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cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad6.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/proverbs/25-25.htm" title="Proverbs 25:25">◄</a> Proverbs 25:26 <a href="/proverbs/25-27.htm" title="Proverbs 25:27">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/25.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/25.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/25.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />If the godly give in to the wicked, it’s like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/25.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/25.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/25.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />A righteous man falling down before the wicked <i>is as</i> a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/25.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />A righteous <i>man</i> who falters before the wicked <i>Is like</i> a murky spring and a polluted well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/25.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br /><i>Like</i> a trampled spring and a polluted well, <i>So</i> is a righteous person who gives way before the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/25.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Like a trampled spring and a polluted well Is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/25.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br /><i>Like</i> a trampled spring and a polluted well Is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/25.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br /><i>Like</i> a muddied spring and a corrupted well Is a righteous man shaking before the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/25.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Like a muddied fountain and a polluted spring Is a righteous man who yields <i>and</i> compromises his integrity before the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/25.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A righteous person who yields to the wicked is like a muddied spring or a polluted well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/25.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A righteous person who yields to the wicked is like a muddied spring or a polluted well. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/25.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />As a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, So is a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/25.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />When a good person gives in to the wicked, it's like dumping garbage in a stream of clear water. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/25.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />As a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, so is a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/25.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />[Like] a muddied spring and a polluted well, [so] is a righteous person who gives in to a wicked person.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/25.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />A good person who gives in to someone who is evil reminds you of a polluted spring or a poisoned well. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/25.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />A muddied spring or a polluted well— that's what a righteous person is who compromises with the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/25.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/25.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Like a muddied spring and a polluted well, so is a righteous person who gives way before the wicked. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/25.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Like a muddied spring, and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/25.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a turbid fountain, and a corrupt spring.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/25.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Like a muddied spring and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/25.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />A spring troubled, and a fountain corrupt, "" [Is] the righteous falling before the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/25.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> A spring troubled, and a fountain corrupt, Is the righteous falling before the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/25.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />A fountain trampled down, and a fountain corrupted, the just one turned aside before the unjust one.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/25.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />A just man falling down before the wicked, is as a fountain troubled with the foot, and a corrupted spring. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/25.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The just falling down before the impious is like a fountain stirred up by feet and like a corrupted spring.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/25.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />A trampled fountain or a polluted spring— a just person fallen before the wicked. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/25.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain are the righteous who give way before the wicked.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/25.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Like a stopped fountain or a polluted spring is a righteous man when he falls down before the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/25.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Like a stopped up fountain and a stream of sewage, so is a righteous one that falls down before an evil one.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/25.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />As a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, So is a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/25.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />As if one should stop a well, and corrupt a spring of water, so <i>is it</i> unseemly for a righteous man to fall before an ungodly man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/25-26.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=5261" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/25.htm">More Proverbs of Solomon</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">25</span>Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. <span class="reftext">26</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7515.htm" title="7515: nir·pāś (V-Nifal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To trample, roil water. A primitive root; to trample, i.e. Roil water.">Like a muddied</a> <a href="/hebrew/4599.htm" title="4599: ma‘·yān (N-ms) -- A spring. Or ma ynow; or ma yanah; from ayin; a fountain, figuratively, a source.">spring</a> <a href="/hebrew/7843.htm" title="7843: mā·šə·ḥāṯ (V-Hofal-Prtcpl-ms) -- Perhaps to go to ruin. A primitive root; to decay, i.e. ruin.">or a polluted</a> <a href="/hebrew/4726.htm" title="4726: ū·mā·qō·wr (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- A spring, fountain. ">well</a> <a href="/hebrew/6662.htm" title="6662: ṣad·dîq (Adj-ms) -- Just, righteous. From tsadaq; just.">is a righteous man</a> <a href="/hebrew/4131.htm" title="4131: māṭ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To totter, shake, slip. A primitive root; to waver; by implication, to slip, shake, fall.">who gives way</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê- (Prep-l:: N-mpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/7563.htm" title="7563: rā·šā‘ (Adj-ms) -- Wicked, criminal. From rasha'; morally wrong; concretely, an bad person.">the wicked.