New International Version
Proverbs 25:12
12Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is the rebuke of a wise judge 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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.
Context of Proverbs 25:12
10or the one who hears it may shame you and the charge against you will stand. 11Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given. Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear. 13Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him; he refreshes the spirit of his master. 14Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of gifts never given.
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 42:11All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the Lord had brought on him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring.
- Proverbs 1:8Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
- Proverbs 9:8Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.
- Proverbs 15:5A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.
- Proverbs 27:5Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
- 1 Samuel 25:31my lord will not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself. And when the Lord your God has brought my lord success, remember your servant.”
- Psalms 141:5Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it, for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.
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
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