Proverbs
Chapter 25

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1 These are also Prouerbes of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Iudah copied out.

2 It is the glory of God to conceale a thing: but the honour of Kings is to search out a matter.

3 The heauen for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of Kings is vnsearchable.

4 Take away the drosse from the siluer, and there shall come foorth a vessell for the finer.

5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shalbe established in righteousnes.

6 Put not forth thy selfe in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men.

7 For better it is that it be said vnto thee, Come vp hither; then that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the Prince whom thine eies haue seene.

8 Goe not forth hastily to striue, lest thou know not what to doe in the ende thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himselfe; and discouer not a secret to another:

10 Lest he that heareth it, put thee to shame, and thine infamie turne not away.

11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of siluer.

12 As an eare-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprouer vpon an obedient eare.

13 As the cold of snow in the time of haruest, so is a faithfull messenger to them that send him: for hee refresheth the soule of his masters.

14 Who so boasteth himselfe of a false gift, is like cloudes and winde without raine.

15 By long forbearing is a Prince perswaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

16 Hast thou found hony? eate so much as is sufficient for thee: lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

17 Withdraw thy foote from thy neighbours house: lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.

18 A man that beareth false witnes against his neighbour, is a maule, and a sword, and a sharpe arrow.

19 Confidence in an vnfaithfull man in time of trouble, is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of ioynt.

20 As hee that taketh away a garment in cold weather; and as vineger vpon nitre; so is he that singeth songs to an heauy heart.

21 If thine enemie be hungry, giue him bread to eate: and if hee be thirstie, giue him water to drinke.

22 For thou shalt heape coales of fire vpon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.

23 The North winde driueth away raine: so doeth an angrie countenance a backbiting tongue.

24 It is better to dwell in a corner of the house top, then with a brawling woman, and in a wide house.

25 As cold waters to a thirstie soule: so is good newes from a farre countrey.

26 A righteous man falling downe before the wicked, is as a troubled fountaine, aud a corrupt spring.

27 It is not good to eat much hony: so for men to search their owne glory, is not glory.

28 Hee that hath no rule ouer his owne spirit, is like a citie that is broken downe, and without walles.

Viewing the original 1611 KJV with archaic English spelling
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Commentary for Proverbs 25

1-3 God needs not search into any thing; nothing can be hid from him. But it is the honour of rulers to search out matters, to bring to light hidden works of darkness. #4,5|. For a prince to suppress vice, and reform his people, is the best way to support his government. #6,7|. Religion teaches us humility and self-denial. He who has seen the glory of the Lord in Christ Jesus, will feel his own unworthiness. #8-10|. To be hasty in beginning strife, will bring into difficulties. War must at length end, and might better be prevented. It is so in private quarrels; do all thou canst to settle the matter. #11,12|. A word of counsel, or reproof, rightly spoken, is especially beautiful, as fine fruit becomes still more beautiful in silver baskets. #13|. See what ought to be the aim of him that is trusted with any business; to be faithful. A faithful minister, Christ's messenger, should be thus acceptable to us. #14|. He who pretends to have received or given that which he never had, is like the morning cloud, that disappoints those who look for rain. #15|. Be patient to bear a present hurt. Be mild to speak without passion; for persuasive language is the most effectual to prevail over the hardened mind. #16|. God has given us leave to use grateful things, but we are cautioned against excess. 17|. We cannot be upon good terms with our neighbours, without discretion as well as sincerity. How much better a Friend is God than any other friend! The oftener we come to him, the more welcome. #18|. A false testimony is dangerous in every thing. 19|. Confidence in an unfaithful man is painful and vexatious; when we put any stress on him, he not only fails, but makes us feel for it. #20|. We take a wrong course if we think to relieve those in sorrow by endeavouring to make them merry. #21,22|. The precept to love even our enemies is an Old Testament commandment. Our Saviour has shown his own great example in loving us when we were enemies. #23|. Slanders would not be so readily spoken, if they were not readily heard. Sin, if it receives any check, becomes cowardly. #24|. It is better to be alone, than to be joined to one who is a hinderance to the comfort of life. #25|. Heaven is a country afar off; how refreshing is good news from thence, in the everlasting gospel, which signifies glad tidings, and in the witness of the Spirit with our spirits that we are God's children! #26|. When the righteous are led into sin, it is as hurtful as if the public fountains were poisoned. #27|. We must be, through grace, dead to the pleasures of sense, and also to the praises of men. #28|. The man who has no command over his anger, is easily robbed of peace. Let us give up ourselves to the Lord, and pray him to put his Spirit within us, and cause us to walk in his statutes.

Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.

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