New King James Version
Ecclesiastes 7:5
5It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise Than for a man 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.
- English Standard Version (ESV)It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than 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 a sad countenance the heart is made better. 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 to hear the rebuke of the wise Than for a man to hear the song of fools. 6For like the crackling of thorns under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity. 7Surely oppression destroys a wise man’s reason, And a bribe debases 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 the righteous strike me; It shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; It shall be as excellent oil; Let my head not refuse it. For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked.
- Proverbs 9:8Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
- Proverbs 13:13He who despises the word will be destroyed, But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.
- Proverbs 15:31The ear that hears the rebukes of life Will abide among the wise.
- Proverbs 17:10Rebuke is more effective for a wise man Than a hundred blows on a fool.
- Proverbs 27:6Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
- Revelation 3:19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
- Psalms 69:12Those who sit in the gate speak against me, And I am the song of the drunkards.
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries