English Standard Version
Ecclesiastes 7:5
5It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools.
Ecclesiastes 7:5 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
- New International Version (NIV)It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person than to listen to the song of fools.
- New King James Version (NKJV)It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise Than for a man to hear the song of fools.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool.
Context of Ecclesiastes 7:5
3Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad. 4The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools. 6For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fools; this also is vanity. 7Surely oppression drives the wise into madness, and a bribe corrupts the heart.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 7Ecclesiastes 7:5 word by word
ט֕וֹב לִשְׁמֹ֖עַ גַּעֲרַ֣ת חָכָ֑ם מֵאִ֕ישׁ שֹׁמֵ֖עַ שִׁ֥יר כְּסִילִֽים׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 7:5
- Psalms 141:5Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it. Yet my prayer is continually against their evil deeds.
- Proverbs 9:8Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
- Proverbs 13:13Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.
- Proverbs 15:31The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
- Proverbs 17:10A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.
- Proverbs 27:6Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
- Revelation 3:19Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.
- Psalms 69:12I am the talk of those who sit in the gate, and the drunkards make songs about me.
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 7:5
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 5-6Praise from a fool and enjoying a fool’s laughter are temporary and worthless. Criticism from a wise person can lead to real benefits (Proverbs 17:10).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 55. (Psa 141:4, 5). Godly reproof offends the flesh, but benefits the spirit. Fools' songs in the house of mirth please the flesh, but injure the soul.Read the comment
Topics related to Ecclesiastes 7:5
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 7
- 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
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries