AN APT WORD

Passage: Proverbs 25:1-15

Key verse: 11

NIV

More Proverbs of Solomon

25 These are more proverbs(A) of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:(B)

2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
    to search out a matter is the glory of kings.(C)
3 As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,
    so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.

4 Remove the dross from the silver,
    and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
5 remove wicked officials from the king’s presence,(D)
    and his throne will be established(E) through righteousness.(F)

6 Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence,
    and do not claim a place among his great men;
7 it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”(G)
    than for him to humiliate you before his nobles.

What you have seen with your eyes
8     do not bring[a] hastily to court,
for what will you do in the end
    if your neighbor puts you to shame?(H)

9 If you take your neighbor to court,
    do not betray another’s confidence,
10 or the one who hears it may shame you
    and the charge against you will stand.

11 Like apples[b] of gold in settings of silver(I)
    is a ruling rightly given.
12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold
    is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.(J)

13 Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time
    is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him;
    he refreshes the spirit of his master.(K)
14 Like clouds and wind without rain
    is one who boasts of gifts never given.

15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,(L)
    and a gentle tongue can break a bone.(M)

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Footnotes
  1. Proverbs 25:8 Or nobles / on whom you had set your eyes. / 8 Do not go
  2. Proverbs 25:11 Or possibly apricots
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

More Proverbs of Solomon

25 These also are (A)proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.

2 It is the glory of God to (B)conceal things,
    but the glory of kings is to (C)search things out.
3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,
    so the heart of kings is (D)unsearchable.
4 Take away (E)the dross from the silver,
    and (F)the smith has material for a vessel;
5 take away (G)the wicked from the presence of the king,
    and his (H)throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence
    or stand in the place of the great,
7 for (I)it is better to be told, “Come up here,”
    than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.

What your eyes have seen
8     (J)do not hastily bring into court,[a]
for[b] what will you do in the end,
    when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 (K)Argue your case with your neighbor himself,
    and do not reveal another's secret,
10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you,
    and your ill repute have no end.

11 (L)A word fitly spoken
    is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
12 Like (M)a gold ring or an ornament of gold
    is a wise reprover to (N)a listening ear.
13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
    is (O)a faithful messenger to those who send him;
    he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Like (P)clouds and wind without rain
    is a man who (Q)boasts of a gift he does not give.

15 With (R)patience a ruler may be persuaded,
    and a soft tongue will break a bone.

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Footnotes
  1. Proverbs 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court
  2. Proverbs 25:8 Hebrew or else
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. A godly leader (1-7) God has hidden secrets. A godly leader needs time to search for God's will alone to lead his people well. A leader is established in righteousness by removing the wicked as removing dross from silver. We should have humble hearts before God and leaders. We should not exalt ourselves rather others may commend us. 2. An apt word (8-15) Here Solomon emphasizes the importance of a spoken word. Hasty witnesses and betraying another man's confidence are in not acceptable under any circumstance. Instead an aptly spoken word and a wise rebuke to a listening ear are very worthwhile. A trustworthy messenger refreshes the spirit. Rather than boasting of gifts, we must give them. A gentle tongue looks weak but it can break a bone.

Prayer: Lord, remove wickedness from my heart. Let me be a trustworthy messenger of Jesus Christ.

One Word: Speak apt words