Key Verse Spotlight
Proverbs 25:23 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition
" The north wind produces rain; so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face. "
Proverbs 25:23
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. 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 produces rain; so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
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Here we see, first, that we must discourage sin and speak against it, especially the sin of slandering and backbiting. We should frown on it and, by showing our displeasure, try to put it to shame. Slander would not be spoken so freely if people were not so ready to listen. Good manners would silence the slanderer if he saw that his stories offended the company.
We should show that we are hurt if we hear a dear friend, someone we value, spoken against. The same dislike should show itself toward evil speech in general. If we cannot correct it in any other way, we can still do so by our looks.
Second, this may do real good. Who knows whether it might silence and drive away a backbiting tongue? Sin grows bold if people approve of it, but if it meets any check, it feels its own shame and becomes timid. This is especially true of backbiting, because many people only speak badly of others in hopes of winning favor with those who are listening.
From This Chapter
Proverbs 25:1
"These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out."
Proverbs 25:2
"It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter."
Proverbs 25:3
"As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable."
Proverbs 25:4
"Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner."
Proverbs 25:5
"Take away the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness."
Proverbs 25:6
"Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men;"
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