Proverbs 25
Lutheran reading notes
In Proverbs chapter 25, the wisdom literature continues to explore wisdom for righteous living and reverence for God. Lutheran interpretation often emphasizes humanity’s limitations and the need to rely on God's grace and promises. The chapter highlights the contrast between human striving and the faithfulness of God.
1
These {are} also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
Proverbs 25:1 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2
{It is} the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings {is} to search out a matter.
Proverbs 25:2 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3
The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings {is} unsearchable. {is...: Heb. there is no searching}
Proverbs 25:3 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4
Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
Proverbs 25:4 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5
Take away the wicked {from} before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
Proverbs 25:5 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6
Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great {men}: {Put...: Heb. Set not out thy glory}
Proverbs 25:6 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7
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.
Proverbs 25:7 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8
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.
Proverbs 25:8 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9
Debate thy cause with thy neighbour {himself}; and discover not a secret to another: {a secret...: or, the secret of}
Proverbs 25:9 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10
Lest he that heareth {it} put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
Proverbs 25:10 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11
A word fitly spoken {is like} apples of gold in pictures of silver. {fitly...: Heb. spoken upon his wheels}
Proverbs 25:11 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12
{As} an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, {so is} a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
Proverbs 25:12 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13
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.
Proverbs 25:13 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14
Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift {is like} clouds and wind without rain. {of a...: Heb. in a gift of falsehood}
Proverbs 25:14 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
15
By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
Proverbs 25:15 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
16
Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
Proverbs 25:16 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
17
Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and {so} hate thee. {Withdraw...: or, Let thy foot be seldom in} {weary...: Heb. full of thee}
Proverbs 25:17 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
18
A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour {is} a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
Proverbs 25:18 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
19
Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble {is like} a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
Proverbs 25:19 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
20
{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 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
21
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
Proverbs 25:21 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
22
For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
Proverbs 25:22 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
23
The north wind driveth away rain: so {doth} an angry countenance a backbiting tongue. {driveth...: or, bringeth forth rain: so doth a backbiting tongue an angry countenance}
Proverbs 25:23 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
24
{It is} better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
Proverbs 25:24 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
25
{As} cold waters to a thirsty soul, so {is} good news from a far country.
Proverbs 25:25 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
26
A righteous man falling down before the wicked {is as} a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
Proverbs 25:26 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
27
{It is} not good to eat much honey: so {for men} to search their own glory {is not} glory.
Proverbs 25:27 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
28
He that {hath} no rule over his own spirit {is like} a city {that is} broken down, {and} without walls.
Proverbs 25:28 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.