Proverbs 25:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: do not hastily bring into court, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?

NIV: do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame?

NASB: Do not go out hastily to argue your case; Otherwise, what will you do in the end, When your neighbor humiliates you?

CSB: Don’t take a matter to court hastily. Otherwise, what will you do afterward if your opponent humiliates you?

NLT: don’t be in a hurry to go to court. For what will you do in the end if your neighbor deals you a shameful defeat?

KJV: Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

NKJV: Do not go hastily to court; For what will you do in the end, When your neighbor has put you to shame?

A few translations connect the last phrase of the prior verse (Proverbs 25:7) to this teaching. This does not change the essential meaning of the proverb, which is a warning to not get hastily involved in legal matters and accusations. Matthew 18:15–20 includes a similar theme, which is that conflicts are best resolved in the most private setting possible, to avoid false impressions and embarrassment (Matthew 5:23–25).

Sometimes what a person thinks he sees is not the real situation. It is important, therefore, not to haul a neighbor into court unless one has solid evidence and important reason to do so. The plaintiff may not be able to convince the judge that his case is valid. The defendant may put forth convincing evidence that exposes the accusation as groundless. This can be humiliating. Worse, initiating arguments and lawsuits might result in heavier scrutiny; the one who started the quarrel might end up suffering more than their target. The following proverb (Proverbs 25:9–10) contains a similar idea.

It is best to think a matter over carefully and not jump to conclusions. James 1:19 says, "Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger." In James 4:1, the apostle writes, "What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?" When a person drags a neighbor into court without hard evidence against him, it is likely because his passions have short-circuited his brain. It has been observed: When a person's temper gets the best of him, it reveals the worst of him.

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.

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.