Chapter 25
Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.
Just read this chapter →Scripture
KJV1These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
3The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
5Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
7For 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.
8Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
9Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:
10Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
12As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
13As 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.
14Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
15By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
16Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
18A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
21If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
23The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
25As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
27It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
28He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”
Overview
This chapter begins a new collection of Solomon's proverbs copied by the men of Hezekiah. It covers the glory of kings, the art of a well-spoken word, the importance of self-control, and the surprising power of kindness to enemies. Solomon compares a word fitly spoken to apples of gold in pictures of silver, and teaches that heaping kindness on an enemy is like heaping coals of fire on his head.
Key Themes
A Word Fitly Spoken
A word spoken in the right time and manner is as beautiful and precious as apples of gold set in frames of silver — timing and wisdom multiply the power of speech.
Kindness to Enemies
If your enemy hungers, feed him; if he thirsts, give him water — this radical generosity heaps coals of fire on his head, and the Lord shall reward it.
Self-Control and Restraint
A man who has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down without walls — self-control is the fortress that protects all other virtues.
Study Questions
What makes 'a word fitly spoken' (v. 11) so powerful, and how can we cultivate better timing in our communication?
How does the instruction to feed and give drink to your enemy (vv. 21-22) connect to Jesus's teaching in the Sermon on the Mount?
What does the metaphor of 'coals of fire' on the enemy's head (v. 22) mean — is this about conviction, shame, or transformation?
Why is a person without self-control compared to 'a city that is broken down, and without walls' (v. 28)?
What does verse 2 — 'it is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter' — reveal about God's nature and human calling?
Connection to Christ
Jesus perfectly embodied kindness to enemies — while we were yet sinners, He died for us (Romans 5:8). His words were always fitly spoken, full of grace and truth. Paul directly quotes this chapter's instruction about feeding one's enemy in Romans 12:20, showing that Christ's ethic of radical love fulfills the wisdom of Proverbs.
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through Proverbs 25. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?