VI. Second Solomonic Collection, Collected Under King Hezekiah
Chapter 25
1 These also are proverbs of Solomon.(A) The servants of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transmitted them.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
and the glory of kings to fathom a matter.
3 Like the heavens in height, and the earth in depth,
the heart of kings is unfathomable.
4 Remove the dross from silver,
and it comes forth perfectly purified;
5 Remove the wicked from the presence of the king,
and his throne is made firm through justice.
6 Claim no honor in the king’s presence,
nor occupy the place of superiors;
7 For it is better to be told, “Come up closer!”
than to be humbled before the prince.(B)
8 What 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?
9 Argue your own case with your neighbor,
but the secrets of others do not disclose;
10 Lest, hearing it, they reproach you,
and your ill repute never ceases.
11 Golden apples in silver settings
are words spoken at the proper time.
12 A golden earring or a necklace of fine gold—
one who gives wise reproof to a listening ear.
13 Like the coolness of snow in the heat of the harvest
are faithful messengers for those who send them,
lifting the spirits of their masters.
14 Clouds and wind but no rain—
the one who boasts of a gift not given.
15 By patience is a ruler persuaded,(C)
and a soft tongue can break a bone.
16 If you find honey, eat only what you need,
lest you have your fill and vomit it up.
17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbors’ house,
lest they have their fill of you—and hate you.
18 A club, sword, or sharp arrow—
the one who bears false witness against a neighbor.(D)
19 A bad tooth or an unsteady foot—
a trust betrayed in time of trouble.
20 Like the removal of clothes on a cold day, or vinegar on soda,
is the one who sings to a troubled heart.
21 If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat,
if thirsty, give something to drink;(E)
22 For live coals you will heap on their heads,
and the Lord will vindicate you.
23 The north wind brings rain,
and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
24 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop
than in a mansion with a quarrelsome wife.(F)
25 Cool water to one faint from thirst
is good news from a far country.
26 A trampled fountain or a polluted spring—
a just person fallen before the wicked.
27 To eat too much honey is not good;
nor to seek honor after honor.
28 A city breached and left defenseless
are those who do not control their temper.
Footnotes
- 25:1–29:27
Chaps. 25–29 make up the fifth collection in the book, and the third longest. King Hezekiah reigned in Judah in 715–687 B.C. According to 2 Kgs 18–20 and 2 Chr 29–32, he initiated political and religious reforms after the destruction of the Northern Kingdom in 722 B.C. Such reforms probably included copying and editing sacred literature such as Proverbs. Prv 25:1 is an important piece of evidence about the composition of the book, suggesting this collection was added to an already-existing collection also attributed to Solomon. The older collection is probably 10:1–22:16 (or part of it). By the end of the eighth century B.C., therefore, there existed in Israel two large collections of aphorisms.
Chap. 25 has two general themes: (1) social hierarchy, rank, or position; (2) social conflict and its resolution.
- 25:1
- 25:2–7
- 25:2
- 25:4–5
- 25:6–7
- 25:9–10
- 25:16–17
- 25:19
- 25:21–22
- 25:24
- 25:26
- 25:27
Cross references
- 25:1 : Prv 1:1.
- 25:7 : Lk 14:8–10.
- 25:15 : Prv 15:1, 4.
- 25:18 : Ex 20:16.
- 25:21 : Rom 12:20.
- 25:24 : Prv 21:9.
