Proverbs 25 - Meaning, Themes & Application

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

" It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. "

" The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable. "

Proverbs 25:3 means that just as the sky is high and the earth is deep, you can’t fully understand what leaders are thinking or planning. …

" Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer. "

" Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness. "

Proverbs 25:5 means leaders stay strong and fair when they aren’t influenced by corrupt people. Removing dishonest advisers protects decisions from being twisted. For example, …

" Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great "

" For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen. "

" Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. "

" Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another: "

" Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away. "

" A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. "

Proverbs 25:11 means the right words, spoken at the right time, are both beautiful and valuable. Like a perfect piece of art, wise words can …

" As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. "

" As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters. "

" Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain. "

" By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone. "

" Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit "

" Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate "

Proverbs 25:17 advises against overstaying your welcome at a neighbor’s house. The verse suggests that frequent visits can lead to annoyance and strain the relationship. …

" A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. "

" Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. "

" As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart. "

Proverbs 25:20 means that trying to cheer up a deeply sad person with light, careless jokes or “happy talk” can actually make them feel worse, …

" If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: "

" For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward "

" The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue. "

" It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house. "

" As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. "

" A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring. "

Proverbs 25:26 means that when a good person gives in to pressure from evil people, it harms everyone who looks up to them, like dirty …

" It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory. "

" He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. "

Proverbs 25:28 means that if you can’t control your emotions, desires, or reactions, your life is wide open to trouble—like a city with no walls. …