Proverbs 25:4
If workers burn out the impure bits that are in silver, a man who makes things from silver can make something beautiful from the silver.
Translation for Translators
In The King James Version
Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
In Context
Cross References
Psalms 66:10God, you have tested us; you have allowed us to experience great difficulties to make our lives become pure as people put precious metals in a hot fire to burn out what is impure [MET].
Isaiah 1:25I will raise my fist to strike you. I will punish you severely [MET], as though [MET] you were silver and I needed to heat you very greatly to melt you and get rid of the impurities.
Malachi 3:2But will anyone [RHQ] be able to survive when he comes? Will anyone [RHQ] be able to remain standing in front of him? Certainly not, because he will be like [SIM] a blazing fire that refines/purifies metal/gold. He will be like [SIM] a very strong soap that bleaches clothes.
2 Timothy 2:20In a wealthy person’s house there are not only utensils made of gold and of silver, but also utensils made of wood and of clay. The gold and silver utensils are used at special occasions/events, and the others are used at ordinary occasions. Similarly, in a congregation there are those who ◄ are ready/desire► to do great things for the Lord Jesus, and there are those like the teachers of false doctrines/teachings who are not.
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 25:3-4
Prudential Maxims. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. 3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable. Here is, 1. An instance given of the honour of God: It is his glory to conceal a matter. He needs not search into any thing, for he perfectly knows every thing by a clear and certain view, and nothing can be hidden from him; and yet his own way is in the sea and his path in the great waters. There is an… Read the whole commentary →