you do in the end' suggests unforeseen consequences. The theological significance involves the principle of careful thought before irreversible action.

Proverbs 25:9

If you take your neighbor to court, do not betray another's confidence—a command to maintain confidentiality even in dispute, establishing that the resolution of conflict should not involve revealing private information. The warning suggests the temptation to use leverage through others' secrets. The theological significance involves the principle that integrity in conflict means respecting confidences.

Proverbs 25:10

Or he who hears it may shame you and the charge against you will stand—a warning that breaking confidentiality will damage your credibility, establishing that exposure of your own unfaithfulness will harm your position. The consequence 'charge against you will stand' suggests that destroying your credibility worsens your legal position. The theological significance involves the principle that integrity is one's most valuable asset in dispute.

Proverbs 25:11

Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word aptly spoken—a commendation of timely, well-chosen speech as beautiful and precious, establishing that wisdom in speaking is rare and valuable. The metaphor of precious metals and apples describes supreme value and beauty. The theological significance involves the principle that wise speech is among the highest goods.

Proverbs 25:12

Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear—a commendation of rebuke from a wise person when received by a receptive hearer, establishing that correction given and received well is beautiful. The metaphor of precious ornaments describes its value. The theological significance involves the principle that rebuke from the wise, when received, produces beauty and growth.

Proverbs 25:13

Like the coolness of snow at harvest time is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters—a commendation of the reliable messenger, establishing that faithfulness in executing commission provides genuine refreshment. The metaphor of snow in harvest describes something precious and unusual. The theological significance involves the principle that reliability is deeply valued.

Proverbs 25:14

Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of gifts he does not give—a condemnation of empty boasting, establishing that promises unfulfilled are worse than silence because they raise false hope. The metaphor of rain-less clouds describes the futility of such promises. The theological significance involves the principle that words without corresponding actions corrupt trust.

Proverbs 25:1

These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah—a superscription identifying the collection, establishing that the proverbs that follow are Solomonic wisdom arranged by a later editorial effort. The reference to Hezekiah's court suggests royal compilation and preservation of wisdom. The theological significance involves the principle that wisdom is transmitted intergenerationally and preserved institutionally.

Proverbs 25:16

If you find honey, eat just enough—too much of it, and you will vomit—a warning against excess even of good things, establishing that moderation in consumption is required. The consequence 'vomit' suggests that overindulgence reverses the good. The theological significance involves the principle that virtue includes moderation.

Proverbs 25:17

Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house—too much familiarity breeds contempt—a warning against excessive familiarity, establishing that distance preserves respect. The principle 'familiarity breeds contempt' suggests that constant presence erodes regard. The theological significance involves the principle that boundaries protect relationships.

Proverbs 25:18

Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against his neighbor—a condemnation of perjury as weaponized violence, establishing that false witness is an attack. The escalating weapons (club, sword, arrow) emphasize the severity. The theological significance involves the principle that false testimony is a form of violence.

Proverbs 25:19

Like a broken tooth or a foot slipping is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble—a warning against depending on the faithless, establishing that such dependence produces pain and failure. The metaphors describe the dysfunction resulting from depending on unreliable people. The theological significance involves the principle that one must judge character before placing trust.

Proverbs 25:20

Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on a wound, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart—a description of inappropriate comfort, establishing that cheerfulness in the face of grief is cruel. The metaphors describe actions that worsen rather than help. The theological significance involves the principle that comfort requires empathy and appropriateness.

Proverbs 25:21

If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink—an exhortation to show kindness to enemies, establishing that meeting their needs transcends enmity. The parallelism (hungry/food, thirsty/water) emphasizes concrete meeting of needs. The theological significance involves the principle that love of enemies is a requirement of wisdom.

Proverbs 25:22

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you—a statement that kindness to enemies shames them and produces divine reward, establishing that such kindness is both strategically effective and morally commendable. The image of burning coals describes the shame or repentance the enemy experiences. The theological significance involves the principle that goodness overcomes evil.

Proverbs 25:23

As the north wind brings forth rain, so a sly tongue brings forth angry looks—a statement that manipulative speech provokes hostility, establishing that deception produces enmity. The natural law (north wind brings rain) parallels the social law (deception brings anger). The theological significance involves the principle of correspondence between internal reality and external consequence.

Proverbs 25:24

Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife—a repetition of 21:9, emphasizing again the severity of marital discord. The theological significance involves the principle of the supreme importance of peace in relationship.

Proverbs 25:25

Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land—a commendation of news as refreshment, establishing that information connecting us to distant loved ones provides profound comfort. The metaphor describes the soul-refreshing quality of such news. The theological significance involves the principle that connection and communication bring life.

Proverbs 25:15

Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone—an affirmation that persistent gentleness can accomplish what force cannot, establishing that soft persistence overcomes hardness. The paradox of gentle tongue breaking bone emphasizes the surprising power of gentleness. The theological significance involves the principle that gentle persuasion is more powerful than coercion.

Proverbs 25:2

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings—an affirmation that mystery is inherent to God's nature and that human nobility involves careful investigation, establishing both divine transcendence and human intellectual dignity. The parallelism suggests that both concealment and investigation are glorious. The theological significance involves the principle that God's hiddenness invites human seeking, and that investigation of creation is a royal calling.

Proverbs 25:3

As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable—a statement of the inscrutability of royal intention, establishing that those in power operate according to logic not always transparent to subjects. The comparison to the height of heavens and depth of earth emphasizes the gulf between ruler and ruled. The theological significance involves the principle of humility before power.