1
This also is a collection of Solomon’s proverbs, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, copied.
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 are high and the earth deep,
so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4
Take away the dross from the silver,
and there comes forth a vessel for the refiner.
5
Take away the wicked from before the king,
and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6
Do not put yourself forward in the presence of the king,
or stand in the place of the great.
7
For it is better that one say to you, “Come up here,”
than that you be brought low before a noble.
What your eyes have seen,
8
do not be hasty to bring into court.
For what will you do in the end,
when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9
Argue your case with your neighbor,
but do not reveal another’s secret,
10
lest the one who hears you bring shame upon you,
and your ill repute never depart.
11
A word fitly spoken
is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12
Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold
is a wise rebuke to an ear that listens.
13
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.
14
Clouds and wind without rain,
so is one who boasts of a gift he never gives.
15
By patience a ruler may be persuaded,
and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
16
If you find honey, eat only what is sufficient for you,
lest you be filled with it and vomit it.
17
Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house,
lest he become weary of you and hate you.
18
A man who bears false witness against his neighbor
is like a club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19
Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble
is like a broken tooth and a slipping foot.
20
One who sings songs to a heavy heart
is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,
and like vinegar on a wound.
21
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,
and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22
For you will heap coals of fire on his head,
and the LORD will reward you.
23
The north wind brings rain;
a secret tongue brings angry looks.
24
It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
than in a house shared with a quarrelsome woman.
25
Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
so is good news from a far country.
26
Like a muddy spring and a polluted well,
so is a righteous person who gives way before the wicked.
27
It is not good to eat much honey;
so let your words of praise be few.
28
A person who cannot control himself
is like a city broken down, without walls.
👑📦💬 Summary of Proverbs 25 – Wisdom in Speech, Hidden Glory, and Conduct before a King
Proverbs 25 is part of the collection of Solomon’s proverbs arranged again by the men of Hezekiah. This chapter emphasizes hidden wisdom, the importance of controlling the tongue, honoring leaders, and having humility in social relations. Words spoken at the right time are like gold, while hasty words can bring harm.
📌 1. Hidden Glory and the Role of a Wise Leader (verses 2–5)
“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.”
- The Lord hides secrets so that people may seek
- A wise leader uncovers truth and clears away evil from around him
🎯 Wisdom does not always appear on the surface — it takes depth and perseverance to find it.
📌 2. Humility before the Great (verses 6–7)
“Do not put yourself forward before the king… it is better that you be told, ‘Come up here’…”
- It is better to be promoted than to be humiliated
- Pride goes before disgrace
🎯 Humility opens the door to honor, not personal ambition.
📌 3. Speak with Wisdom & Do Not Be Hasty (verses 8–11)
“A word spoken at the right time is like golden apples in a silver setting.”
- Do not rush to bring a matter to court
- A fitting word = beautiful in value and healing
🎯 A true word at the right time has great power.
📌 4. Wise Rebuke = A Sign of Love (verse 12)
“A rebuke from a wise person… is like a gold earring to the ear that listens.”
- Criticism given with wisdom is a blessing
- An open listener is more valuable than a person who talks much
🎯 Receiving correction = a sign of spiritual maturity.
📌 5. False Promises and False Hope = Disaster (verses 13–14)
“A cloud without rain is one who boasts about gifts…”
🎯 Do not give false hope. It is better to keep a small promise than to make a great promise that is empty.
📌 6. Patience and Self-Control (verses 15–16, 28)
“Through patience a ruler may be persuaded…”
- Too much honey = disgust → excess pleasure can be harmful
- A person without self-control = like a city broken down without walls
🎯 Personal discipline is a fortress of life.
📌 7. Healthy Social Relationships (verses 17–20)
- Do not go too often to a friend’s house → it may cause weariness
- Singing when the heart is sad = painful, not comforting
- Feeding an enemy = piling up coals of fire → opening the way to peace
🎯 Social wisdom = knowing when to come, when to be silent, when to give.
📖 Main Teaching
- True wisdom requires filtering, patience, and a sense of timing
- Do not force yourself into a high place
- Words must have the right time and the right content
- Social relationships need boundaries and sincerity
- Personal discipline is humanity’s main defense
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
“Sit in the lowest place… for whoever exalts himself will be humbled.”
“Quick to hear, slow to speak…”
“Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only what is good…”
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food…”
🎯 Proverbs 25 shows that wisdom not only governs the heart, but also the mouth, attitude, and social relationships.
🕊️ “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter…” – Proverbs 25:2
🕊️ “It is better to be told, ‘Come up here,’ than to be humbled…” – Proverbs 25:7
🕊️ “A word fitly spoken is like golden fruit…” – Proverbs 25:11
🕊️ “Do not set foot too often in your neighbor’s house…” – Proverbs 25:17
🕊️ “A person who cannot control himself is like a city broken down without walls.” – Proverbs 25:28
