English Standard Version
Proverbs 25:12
12Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.
Proverbs 25:12 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
- New International Version (NIV)Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear.
- New Living Translation (NLT)To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.
Context of Proverbs 25:12
10lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. 11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear. 13Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters. 14Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.
Read all of Proverbs 25Proverbs 25:12 word by word
נֶ֣זֶם זָ֭הָב וַחֲלִי־כָ֑תֶם מוֹכִ֥יחַ חָ֝כָ֗ם עַל־אֹ֥זֶן שֹׁמָֽעַת׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 25:12
- Job 42:11Then came to him all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before, and ate bread with him in his house. And they showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him. And each of them gave him a piece of money and a ring of gold.
- Proverbs 1:8Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching,
- Proverbs 9:8Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
- Proverbs 15:5A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.
- Proverbs 27:5Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
- 1 Samuel 25:31my lord shall have no cause of grief or pangs of conscience for having shed blood without cause or for my lord working salvation himself. And when the Lord has dealt well with my lord, then remember your servant."
- 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.
Commentaries on Proverbs 25:12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12As an ear-ring of gold - I believe נזם nezem to mean the nose-ring with its pendants; the left nostril is pierced, and a ring put through it, as in the ear. This is very common in almost every part of the East, among women of condition. This is a farther illustration of the above metaphor.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12The theme of this proverb being the same as that of Proverbs 25:11, its occurrence suggests the thought that rings used as ornaments for ears, or nose, or forehead, and other trinkets formed part of the works of art spoken of in the foregoing note, and that the king had something at once pointed and wise to say of each of them.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-12Verses 11-12 A word of counsel, or reproof, rightly spoken, is especially beautiful, as fine fruit becomes still more beautiful in silver baskets.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 11-12Timely advice and valid criticism are valuable, beautiful, and rare (see also Proverbs 15:23; 26:7, 9). We should welcome them (see Proverbs 10:17; 13:1, 10; 15:24, 31–32; 17:10).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. Those who desire to know and do rightly, most highly esteem good counsel (Pr 9:9; 15:31). The listening ear is better than one hung with gold.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 25:12
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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries