English Standard Version
Proverbs 25:4
4Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;
Proverbs 25:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
- New International Version (NIV)Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
- New King James Version (NKJV)Take away the dross from silver, And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Remove the impurities from silver, and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith.
Context of Proverbs 25:4
2It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out. 3As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable. Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel; 5take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness. 6Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great,
Read all of Proverbs 25Proverbs 25:4 word by word
הָג֣וֹ סִיגִ֣ים מִכָּ֑סֶף וַיֵּצֵ֖א לַצֹּרֵ֣ף כֶּֽלִי׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 25:4
- Proverbs 17:3The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.
- Isaiah 1:25I will turn my hand against you and will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy.
- Malachi 3:3He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord.
- 2 Timothy 2:20Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.
- 1 Peter 1:7so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Commentaries on Proverbs 25:4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4Take away the dross from the silver - You cannot have a pure silver vessel till you have purified the silver; and no nation can have a king a public blessing till the wicked - all bad counsellors, wicked and interested ministers, and sycophants - are banished from the court and cabinet. When the wise and good only are the king's ministers and advisers, then the throne will be established in righteousness, and his administration be a universal blessing.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 4-5Verses 4-5 For a prince to suppress vice, and reform his people, is the best way to support his government.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4-5Just as silver is useful after removing impurities, the king’s court can do justice when removing wicked people. A small amount of evil can ruin much good (Ecclesiastes 10:1).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 4-54-5. As separating impurities from ore leaves pure silver, so taking from a king wicked counsellors leaves a wise and beneficent government.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 25:4
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 25
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries