Proverbs
Chapter 25
FIFTH COLLECTION
These are also Proverbs of Solomon, recorded during the time of Hezekiah, king of Judah.
The glory of God lies in hiding secrets, and the glory of the king is in revealing them.
As high as the skies, as deep as the earth, such is the heart of kings.
Remove the impurity from silver, and it becomes a vessel in the silversmith’s hands.
Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and he will demonstrate his power through justice.
Don’t boast before the king or place yourself among the great.
It’s better to be invited: “Come up here,” than to be humiliated after seeing the prince.
Don’t be too quick to accuse your neighbor, or you might suffer the consequences if he proves you wrong.
Defend your case against your neighbor, but do not reveal another’s secret
lest he overhear it and despise you, causing your reputation to be lost.
A timely word is like golden apples wrapped in silver.
A gold ring or a fine gold ornament is the wise man’s rebuke to a responsive person.
A trustworthy messenger is like the coolness of snow at harvest time to the one who sends him: he revives his master’s soul.
Clouds and wind but no rain; such is the one who promises but does not fulfill.
With patience, you’ll persuade the judge; a gentle approach can be powerful.
If you find honey, eat enough but not too much, or you might throw it up again.
Visit your neighbor’s house infrequently, so he doesn’t get tired of you and begin to resent you.
A mace, a sword, a keen arrow: all are tools of someone who falsely accuses his neighbor.
A decaying tooth, a lame foot—that is how much trust is placed in the ungodly on the day of trouble.
Singing songs to a grieving person is like taking off your cloak in freezing weather or pouring vinegar into a wound.
If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat; if thirsty, something to drink,
thus, you heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
Just as the north wind brings rain, the gossiping tongue leaves behind angry faces.
A corner of a barn is better to live in than a house shared with a quarrelsome woman.
Good news from a faraway land is like cold water to a thirsty throat.
A churning river or a polluted spring is like the virtuous man who trembles before the evildoer.
Eating too much honey is bad, and being greedy for honors is even worse.
A man who can’t control his anger is like an undefended open city.
Commentaries
Fifth Collection.
This chapter begins a new collection of proverbs and sayings, likely gathered during King Hezekiah’s reign. A few sayings mentioning the king serve as an introduction. Above all are God and his righteous sovereignty, followed immediately by the king, although it is clear that the royal figure is subject to God and his plans. The king is seen as the measure of society, so one should not boast before him or feel shame before a nobleman. Personal attitudes should draw the attention of the great naturally, hence the saying, “It is better to hear, ‘Come up here,’ than to be humiliated before the nobles” (7). Jesus uses a similar image to teach his followers not to imitate the disrespectful habit of the scribes and Pharisees, who loved to occupy the seats of honor at banquets (cf. Lk 14:8-11). These proverbs are aimed at people who are close to the court; therefore, they serve as rules of behavior and civility.
Fifth Collection.
Another attribute of the wise is personal integrity. Those who live and act correctly do not cause unpleasant surprises, such as bearing false witness against their own friend. We can trust and feel secure around a person of integrity.
Fifth Collection.
It is essential always to do good, regardless of who they are. Those who, for one reason or another, are not our friends cannot be excluded from our acts of kindness. According to Jesus’ example, if we love those who love us and bless those who bless us, what reward do we have? (Mt 5:46f). Doing good to those who do us wrong is more difficult than responding with harm; this approach is more likely to lead to the other person’s conversion than revenge.