Proverbs 25 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.
Time Period
Collected during the reign of King Hezekiah (~715-686 BC), containing proverbs originally from Solomon (~970-930 BC)
Location
Jerusalem, Kingdom of Judah
Audience
The people of Judah, court officials, and leaders during Hezekiah's reforms
Situation
Proverbs 25 begins a new collection: 'More proverbs of Solomon, copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah.' This section (chapters 25-29) was compiled roughly 250 years after Solomon.
Key Background
King Hezekiah's scribes collected and edited these Solomonic proverbs as part of a broader cultural and religious revival (2 Kings 18-20, 2 Chronicles 29-32). This editorial note (v.1) is significant — it shows biblical wisdom was a living, curated tradition, not static text. Chapter 25 features vivid metaphors: cold water on a parched throat (v.25), a city with broken walls (v.28), and apples of gold in settings of silver (v.11). Many proverbs in this section focus on royal court dynamics and neighborly relations.
These are more of Solomon's copied out by the men who served king of Judah.
It is God's to keep things hidden; it is a king's to search them out.
The heavens are high and the earth is deep, and the of a king -- no one can fathom it.
Remove the from silver, and the silversmith has material for a masterpiece.
Remove the from the king's presence, and his throne will be established on
Don't promote yourself in front of the king, and don't stand in the spot reserved for
It's better to be told, "Come up here," than to be in front of someone powerful. Just because your eyes saw something
don't rush to bring it to Because what will you do in the end when your neighbor proves you wrong?
If you have a dispute with your neighbor, settle it between the two of you, but don't betray someone else's in the process.
Otherwise, whoever hears about it will you, and your bad reputation will follow you forever.
The right word at the right time is like in a
A to a listening ear is like a gold ring or fine gold jewelry.
Like the of at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him -- he refreshes the of his masters.
Someone who boasts about they is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.
With a ruler can be persuaded; a can break through the hardest resistance.
If you find eat just enough -- too much, and you'll throw it up.
Don't out at neighbor's house -- too many visits, and they'll end up hating you.
Someone who their neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
Trusting an in a crisis is like a broken tooth or a foot that gives out.
Singing cheerful songs to someone with a is like taking off their coat on a cold day, or pouring vinegar on a wound.
If your is hungry, feed him; if he's thirsty, give him water to drink.
By doing this, you'll heap on his head, and will reward you.
A north wind brings rain, and a brings angry looks.
Better to live on the corner of a rooftop than to share a house with a
Good news from a is like cold water to someone dying of thirst.
A who gives way before the is like a muddied spring or a polluted well.
Too much honey isn't good for you, and neither is chasing after your own
A person without is like a city with broken-down walls.