What does the chapter actually say?
Identify the explicit claims before importing later doctrine or assumptions.
PROVERBS • CHAPTER 25
Proverbs 25
Practical wisdom, speech, work, money, sexuality, family, justice, self-control, leadership, and fear of Yahweh.
READ THE CHAPTER
Proverbs 25
WORLD ENGLISH BIBLE
The complete biblical text below is stored on this website.
You do not need to leave The Bible for Smart People to read it.
1
These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing,
but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3
As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,
so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4
Take away the dross from the silver,
and material comes out for the refiner;
and material comes out for the refiner;
5
Take away the wicked from the king’s presence,
and his throne will be established in righteousness.
and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6
Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king,
or claim a place among great men;
or claim a place among great men;
7
for it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,”
than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince,
whom your eyes have seen.
than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince,
whom your eyes have seen.
8
Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court.
What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
9
Debate your case with your neighbor,
and don’t betray the confidence of another,
and don’t betray the confidence of another,
10
lest one who hears it put you to shame,
and your bad reputation never depart.
and your bad reputation never depart.
11
A word fitly spoken
is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12
As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold,
so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
13
As the cold of snow in the time of harvest,
so is a faithful messenger to those who send him;
for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
so is a faithful messenger to those who send him;
for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14
As clouds and wind without rain,
so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
15
By patience a ruler is persuaded.
A soft tongue breaks the bone.
A soft tongue breaks the bone.
16
Have you found honey?
Eat as much as is sufficient for you,
lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
Eat as much as is sufficient for you,
lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
17
Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house,
lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
18
A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor
is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19
Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble
is like a bad tooth or a lame foot.
is like a bad tooth or a lame foot.
20
As one who takes away a garment in cold weather,
or vinegar on soda,
so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
or vinegar on soda,
so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat.
If he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
If he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22
for you will heap coals of fire on his head,
and Yahweh will reward you.
and Yahweh will reward you.
23
The north wind produces rain;
so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
24
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop
than to share a house with a contentious woman.
than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25
Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
so is good news from a far country.
so is good news from a far country.
26
Like a muddied spring and a polluted well,
so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27
It is not good to eat much honey,
nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.
nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.
28
Like a city that is broken down and without walls
is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
WISDOM
Where this chapter fits
Proverbs belongs to Israel's wisdom/poetic tradition, where literary form matters as much as historical setting.
Chapter numbers were added long after the biblical books were written.
Read this chapter together with what comes immediately before and after it.
ANCIENT TEXT, MODERN QUESTIONS
Historical claims should be compared with historical evidence.
Scientific claims should be compared with science.
Moral claims should be examined morally.
Theological claims require theological and philosophical argument.
QUESTIONS WORTH ASKING
Don't skip the hard parts.
What kind of literature is this?
Narrative, poetry, prophecy, law, letters, wisdom, and apocalypse communicate differently.
What historical evidence matters?
Ask whether names, places, institutions, events, customs, and chronology can be independently investigated.
What are the strongest competing interpretations?
Compare serious Jewish, Christian, academic, and skeptical readings rather than caricatures.
CONTINUE THE INVESTIGATION
You've reached the member analysis.
You can keep reading every Bible chapter on this site for free.
Membership unlocks the deeper analysis, historical context, competing interpretations, perspectives, and conclusion.
WANT TO KEEP READING FOR FREE?
Continue to Proverbs 26
The complete biblical text of the next chapter is free to read.
You only need membership when you want the deeper analysis and side-by-side investigation.
READ NEXT CHAPTER FREEUNLOCK THE ANALYSIS
Already a member?
Sign in to continue →