</a> </span><span class="reftext">27</span>It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-13.htm">Matthew 5:13</a></span><br />You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its savor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/34-18.htm">Ezekiel 34:18-19</a></span><br />Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of the pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink the clear waters? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet? / Why must My flock feed on what your feet have trampled, and drink what your feet have muddied?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/2-17.htm">2 Peter 2:17</a></span><br />These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-22.htm">Isaiah 1:22</a></span><br />Your silver has become dross; your fine wine is diluted with water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/3-11.htm">James 3:11-12</a></span><br />Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? / My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/2-21.htm">2 Timothy 2:21</a></span><br />So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-20.htm">Isaiah 5:20-23</a></span><br />Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter. / Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. / Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine and champions in mixing strong drink, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/5-6.htm">1 Corinthians 5:6</a></span><br />Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven works through the whole batch of dough?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/15-19.htm">Jeremiah 15:19</a></span><br />Therefore this is what the LORD says: “If you return, I will restore you; you will stand in My presence. And if you speak words that are noble instead of worthless, you will be My spokesman. It is they who must turn to you, but you must not turn to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-33.htm">1 Corinthians 15:33</a></span><br />Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/11-3.htm">Psalm 11:3</a></span><br />If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-9.htm">Galatians 5:9</a></span><br />A little leaven works through the whole batch of dough.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/32-6.htm">Isaiah 32:6</a></span><br />For a fool speaks foolishness; his mind plots iniquity. He practices ungodliness and speaks falsely about the LORD; he leaves the hungry empty and deprives the thirsty of drink.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/14-21.htm">Romans 14:21</a></span><br />It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything to cause your brother to stumble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/69-14.htm">Psalm 69:14-15</a></span><br />Rescue me from the mire and do not let me sink; deliver me from my foes and out of the deep waters. / Do not let the floods engulf me or the depths swallow me up; let not the Pit close its mouth over me.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/4-8.htm">Genesis 4:8</a></b></br> And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/22-14.htm">1 Samuel 22:14-18</a></b></br> Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who <i>is so</i> faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king's son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/24-21.htm">2 Chronicles 24:21,22</a></b></br> And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/19-28.htm">Corrupt</a> <a href="/psalms/53-1.htm">Corrupted</a> <a href="/psalms/106-39.htm">Defiled</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-22.htm">Dirty</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-5.htm">Evil-Doers</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-17.htm">Falling</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-4.htm">Fountain</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-23.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/ezekiel/34-19.htm">Muddied</a> <a href="/psalms/106-38.htm">Polluted</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-24.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-15.htm">Spring</a> <a href="/psalms/56-2.htm">Trampled</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-20.htm">Troubled</a> <a href="/job/6-16.htm">Turbid</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-24.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-10.htm">Way</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-5.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/32-7.htm">Corrupt</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-47.htm">Corrupted</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-5.htm">Defiled</a> <a href="/songs/5-3.htm">Dirty</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-12.htm">Evil-Doers</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-27.htm">Falling</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-6.htm">Fountain</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-8.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/ezekiel/32-13.htm">Muddied</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-22.htm">Polluted</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-1.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-4.htm">Spring</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-5.htm">Trampled</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-22.htm">Troubled</a> <a href="/job/6-16.htm">Turbid</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-1.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-13.htm">Way</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-23.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 25</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/25-1.htm">observations about kings</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/25-8.htm">and about avoiding causes of quarrels</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/25.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/25.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Like a muddied spring or a polluted well</b><br>In ancient Israel, water sources such as springs and wells were vital for survival, providing necessary hydration and sustenance for both people and livestock. A muddied spring or polluted well would be considered useless and even dangerous, as it could no longer provide clean water. This imagery is used to convey the idea of corruption and loss of purity. In biblical times, water was often a symbol of life and purity (<a href="/psalms/1-3.htm">Psalm 1:3</a>, <a href="/john/4-14.htm">John 4:14</a>). The pollution of a water source would be a significant concern, reflecting the broader theme of maintaining spiritual and moral purity.<p><b>is a righteous man</b><br>The term "righteous man" refers to someone who lives in accordance with God's laws and principles, embodying integrity, justice, and moral uprightness. In the Old Testament, righteousness is often associated with adherence to the covenant and the law given by God (<a href="/deuteronomy/6-25.htm">Deuteronomy 6:25</a>). The righteous are seen as those who walk in God's ways and are blessed for their faithfulness (<a href="/psalms/1.htm">Psalm 1:1-6</a>). This phrase sets up a contrast between the expected purity and steadfastness of a righteous person and the disappointing reality when they fail to uphold these standards.