New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Proverbs 25
1
These are more proverbs of Solomon. They were copied down by the men of Hezekiah, the king of Judah.
Reference
3
The heavens are high and the earth is deep. In the same way, the minds of kings are hard to figure out.
Reference
5
Remove sinful people from where the king is. When he does what is right, his kingdom will be secure.
Reference
Kingdom
Proverbs 20:8
Proverbs 20:28
Proverbs 29:14
1 Kings 2:46
Esther 7:10
Parallel theme
1 Kings 2:33
Righteousness
Proverbs 16:12
Isaiah 16:5
Isaiah 9:7
7
Let the king say to you, "Come up here." That's better than for him to shame you in front of nobles. What you have seen with your own eyes
Reference
8
don't bring too quickly to court. What will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame?
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10
If you do, someone might hear it and put you to shame. Then no one will ever respect you again.
12
A wise person's warning to a listening ear is like a gold earring or jewelry made of fine gold.
Reference
13
A messenger trusted by those who send him is like cool snow at harvest time. He renews the spirit of his masters.
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14
A man who brags about gifts he doesn't give is like wind and clouds that don't produce rain.
Reference
15
If you are patient, you can win an official over to your side. And gentle words can break a bone.
Reference
17
Don't go to your neighbor's home very often. If he sees too much of you, he will hate you.
18
A man who gives false witness against his neighbor is like a club, a sword or a sharp arrow.
Reference
19
Trusting someone who is not faithful when trouble comes is like a bad tooth or a disabled foot.
Reference
Faith
Isaiah 36:6
20
You may sing songs to a troubled heart. But that's like taking a coat away on a cold day. It's like pouring vinegar on baking soda.
Reference
21
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
Reference
22
By doing those things, you will pile up burning coals on his head. And the Lord will reward you.
Reference
26
Sometimes a godly person gives in to those who are evil. Then he becomes like a muddy spring of water or a polluted well.
27
It isn't good for you to eat too much honey. And you shouldn't try to get others to honor you.
Reference
28
A man who can't control himself is like a city whose walls are broken down.
Reference
Parallel theme
Proverbs 22:24
Nehemiah 1:3
1 Samuel 20:30
2 Chronicles 32:5
1 Samuel 25:17
Spirit
Proverbs 16:32
Summary of Proverbs 25
Proverbs 25 is largely a description of how wisdom operates in everyday human relationships. The chapter is less concerned with abstract ideas and more interested in how a person behaves when dealing with authority, disagreements, criticism, promises, neighbors, disappointment, temptation, and even enemies.
The chapter begins with an important historical note. These sayings are associated with Solomon but were later collected during the reign of Hezekiah. This means that the wisdom tradition was not simply created once and forgotten. It was preserved, examined, and passed on because later generations continued to find practical value in it.
One of the strongest themes throughout the chapter is knowing one's place and controlling one's behavior.
A person should not rush to place himself in a position of honor.
He should not assume that he deserves special recognition.
He should not immediately enter an argument without understanding the facts.
He should not reveal private information simply because he is angry.
The chapter repeatedly describes situations in which a person's lack of restraint can create unnecessary problems.
By contrast, wisdom often looks like waiting, listening, observing, and choosing the appropriate moment to act.
This is particularly important when dealing with people who have authority.
The chapter describes a king's court and emphasizes the importance of removing corrupt influences from leadership. Good leadership requires good advisers. At the same time, individuals should not force themselves into positions of importance. Genuine honor is more valuable when it is given rather than demanded.
The same principle applies to ordinary relationships.
A disagreement with a neighbor should be handled directly and privately rather than becoming public gossip. A person who exposes another person's private matters may win a temporary argument but lose trust permanently.
The chapter therefore treats confidentiality as a form of wisdom.
Words receive considerable attention throughout the chapter.
Good words spoken at the right time are compared with beautiful and valuable objects. A thoughtful correction can be valuable. A trustworthy message can bring relief. Encouraging news from far away can refresh someone who has been waiting.
Speak carefully, listen before judging, respect boundaries, remain humble, control your desires, keep your promises, protect confidential matters, respond patiently to conflict, and choose goodness even when dealing with difficult people.
Proverbs 25 concludes with a particularly practical understanding of wisdom: the strongest person is not necessarily the one who can control other people, but the one who can control himself.
The chapter begins with an important historical note. These sayings are associated with Solomon but were later collected during the reign of Hezekiah. This means that the wisdom tradition was not simply created once and forgotten. It was preserved, examined, and passed on because later generations continued to find practical value in it.
One of the strongest themes throughout the chapter is knowing one's place and controlling one's behavior.
A person should not rush to place himself in a position of honor.
He should not assume that he deserves special recognition.
He should not immediately enter an argument without understanding the facts.
He should not reveal private information simply because he is angry.
The chapter repeatedly describes situations in which a person's lack of restraint can create unnecessary problems.
By contrast, wisdom often looks like waiting, listening, observing, and choosing the appropriate moment to act.
This is particularly important when dealing with people who have authority.
The chapter describes a king's court and emphasizes the importance of removing corrupt influences from leadership. Good leadership requires good advisers. At the same time, individuals should not force themselves into positions of importance. Genuine honor is more valuable when it is given rather than demanded.
The same principle applies to ordinary relationships.
A disagreement with a neighbor should be handled directly and privately rather than becoming public gossip. A person who exposes another person's private matters may win a temporary argument but lose trust permanently.
The chapter therefore treats confidentiality as a form of wisdom.
Words receive considerable attention throughout the chapter.
Good words spoken at the right time are compared with beautiful and valuable objects. A thoughtful correction can be valuable. A trustworthy message can bring relief. Encouraging news from far away can refresh someone who has been waiting.
Speak carefully, listen before judging, respect boundaries, remain humble, control your desires, keep your promises, protect confidential matters, respond patiently to conflict, and choose goodness even when dealing with difficult people.
Proverbs 25 concludes with a particularly practical understanding of wisdom: the strongest person is not necessarily the one who can control other people, but the one who can control himself.