Ecclesiastes 7:5
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 Version
Better 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 Bible
It is better to be rebuked by a wise man, than to be deceived by the flattery of fools.

Catholic Public Domain Version
It is better to be corrected by a wise man, than to be deceived by the false praise of the foolish.

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 Bible
It 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 1917
It 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.

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Better Ear Foolish Fools Hear Heed Note Protest Rebuke Song Wise
Ecclesiastes 7
1. remedies against vanity are, a good name
2. mortification
7. patience
11. wisdom
23. The difficulty of wisdom














It is better
The phrase "It is better" sets a comparative framework that is common in wisdom literature, particularly in the book of Ecclesiastes. The Hebrew word used here is "טוֹב" (tov), which means "good" or "better." This word often implies a moral or practical superiority. In the context of Ecclesiastes, it suggests a pursuit of wisdom and understanding over superficial pleasures. The author, traditionally believed to be Solomon, uses this phrase to guide the reader towards choices that lead to spiritual and moral growth.

to heed
The Hebrew root for "to heed" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which means to listen, hear, or obey. This word implies an active engagement, not just passive listening. In the biblical context, "heeding" often involves a transformation or change in behavior. It is a call to action, urging the reader to not only hear but to internalize and act upon the wisdom being offered.

a wise man’s rebuke
The term "wise man" comes from the Hebrew "חָכָם" (chakam), which denotes someone who possesses wisdom, often associated with experience and godly insight. A "rebuke" is translated from "גָּעַר" (ga'ar), meaning a reprimand or correction. In the biblical tradition, a wise man's rebuke is seen as a valuable tool for personal growth and correction. Proverbs 27:5-6 supports this by stating, "Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend." The rebuke from a wise man is intended to guide one back to the path of righteousness and truth.

than to listen
The word "listen" here is again derived from "שָׁמַע" (shama), emphasizing the contrast between active listening to wisdom and passive hearing of folly. The repetition of this root word underscores the importance of discernment in what one chooses to internalize and follow.

to the song of fools
The "song of fools" is a metaphorical expression. The Hebrew word for "fools" is "כְּסִילִים" (kesilim), which refers to those who are morally and spiritually deficient. In ancient Israelite culture, songs were often used to convey messages, celebrate, or entertain. The "song of fools" represents the empty, distracting, and often misleading allure of worldly pleasures and superficial entertainment. It is a warning against the seductive nature of folly that can lead one away from wisdom and truth.

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 better
ט֕וֹב (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


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OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 7:5 It is better to hear the rebuke (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.)
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