King James Version

Ecclesiastes 7:5

It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

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Hebrew

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ט֕וֹבtovgoodטוֹבadjective, adjective, masculine, singular, absolute — “good”, the ordinary formH2896good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well)beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant,…לִשְׁמֹ֖עַlishmoato hearשָׁמַעpreposition, verb, qal, infinitive construct — “to hear”, the to-form of the verbH8085to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)[idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) n…גַּעֲרַ֣תgaaratrebukeגְּעָרָהnoun, common, feminine, singular, construct — “rebuke”, the of-form, joined to the next wordH1606a chidingrebuke(-ing), reproof.חָכָ֑םchakhamwise , manחָכָםadjective, adjective, masculine, singular, absolute — “wise , man”, the ordinary formH2450wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful)cunning (man), subtil, (un-), wise((hearted), man).מֵאִ֕ישׁmeishfrom a certainאִישׁpreposition, noun, common, masculine, singular, absolute — “from a certain”, the ordinary formH376a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phra…שֹׁמֵ֖עַshomeahearשָׁמַעverb, qal, participle, absolute — “hear”, a verb used as a describing wordH8085to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)[idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) n…שִׁ֥ירshirsongשִׁירnoun, common, both genders, singular, construct — “song”, the of-form, joined to the next wordH7892a song; abstractly, singingmusical(-ick), [idiom] sing(-er, -ing), song.כְּסִילִֽיםkesilimfoolכְּסִילadjective, adjective, masculine, plural, absolute — “fool”, the ordinary formH3684properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or sillyfool(-ish).

Jewish translation (JPS 1917)

It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

Compare Public-Domain Translations

The King James Version remains the text of this page and the canonical URL.

American Standard Version (1901)

It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the 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,

World English Bible

It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than for a man to hear the song of fools.

Darby Translation

It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise, than to hear the song of fools.

Douay-Rheims

The heart of the wise is where there is mourning, and the heart of fools where there is mirth.

Jewish Publication Society (1917)

It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

Brenton’s Septuagint (1851), English

It is better to hear a reproof of a wise man, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

Septuagint (Brenton’s Greek, 1851)

Ἀγαθὸν τὸ ἀκοῦσαι ἐπιτίμησιν σοφοῦ ὑπὲρ ἄνδρα ἁκούοντα ᾆσμα ἀφρόνων.

American Standard Version (1901)

Young’s Literal Translation

World English Bible

Darby Translation

Douay-Rheims

Jewish Publication Society (1917)

Brenton’s Septuagint (1851), English

Septuagint (Brenton’s Greek, 1851)

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