Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person than to listen to the song of fools. New Living Translation Better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool. English Standard Version It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools. Berean Standard Bible It is better to heed a wise man’s rebuke than to listen to the song of fools. King James Bible It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. New King James Version It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise Than for a man to hear the song of fools. New American Standard Bible It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise person Than for one to listen to the song of fools. NASB 1995 It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man Than for one to listen to the song of fools. NASB 1977 It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man Than for one to listen to the song of fools. Legacy Standard Bible Better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man Than for one to listen to the song of fools. Amplified Bible It is better to listen to the rebuke of the wise man and pursue wisdom Than for one to listen to the song of fools and pursue stupidity. Christian Standard Bible It is better to listen to rebuke from a wise person than to listen to the song of fools, Holman Christian Standard Bible It is better to listen to rebuke from a wise person than to listen to the song of fools, American Standard Version It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. Contemporary English Version Correction from someone wise is better by far than praise from fools. English Revised Version It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. GOD'S WORD® Translation It is better to listen to wise people who reprimand you than to fools who sing your praises. Good News Translation It is better to have wise people reprimand you than to have stupid people sing your praises. International Standard Version It is better to listen to a wise person's rebuke than to listen to the praise of fools. Majority Standard Bible It is better to heed a wise man?s rebuke than to listen to the song of fools. NET Bible It is better for a person to receive a rebuke from those who are wise than to listen to the song of fools. New Heart English Bible It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. Webster's Bible Translation It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. World English Bible It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than for a man to hear the song of fools. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionBetter to hear a rebuke of a wise man, "" Than [for] a man to hear a song of fools, Young's Literal Translation Better to hear a rebuke of a wise man, Than for a man to hear a song of fools, Smith's Literal Translation Good to hear the reproof of the wise one, above a man hearing the song of the foolish: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIt is better to be rebuked by a wise man, than to be deceived by the flattery of fools. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible It is better to listen to the rebuke of the wise than to listen to the song of fools; New Revised Standard Version It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleIt is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Better to hear the reproof of the wise than a man who hears the song of fools OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, Than for a man to hear the song of fools. Brenton Septuagint Translation It is better to hear a reproof of a wise man, than for a man to hear the song of fools. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Value of Wisdom…4The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure. 5It is better to heed a wise man’s rebuke than to listen to the song of fools. 6For like the crackling of thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This too is futile.… Cross References Proverbs 27:6 The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. Proverbs 15:31 He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. Proverbs 9:8 Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. Proverbs 13:18 Poverty and shame come to him who ignores discipline, but whoever heeds correction is honored. Proverbs 25:12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear. Proverbs 17:10 A rebuke cuts into a man of discernment deeper than a hundred lashes cut into a fool. Psalm 141:5 Let the righteous man strike me; let his rebuke be an act of loving devotion. It is oil for my head; let me not refuse it. For my prayer is ever against the deeds of the wicked. Proverbs 12:1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. Proverbs 19:25 Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware; rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge. Proverbs 28:23 He who rebukes a man will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue. 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. Hebrews 12:11 No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it. James 5:19-20 My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, / consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins. Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Matthew 18:15 If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. Treasury of Scripture It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. better Psalm 141:5 Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities. Proverbs 9:8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Proverbs 13:13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded. the song Psalm 69:12 They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards. Jump to Previous Better Ear Foolish Fools Hear Heed Note Protest Rebuke Song WiseJump to Next Better Ear Foolish Fools Hear Heed Note Protest Rebuke Song WiseEcclesiastes 7 1. remedies against vanity are, a good name2. mortification 7. patience 11. wisdom 23. The difficulty of wisdom It is better to heed a wise man’s rebuke This phrase emphasizes the value of wisdom and correction over superficial pleasures. In biblical context, wisdom is often associated with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). A wise man's rebuke is constructive, aiming to guide and correct, much like the role of prophets in the Old Testament who called people back to righteousness (e.g., Nathan rebuking David in 2 Samuel 12:1-14). The Hebrew culture valued wisdom highly, as seen in the wisdom literature of the Bible, including Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. The rebuke from a wise man is akin to the discipline of a loving father (Proverbs 3:11-12), which is intended for growth and improvement. than to listen to the song of fools Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonTraditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom, wealth, and writings. His reflections in Ecclesiastes offer insights into the meaning of life and the pursuit of wisdom. 2. Wise Man Represents those who possess godly wisdom and understanding, often providing guidance and correction that leads to spiritual growth. 3. Fools In biblical terms, fools are those who reject wisdom and live in a way that is contrary to God's principles. Their "songs" symbolize empty or frivolous distractions. 4. Israel The nation to which Solomon belonged, often the context for his teachings and reflections. 5. The Assembly Ecclesiastes is often seen as a collection of teachings meant for the assembly of God's people, offering practical and spiritual guidance. Teaching Points Value of CorrectionEmbrace correction as a tool for growth. A wise rebuke, though uncomfortable, can lead to personal and spiritual development. Discernment in Listening Develop discernment to distinguish between valuable counsel and empty distractions. Prioritize voices that align with biblical wisdom. Humility in Receiving Feedback Cultivate humility to accept rebuke without defensiveness. Recognize that God often uses others to refine and guide us. Avoiding Foolish Distractions Be wary of engaging in activities or conversations that offer no spiritual benefit. Focus on what edifies and builds up your faith. Pursuit of Wisdom Actively seek out wise mentors and godly counsel. Surround yourself with those who challenge and encourage you in your walk with Christ.Verse 5. - It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise. Gearah, "rebuke," is the word used in Proverbs for the grave admonition which heals and strengthens while it wounds (see Proverbs 13:1; Proverbs 17:10). The silent lessons which a man learns from the contemplation of others' sorrow are rightly supplemented by the salutary correction of the wise man's tongue. Than for a man to hear the song of fools. Shir, "song," is a general term used of sacred or profane song; the connection here with the second clause of ver. 4, etc., leads one to think of the hoister-cue, reckless, often immodest, singing heard in the house of revelry, such as Amos (Amos 6:5) calls "idle songs to the sound of the viol" Koheleth might have heard these in his own country, without drawing his experience from the license of Greek practice or the impurity of Greek lyrics. The Vulgate renders the clause, Quum stultorum adulatione decipi, Than to be deceived by the flattery of tools." This is a paraphrase; the correctness is negatived by the explanation given in the following verse. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew It is betterט֕וֹב (ṭō·wḇ) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good to heed לִשְׁמֹ֖עַ (liš·mō·a‘) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently a wise man’s חָכָ֑ם (ḥā·ḵām) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 2450: Wise rebuke גַּעֲרַ֣ת (ga·‘ă·raṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 1606: A chiding than מֵאִ֕ישׁ (mê·’îš) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person to listen שֹׁמֵ֖עַ (šō·mê·a‘) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently to the song שִׁ֥יר (šîr) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 7892: A song, singing of fools. כְּסִילִֽים׃ (kə·sî·lîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3684: Stupid fellow, dullard, fool Links Ecclesiastes 7:5 NIVEcclesiastes 7:5 NLT Ecclesiastes 7:5 ESV Ecclesiastes 7:5 NASB Ecclesiastes 7:5 KJV Ecclesiastes 7:5 BibleApps.com Ecclesiastes 7:5 Biblia Paralela Ecclesiastes 7:5 Chinese Bible Ecclesiastes 7:5 French Bible Ecclesiastes 7:5 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 7:5 It is better to hear the rebuke (Ecclesiast. 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