God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 25:12
12⌞Like⌟ a gold ring and a fine gold ornament, ⌞so⌟ is constructive criticism to the ear of one who listens.
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.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover 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.
Context of Proverbs 25:12
10Otherwise, when he hears about it, he will humiliate you, and his evil report about you will never disappear. 11⌞Like⌟ golden apples in silver settings, ⌞so⌟ is a word spoken at the right time. ⌞Like⌟ a gold ring and a fine gold ornament, ⌞so⌟ is constructive criticism to the ear of one who listens. 13Like the coolness of snow on a harvest day, ⌞so⌟ is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him: He refreshes his masters. 14⌞Like⌟ a dense fog or a dust storm, ⌞so⌟ is a person who brags about a gift that 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 all his brothers and sisters and everyone who had previously known him came to him. They ate with him at his house, sympathized with him, and comforted him for all the evil the Lord had brought to him. Each one gave him some money and a gold ring.
- Proverbs 1:8My son, listen to your father’s discipline, and do not neglect your mother’s teachings,
- Proverbs 9:8Do not warn a mocker, or he will hate you. Warn a wise person, and he will love you.
- Proverbs 15:5A stubborn fool despises his father’s discipline, but whoever appreciates a warning shows good sense.
- Proverbs 27:5Open criticism is better than unexpressed love.
- 1 Samuel 25:31you shouldn’t have a troubled conscience because you spilled blood for no good reason and claimed your own victory. When the Lord has given you success, remember me.”
- Psalms 141:5A righteous person may strike me or correct me out of kindness. It is like lotion for my head. My head will not refuse it, because my prayer is directed against 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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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