A RULING RIGHTLY GIVEN

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)

Read full chapter
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.

Read full chapter
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

As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable. So are our neighbors' hearts (3).

If I do not exalt myself, and don’t claim a place among great men, a king or neighbor will move my seat to a high place (6). If I listen to a wise judge (12), am trustworthy (13), and am patient (15) rather than bring others hastily to court (8) or betray another’s confidence (9), they will not put me to shame (8). Even a gentle tongue can break a bone (15). Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given (11). It is priceless.

The tongue is a small part of the body, but it can burn a world like a forest is set on file by a small spark (James 3:5-6). But if I tame the tongue, I can encourage neighbors rather than betray another’s confidence. If I tame the tongue, I can give a right ruling and good counsel to others.

Prayer: Father, help me to listen and speak rightly so that I can build up a kingdom or my neighbor.

One Word: Use my words rightly