Proverbs 25:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.

NIV: 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.

NASB: Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters.

CSB: To those who send him, a trustworthy envoy is like the coolness of snow on a harvest day; he refreshes the life of his masters.

NLT: Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer. They revive the spirit of their employer.

KJV: As 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.

NKJV: Like the cold of snow in time of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters.

Harvest is a time of intense work: collecting crops to be processed for the upcoming winter. Even with modern tools, this requires physical labor. In the ancient world, it was even more backbreaking. Modern workers often have access to ice from machines. In Solomon's time, ice and snow could be obtained from mountains, but with much difficulty. Past or present, a cool drink is a great comfort during hot, heavy labor.

Solomon (Proverbs 25:1) assigns that uplifting quality to a person who loyally follows instructions. Knowing someone is diligently carrying out their task brings great relief to a supervisor or king. Other proverbs (Proverbs 10:26; 25:19; 26:6) provide examples of the opposite.

First Corinthians 4:1–2 identifies the servants of Christ as "stewards" and notes that such persons should be "found faithful." Believers are the Lord's messengers, charged with the responsibility to take the good news of salvation into all the world (Matthew 28:19). They are supposed to be faithful stewards of this good news; to serve as ambassadors for Christ by urging unbelievers to be reconciled to God. Through believers, God makes his appeal (2 Corinthians 5:18–20). God is pleased when His servants faithfully carry His message.

Proverbs 25:11–14 includes four comparisons. These use vivid imagery to explain how others react to certain kinds of people. In this passage, descriptions are given of those who speak wise words, who faithfully deliver a message, and those who brag about things they haven't done.

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.