<p><b>who gives way to the wicked</b><br>This phrase highlights the failure of a righteous person to stand firm against evil influences. In biblical context, giving way to the wicked implies a compromise or surrender to sinful behavior or unjust practices. The Bible frequently warns against associating with or succumbing to the influence of the wicked (<a href="/psalms/1.htm">Psalm 1:1</a>, <a href="/proverbs/4-14.htm">Proverbs 4:14-15</a>). The righteous are called to be steadfast and resist evil, serving as a light in a dark world (<a href="/matthew/5-14.htm">Matthew 5:14-16</a>). This failure to resist can lead to a loss of moral authority and effectiveness, akin to a polluted well that can no longer provide life-giving water.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/r/righteous_man.htm">Righteous Man</a></b><br>Represents individuals who strive to live according to God's standards and uphold His righteousness.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/w/wicked.htm">Wicked</a></b><br>Refers to those who act in opposition to God's laws and principles, often leading others astray.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/muddied_spring_/_polluted_well.htm">Muddied Spring / Polluted Well</a></b><br>Metaphors for corruption and loss of purity, illustrating the negative impact of a righteous person compromising with evil.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_against_compromise.htm">Guarding Against Compromise</a></b><br>Believers must be vigilant in maintaining their moral and spiritual integrity, avoiding situations where they might be tempted to compromise their values.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_impact_of_influence.htm">The Impact of Influence</a></b><br>Just as a polluted well affects all who drink from it, a compromised believer can negatively influence others. Christians are called to be a positive influence in the world.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_purity.htm">The Importance of Purity</a></b><br>Maintaining purity in thought, word, and deed is crucial for a believer's witness and effectiveness in God's kingdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/standing_firm_in_righteousness.htm">Standing Firm in Righteousness</a></b><br>In a world where wickedness often prevails, Christians are called to stand firm in their faith and not give way to evil, trusting in God's strength and guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_yielding.htm">The Consequences of Yielding</a></b><br>Yielding to wickedness not only affects the individual but can also lead to a broader corruption within the community of believers.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_25.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 25</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/common_questions_about_proverbs.htm">What are common questions about proverbs?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_disasters_affect_all_people.htm">Proverbs 10:25 says the righteous remain firm in the storm--why then do natural disasters often strike believers and nonbelievers alike?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_faithful_believers_face_hunger.htm">If Proverbs 13:25 suggests the righteous will always have enough to eat, what explains faithful believers who endure hunger or famine?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'father_of_lights'_mean.htm">What defines quality of life?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/25.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(26) <span class= "bld">A righteous man falling down before the wicked </span>. . .--The mouth of the righteous was described (<a href="/proverbs/10-11.htm" title="The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.">Proverbs 10:11</a>) 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 (<a href="/ezekiel/34-18.htm" title="Seems it a small thing to you to have eaten up the good pasture, but you must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but you must foul the residue with your feet?">Ezekiel 34:18</a>), and like a corrupted spring.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/25.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 26.</span> - Hebrew (see on Ver. 11), <span class="cmt_word">A troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring - a righteous man giving way to the wicked.</span> 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" (<a href="/proverbs/10-11.htm">Proverbs 10:11</a>), wholesome, refreshing, helpful; his conduct should be consistent and straightforward, fearless in upholding the right (<a href="/isaiah/51-12.htm">Isaiah 51:12</a>, 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 (<a href="/matthew/10-33.htm">Matthew 10:33</a>), "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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/25-26.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Like a muddied</span><br /><span class="heb">נִ֭רְפָּשׂ</span> <span class="translit">(nir·pāś)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7515.htm">Strong's 7515: </a> </span><span class="str2">To trample, roil water</span><br /><br /><span class="word">spring</span><br /><span class="heb">מַעְיָ֣ן</span> <span class="translit">(ma‘·yān)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4599.htm">Strong's 4599: </a> </span><span class="str2">A fountain, a source</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or a polluted</span><br /><span class="heb">מָשְׁחָ֑ת</span> <span class="translit">(mā·šə·ḥāṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hofal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7843.htm">Strong's 7843: </a> </span><span class="str2">Perhaps to go to ruin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">well</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמָק֣וֹר</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mā·qō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4726.htm">Strong's 4726: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something dug, a, source, of happiness, wisdom, progeny)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is a righteous man</span><br /><span class="heb">צַ֝דִּ֗יק</span> <span class="translit">(ṣad·dîq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6662.htm">Strong's 6662: </a> </span><span class="str2">Just, righteous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who gives way</span><br /><span class="heb">מָ֣ט</span> <span class="translit">(māṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4131.htm">Strong's 4131: </a> </span><span class="str2">To waver, to slip, shake, fall</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">לִפְנֵֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(lip̄·nê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the wicked.</span><br /><span class="heb">רָשָֽׁע׃</span> <span class="translit">(rā·šā‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7563.htm">Strong's 7563: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wrong, an, bad person</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/25-26.htm">Proverbs 25:26 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/25-26.htm">Proverbs 25:26 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/25-26.htm">Proverbs 25:26 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/25-26.htm">Proverbs 25:26 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/25-26.htm">Proverbs 25:26 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/25-26.htm">Proverbs 25:26 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/25-26.htm">Proverbs 25:26 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/25-26.htm">Proverbs 25:26 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/25-26.htm">Proverbs 25:26 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/25-26.htm">Proverbs 25:26 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/25-26.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 25:26 Like a muddied spring and a polluted (Prov. 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