Better is open ¹  rebuke than hidden ²  love.

biblegateway Pro 27:5

Better is open rebuke Than love that is concealed.

Better an open reprimand than concealed love.

Open criticism is better than unexpressed love.

biblegateway Pro 27:5

Better is open rebuke than hidden love.

Better is open rebuke than hidden love.

bibleoremus Pro 27:5

Better is open rebuke than hidden love.

Open reproof is better than love concealed.

biblegateway Pro 27:5

Open rebuke is better Than love carefully concealed.

Open rebuke [is] better than secret love.

biblegateway Pro 27:5

Better is open ¹  rebuke than hidden ²  love.

¹ tn Heb “revealed” or “uncovered” (Pual participle from גָּלָה, galah). This would specify the reproof or rebuke as direct, honest, and frank, whether it was coming from a friend or an enemy.

² tn The Hebrew term translated “hidden” (a Pual participle from סָתַר, satar) refers to a love that is carefully concealed; this is contrasted with the open rebuke in the first line. What is described, then, is someone too timid, too afraid, or not trusting enough to admit that reproof is a genuine part of love (W. McKane, Proverbs [OTL], 610). It is a love that is not expressed in proper concern for the one loved. See also, e.g., 28:23 and 29:3.