BOOK 20 OF 66 · WISDOM & POETRY · KING JAMES BIBLE

Proverbs 25

Proverbs book home•Chapter 25 of 31•28 verses

Chapter overviewAt a glance + deeper study

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Proverbs 25 Overview

The collection begins by crediting Hezekiah's men with copying Solomon's sayings, then addresses royal investigation, humility before rulers, careful conflict, aptly spoken words, faithfulness, treatment of enemies, and self-control.

ProverbsBook

25Chapter

28Verses

PoetryDivision

Before you read Proverbs 25

Coming from

Proverbs 24 emphasized wisdom builds, strengthens, and judges fairly. Because many proverbs are individual sayings rather than a continuous argument, the chapter-to-chapter connection is thematic rather than narrative.

In this chapter

Leads into

Proverbs 26 turns to fools, sluggards, meddlers, and destructive gossip, expanding wisdom into another set of choices, contrasts, and observations.

Key understandingExplore deeper

Paul quotes the instruction to feed a hungry enemy in Romans 12:20; “coals of fire” should be read in that context as overcoming evil with good, not a scheme for revenge. Proverbs uses compact wisdom sayings to train judgment. Its normal patterns describe how God’s moral order ordinarily works; they are not mechanical guarantees that remove human freedom, suffering, or providence.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

Central truth

Solomon's proverbs preserved under Hezekiah: restraint, fitting speech, and wise dealings.

Wisdom truth

In Proverbs 25, wisdom is moral skill under the fear of the LORD, not merely intelligence or practical cleverness.

Speech truth

In Proverbs 25, words reveal character and have real power to heal, inflame, deceive, reconcile, or destroy.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

Romans 12:20

Paul directly quotes the instruction to feed a hungry enemy and give drink to a thirsty one.

Wisdom connection

James 1:5 says those who lack wisdom should ask God, who gives generously. This connection helps frame Proverbs 25.

Speech connection

Ephesians 4:29 calls for speech that builds and ministers grace to hearers. This connection helps frame Proverbs 25.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Keep wisdom in context

Do not read Proverbs 25 as a set of magic formulas. Proverbs trains wise judgment in the ordinary moral order God established.

Keep speech in context

Speech principles in Proverbs 25 are strong wisdom guidance, but they do not mean words possess magical creative power.

Read Proverbs 25 watching for…

Hezekiah men copied.

glory conceal/search.

apples of gold.

enemy hungry feed.

no rule own spirit.

Chapter outline4 sections

1-7Hezekiah’s collection begins with God’s hidden glory, kings, purification, and humility before rulers 8-15Handle disputes carefully; fit words, faithful messengers, and patient persuasion have great value 16-22Practice restraint, respect neighbors, avoid false witness, and feed an enemy who hungers 23-28Backbiting, contention, bad news, compromised righteousness, excess honor, and lack of self-control

These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.

Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.

Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:

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.

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.

Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:

Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.

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

As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

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.

Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.

A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

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.

If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.

The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.

It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.

He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

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Proverbs 25:11

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