Proverbs 25:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end.

NIV: or the one who hears it may shame you and the charge against you will stand.

NASB: Or one who hears it will put you to shame, And the evil report about you will not pass away.

CSB: otherwise, the one who hears will disgrace you, and you’ll never live it down.

NLT: Others may accuse you of gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation.

KJV: Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.

NKJV: Lest he who hears it expose your shame, And your reputation be ruined.

This completes the teaching begun in the prior verse. Caution is always advised before getting involved in court matters or making public accusations. Better to find out, in private, that you were wrong than to be embarrassed in public. This principle echoes Jesus' teaching in Matthew 18:15–20, which commends resolving disputes as privately as possible before moving to a public disagreement. Going against a neighbor in court for false or frivolous reasons can result in public shame or even a ruined reputation.

Arguing with a neighbor over a trivial matter contradicts the spirit behind the the commandment, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16). It rejects God's command to love one's neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18). Making a minor issue seem like something egregious is, itself, a form of deception and manipulation. The Lord commanded Israel: "You shall do no injustice in court" (Leviticus 19:15), and "You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him" (Leviticus 19:17). The apostle Paul directs believers to "repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all" (Romans 12:17–18).

Proverbs 25:1–10 contains sage advice regarding kingship, both for the ruler and their subjects. Avoiding arrogance is also mentioned. It's better to be humble, then praised by others, instead of being dismissed for exaggeration. This extends also to disputes and lawsuits. Most disputes are best settled in private, when such is possible.

This chapter includes more statements from Solomon, copied by scribes of King Hezekiah many years later. The first section speaks about the risks of arrogance. The next gives comparisons which teach spiritual lessons. The last segment teaches about relationships, reputation, and self-control.

Chapter 25 begins to relate more wise statements from Solomon. Depending on where they are divided or combined, these amount to around one hundred portions of godly wisdom. These were compiled and added about 250 years after Solomon's reign by men under the direction of King Hezekiah. The phrasing used in verse 1 suggests these were copied from other records into the scrolls associated with the prior proverbs. This collection runs through the end of chapter 29.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.