Proverbs Chapter 25 verse 26 Holy Bible
`As' a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, `So is' a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.
read chapter 25 in ASV
Like a troubled fountain and a dirty spring, is an upright man who has to give way before evil-doers.
read chapter 25 in BBE
A troubled fountain, and a defiled well, is a righteous [man] that giveth way before the wicked.
read chapter 25 in DARBY
A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
read chapter 25 in KJV
read chapter 25 in WBT
Like a muddied spring, and a polluted well, So is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
read chapter 25 in WEB
A spring troubled, and a fountain corrupt, `Is' the righteous falling before the wicked.
read chapter 25 in YLT
Proverbs 25 : 26 Bible Verse Songs
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 26. - Hebrew (see on Ver. 11), A troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring - a righteous man giving way to the wicked. A good man neglecting to assert himself and to hold his own m the face of sinners, is as useless to society and as harmful to the good cause as a spring that has been defiled by mud stirred up or extraneous matter introduced is unserviceable for drinking and prejudicial to those who use it. The mouth of the righteous should be "a well of life" (Proverbs 10:11), wholesome, refreshing, helpful; his conduct should be consistent and straightforward, fearless in upholding the right (Isaiah 51:12, etc.), uncompromising in opposing sin. When such a man, for fear, or favour, or weakness, or weariness, yields to the wicked, compromises principle, no longer makes a stand for truth and purity and virtue, he loses his high character, brings a scandal on religion, and lowers his own spiritual nature. It is this moral cowardice which Christ so sternly rebukes (Matthew 10:33), "Whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." Some have assumed that the gnome is concerned with a good man's fall into misfortune owing to the machinations of sinners; but in this case the comparison loses its force; such persecution would not disturb the purity or lower the character of the righteous man; it would rather enhance his good qualities, give occasion for their exercise and development, and therefore could not be described as fouling a pure spring.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(26) A righteous man falling down before the wicked . . .--The mouth of the righteous was described (Proverbs 10:11) as a "well of life," from the comfort and refreshment it brings to the weary- through the just and kindly counsel it offers. But if the righteous man yields to the pressure put upon him by the wicked, and through fear or favour gives up his principles, then he can no longer give forth counsel out of a pure heart; he becomes like a fountain which has been fouled by the feet of cattle drinking at it (Ezekiel 34:18), and like a corrupted spring.
