New Living Translation
Proverbs 25:4
4Remove the impurities from silver, and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith.
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;
- English Standard Version (ESV)Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;
- New King James Version (NKJV)Take away the dross from silver, And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry.
Context of Proverbs 25:4
2It is God’s privilege to conceal things and the king’s privilege to discover them. 3No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth, or all that goes on in the king’s mind! Remove the impurities from silver, and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith. 5Remove the wicked from the king’s court, and his reign will be made secure by justice. 6Don’t demand an audience with the king or push for a place among 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 17:3Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart.
- Isaiah 1:25I will raise my fist against you. I will melt you down and skim off your slag. I will remove all your impurities.
- Malachi 3:3He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord.
- 2 Timothy 2:20In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use.
- 1 Peter 1:7These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
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
New Living Translation — © 1996, 2004, 2015 Tyndale House Foundation
Commentaries