Proverbs 15:31
New International Version
Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.

New Living Translation
If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.

English Standard Version
The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.

Berean Standard Bible
He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.

King James Bible
The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

New King James Version
The ear that hears the rebukes of life Will abide among the wise.

New American Standard Bible
One whose ear listens to a life-giving rebuke Will stay among the wise.

NASB 1995
He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof Will dwell among the wise.

NASB 1977
He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof Will dwell among the wise.

Legacy Standard Bible
He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof Will lodge among the wise.

Amplified Bible
The ear that listens to and learns from the life-giving rebuke (reprimand, censure) Will remain among the wise.

Christian Standard Bible
One who listens to life-giving rebukes will be at home among the wise.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
One who listens to life-giving rebukes will be at home among the wise.

American Standard Version
The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life Shall abide among the wise.

Contemporary English Version
Healthy correction is good, and if you accept it, you will be wise.

English Revised Version
The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life shall abide among the wise.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The ear that listens to a life-giving warning will be at home among wise people.

Good News Translation
If you pay attention when you are corrected, you are wise.

International Standard Version
Whoever listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.

Majority Standard Bible
He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.

NET Bible
The person who hears the reproof that leads to life is at home among the wise.

New Heart English Bible
The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home among the wise.

Webster's Bible Translation
The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

World English Bible
The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home among the wise.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
An ear that is hearing the reproof of life "" Lodges among the wise.

Young's Literal Translation
An ear that is hearing the reproof of life Doth lodge among the wise.

Smith's Literal Translation
The ear hearing the reproof of life shall lodge in the midst of the wise.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The ear that heareth the reproofs of life, shall abide in the midst of the wise.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The ear that listens to the reproofs of life shall abide in the midst of the wise.

New American Bible
The ear that listens to salutary reproof is at home among the wise.

New Revised Standard Version
The ear that heeds wholesome admonition will lodge among the wise.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The ear that hears the reproof of life abides among the wise.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The ear that hears the reproof of life will lodge among the wise.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath
30The light of the eyes cheers the heart, and good news nourishes the bones. 31 He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. 32He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.…

Cross References
Proverbs 12:1
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.

Proverbs 19:20
Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.

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 9:8-9
Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. / Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.

Proverbs 10:17
Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who ignores reproof goes astray.

Proverbs 27:5-6
Better an open rebuke than love that is concealed. / The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

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.

Ecclesiastes 7:5
It is better to heed a wise man’s rebuke than to listen to the song of fools.

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.

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 1:19-20
My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, / for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, / so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

Revelation 3:19
Those I love I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent.

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.


Treasury of Scripture

The ear that hears the reproof of life stays among the wise.

ear

Proverbs 15:5
A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

Proverbs 1:23
Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.

Proverbs 9:8,9
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee…

abideth

John 15:3,4
Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you…

1 John 2:19
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

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Proverbs 15
1. A gentle answer turns away wrath














He who listens
The phrase "He who listens" emphasizes the importance of active listening, a recurring theme in the wisdom literature of the Bible. The Hebrew root for "listens" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which means to hear intelligently, often with the implication of obedience. In the ancient Near Eastern context, listening was not merely a passive activity but an active engagement that required a response. This concept is foundational in the Hebrew tradition, where listening to God's word and commandments is paramount. The act of listening is seen as a pathway to wisdom and understanding, aligning oneself with divine truth.

to life-giving reproof
The term "life-giving reproof" combines the idea of correction with the promise of life. The Hebrew word for "reproof" is "תּוֹכַחַת" (tokhachath), which refers to correction or rebuke. However, this is not a harsh or punitive correction but one that is intended to bring life and growth. In the biblical context, reproof is a tool used by God and wise individuals to guide others back to the right path. The phrase suggests that accepting correction is not only beneficial but essential for spiritual vitality and growth. It implies that true wisdom comes from being open to correction and willing to change.

will dwell among the wise
The promise "will dwell among the wise" indicates a reward for those who heed correction. The Hebrew word for "dwell" is "שָׁכַן" (shakan), which means to reside or settle. This implies a sense of belonging and community. In ancient Israel, wisdom was highly valued, and to be counted among the wise was a significant honor. The wise are those who live according to God's principles, and dwelling among them suggests a life enriched by their counsel and example. This phrase underscores the biblical principle that wisdom is not just an individual pursuit but a communal one, where learning and growth occur within the context of a community of believers.

(31) The ear that heareth the reproof of life--i.e., one which does not refuse reproof, or instruction, which leads to life. (Comp. Proverbs 6:23.) The "ear" is put for the person, as in Job 29:11.

Verse 31. - The ear that heareth (hearkeneth to) the reproof of life abideth among the wise (Proverbs 6:23). The reproof, or instruction, of life is that which teaches the true way of pleasing God, which is indeed the only life worth living. The ear, by synecdoche, is put for the person. One who attends to and profits by such admonition may be reckoned among the wise, and rejoices to be conversant with them. Wordsworth finds a more recondite sense here: the ear of the wise dwells, lodges, passes the night (Proverbs 19:23) in their heart, whereas the heart of fools is in their mouth (Proverbs 14:33). This verse is omitted in the Septuagint, though it is found in the other Greek versions and the Latin Vulgate.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He who listens to
שֹׁ֭מַעַת‪‬ (šō·ma·‘aṯ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

life-giving
חַיִּ֑ים (ḥay·yîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

reproof
תּוֹכַ֣חַת (tō·w·ḵa·ḥaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8433: Chastisement, correction, refutation, proof

will dwell
תָּלִֽין׃ (tā·lîn)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3885: To stop, to stay permanently, to be obstinate

among
בְּקֶ֖רֶב (bə·qe·reḇ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7130: The nearest part, the center

the wise.
חֲכָמִ֣ים (ḥă·ḵā·mîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 2450: Wise


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 15:31 The ear that listens to reproof lives (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 15:30
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