Proverbs 27:5

Better is open reproving, than a love hid. [Better is open amending, than hid love.] (Better be open rebukes, than hidden love.)

Wycliffe Modern Spelling

In The King James Version

Open rebuke is better than secret love.

In Context

4Ire hath no mercy, and strong vengeance breaking out hath no mercy; and who may suffer the fierceness of a spirit stirred? (or and who can survive the fierceness of a stirred up, or a jealous, spirit?)

6Better be the wounds of him that loveth, than the guileful kisses of him that hateth. (Better be the wounds of him who loveth, than the deceitful kisses of him who hateth.)

Read all of Proverbs 27

Cross References

Leviticus 19:17Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart, but reprove thou him openly, lest thou have sin on him. (Thou shalt not hate thy brother in private, but rather, rebuke thou him openly, lest thou sin because of him.)

Matthew 18:15But if thy brother sinneth against thee, go thou, and reprove him, betwixt thee and him alone, (or And if thy brother sinneth against thee, go, and rebuke him, between thee and him alone); if he heareth thee, thou hast won thy brother.

1 Timothy 5:20But reprove thou men that sin before all men, that also others have dread. (And rebuke those who sin before everyone, so that others also have fearful reverence.)

Matthew Henry on Proverbs 27:4-5

3 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both. 4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy? These two verses show the intolerable mischief, 1. Of ungoverned passion. The wrath of a fool, who when he is provoked cares not what he says and does, is more grievous than a great stone or a load of sand. It lies heavily upon himself. Those who have no command of their passions do themselves even sink under the load of them. The wrath of a fool… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Proverbs 27:5