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Proverbs 25
1These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner;
5Take away the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6Don't exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men;
7for it is better that it be said to you, "Come up here," than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen.
8Don't be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
9Debate your case with your neighbor, and don't betray the confidence of another;
10lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.
11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
13As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
15By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
16Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
17Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
18A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth, or a lame foot.
20As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink:
22for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and Yahweh will reward you.
23The north wind brings forth rain: so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
24It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26Like a muddied spring, and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27It is not good to eat much honey; nor is it honorable to seek one's own honor.
28Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
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Adjudication at Law: To be Avoided Proverbs 25:8–10
do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame? / Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence, / lest the one who hears may disgrace you, and your infamy never go away.
Anger: Brings Its own Punishment Proverbs 25:28
Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.
Anger: General Scriptures Concerning Proverbs 25:28
Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.
Apple: A Fruit Proverbs 25:11
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Apples Proverbs 25:11
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Army Proverbs 25:26
Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.
Arrow: Figurative Proverbs 25:18
Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.
Arrows of False Witnesses Proverbs 25:18
Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.
Assumption Proverbs 25:8
do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?
Avoiding Sin Proverbs 25:26
Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.
Backbiting: General Scriptures Concerning Proverbs 25:23
As the north wind brings forth rain, so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks.
Basketball Proverbs 25:27
It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.
Being An Encourager Proverbs 25:11
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Beneficence: General Scriptures Concerning Proverbs 25:21, 22
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. / For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
Boasting: General Scriptures Concerning Proverbs 25:14
Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given.
Boundaries Proverbs 25:17
Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you.
Bragging Proverbs 25:14
Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given.
Breaking Promises Proverbs 25:14
Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given.
Bribery: General Scriptures Concerning Proverbs 25:14
Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given.
Candy Proverbs 25:16
If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up.
Chaos Proverbs 25:28
Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.
Chores Proverbs 25:12, 13
Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear. / Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.
Citizens: Duties of Proverbs 25:6, 7, 15
Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men; / for it is better that he says to you, “Come up here!” than that you should be demoted in the presence of the prince. Even what you have seen with your own eyes, / Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
Clouds: (Without Rain) the Fraudulent Proverbs 25:14
Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given.
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Proverbs 25:1-3 Verses 1-3
God needs not search into any thing; nothing can be hid from him. But it is the honour of rulers to search out matters, to bring to light hidden works of darkness.
Proverbs 25:4-5 Verses 4, 5
For a prince to suppress vice, and reform his people, is the best way to support his government.
Proverbs 25:6-7 Verses 6, 7
Religion teaches us humility and self-denial. He who has seen the glory of the Lord in Christ Jesus, will feel his own unworthiness.
Proverbs 25:8-10 Verses 8-10
To be hasty in beginning strife, will bring into difficulties. War must at length end, and might better be prevented. It is so in private quarrels; do all thou canst to settle the matter.
Proverbs 25:11-12 Verses 11, 12
A word of counsel, or reproof, rightly spoken, is especially beautiful, as fine fruit becomes still more beautiful in silver baskets.
Proverbs 25:13 Verse 13
See what ought to be the aim of him that is trusted with any business; to be faithful. A faithful minister, Christ's messenger, should be thus acceptable to us.
Proverbs 25:14 Verse 14
He who pretends to have received or given that which he never had, is like the morning cloud, that disappoints those who look for rain.
Proverbs 25:15 Verse 15
Be patient to bear a present hurt. Be mild to speak without passion; for persuasive language is the most effectual to prevail over the hardened mind.
Proverbs 25:16 Verse 16
God has given us leave to use grateful things, but we are cautioned against excess.
Proverbs 25:17 Verse 17
We cannot be upon good terms with our neighbours, without discretion as well as sincerity. How much better a Friend is God than any other friend! The oftener we come to him, the more welcome.
Proverbs 25:18 Verse 18
A false testimony is dangerous in every thing.
Proverbs 25:19 Verse 19
Confidence in an unfaithful man is painful and vexatious; when we put any stress on him, he not only fails, but makes us feel for it.
Proverbs 25:20 Verse 20
We take a wrong course if we think to relieve those in sorrow by endeavouring to make them merry.
Proverbs 25:21-22 Verses 21, 22
The precept to love even our enemies is an Old Testament commandment. Our Saviour has shown his own great example in loving us when we were enemies.
Proverbs 25:23 Verse 23
Slanders would not be so readily spoken, if they were not readily heard. Sin, if it receives any check, becomes cowardly.
Proverbs 25:24 Verse 24
It is better to be alone, than to be joined to one who is a hinderance to the comfort of life.
Proverbs 25:25 Verse 25
Heaven is a country afar off; how refreshing is good news from thence, in the everlasting gospel, which signifies glad tidings, and in the witness of the Spirit with our spirits that we are God's children!
Proverbs 25:26 Verse 26
When the righteous are led into sin, it is as hurtful as if the public fountains were poisoned.
Proverbs 25:27 Verse 27
We must be, through grace, dead to the pleasures of sense, and also to the praises of men.
Proverbs 25:28 Verse 28
The man who has no command over his anger, is easily robbed of peace. Let us give up ourselves to the Lord, and pray him to put his Spirit within us, and cause us to walk in his statutes.