Proverbs 25

Proverbs · Chapter 25

Proverbs 25:22

1These 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.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
22For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.For thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head, And Jehovah will reward thee.

In context

Who is speaking and to whom, what is happening, when and where, and why it matters, each with its sources. Coming with the context cards.

Original Hebrew words

EnglishHebrewSay itStrong'sMeaning
forכִּ֤יkiH3588A
for

כִּי (ki) 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

burning coalsגֶֽחָלִ֗יםge-cha-LIMH1513
coal

גַּחֶ֫לֶת (ge.chel) coal, burning coal, coals of fire, hot coals

youאַ֭תָּה'A-tahH0859A
you

אַנְתָּה (an.tah) you, thou (second pers. sing.) Aramaic of at.tah (אַתָּ֫ה "you(m.s.)" H0859A)

[will] snatch upחֹתֶ֣הcho-TEHH2846
to snatch up

חָתָה (cha.tah) (Qal) to take hold of, seize, take away, pile up, snatch up (coals)

onעַל־'al-H5921A
upon

עַל (al) prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) …

head hisרֹאשׁ֑וֹro-SHOH7218A
head

רֵאשׁ (resh) 1) chief, head 1a) head (of man) 1b) head (as seat of visions) 1c) chief 1d) sum (essential content)

and Yahwehוַֽ֝יהוָ֗הva-YAH-wehH3068G
Lord

אֲדֹנָי (a.do.nai) Lord - a title, spoken in place of Yahweh in Jewish display of reverence Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

he will repayיְשַׁלֶּם־ye-sha-lem-H7999A
to complete

שָׁלֵם (sa.lem) 1) to be complete, be sound 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be complete, be finished, be ended 1a2) to be sound, be uninjured 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to complete, finish 1b2) to make safe 1b3) to make whole or good, restore, make compensation 1b4) to make good, pay 1b5) to requite, recompense, reward 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be performed 1c2) to be repaid, be requited 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to complete, perform 1d2) to make an end of Aramaic equivalent: she.lam (שְׁלֵם "be complete" H8000)

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.