11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances . 12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise reprover to a listening ear .
13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters .
14 Like clouds and wind without rain Is a man who boasts of his gifts falsely .
15 By forbearance e a ruler may be persuaded , And a soft tongue breaks the bone .
16 Have you found honey ? Eat only what you need , That you not have it in excess and vomit it.
17 Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor's house , Or he will become weary of you and hate you.
18 Like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow Is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor .
19 Like a bad tooth and an unsteady foot Is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble .
20 Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day , or like vinegar on soda , Is he who sings songs to a troubled heart .
21 If your enemy is hungry , give him food to eat ; And if he is thirsty , give him water to drink ; 22 For you will heap burning coals on his head , And the Lord will reward you.
23 The north wind brings forth rain , And a backbiting tongue , an angry countenance .
24 It is better to live in a corner of the roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman .
25 Like cold water to a weary soul , So is good news from a distant land .
26 Like a trampled spring and a polluted well Is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked .
27 It is not good to eat much honey , Nor is it glory to search out one's own glory .
28 Like a city that is broken into and without walls Is a man who has no control over his spirit .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 25:11-28
Commentary on Proverbs 25:11-12
(Read Proverbs 25:11-12)
A word of counsel, or reproof, rightly spoken, is especially beautiful, as fine fruit becomes still more beautiful in silver baskets.
Commentary on Proverbs 25:13
(Read Proverbs 25:13)
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.
Commentary on Proverbs 25:14
(Read Proverbs 25:14)
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.
Commentary on Proverbs 25:15
(Read Proverbs 25:15)
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.
Commentary on Proverbs 25:16
(Read Proverbs 25:16)
God has given us leave to use grateful things, but we are cautioned against excess.
Commentary on Proverbs 25:17
(Read Proverbs 25:17)
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.
Commentary on Proverbs 25:18
(Read Proverbs 25:18)
A false testimony is dangerous in every thing.
Commentary on Proverbs 25:19
(Read Proverbs 25:19)
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.
Commentary on Proverbs 25:20
(Read Proverbs 25:20)
We take a wrong course if we think to relieve those in sorrow by endeavouring to make them merry.
Commentary on Proverbs 25:21-22
(Read Proverbs 25:21-22)
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.
Commentary on Proverbs 25:23
(Read Proverbs 25:23)
Slanders would not be so readily spoken, if they were not readily heard. Sin, if it receives any check, becomes cowardly.
Commentary on Proverbs 25:24
(Read Proverbs 25:24)
It is better to be alone, than to be joined to one who is a hinderance to the comfort of life.
Commentary on Proverbs 25:25
(Read Proverbs 25:25)
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!
Commentary on Proverbs 25:26
(Read Proverbs 25:26)
When the righteous are led into sin, it is as hurtful as if the public fountains were poisoned.
Commentary on Proverbs 25:27
(Read Proverbs 25:27)
We must be, through grace, dead to the pleasures of sense, and also to the praises of men.
Commentary on Proverbs 25:28
(Read Proverbs 25:28)
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.