Amsal 15:31

15:31 The person ¹  who hears the reproof that leads to life ² 

is at home ³  among the wise. ⁴ 

Amsal 25:12

25:12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold, ⁵ 

so is a wise reprover to the ear of the one who listens. ⁶ 

[15:31]  ¹ tn Heb “ear” (so KJV, NRSV). The term “ear” is a synecdoche of part (= ear) for the whole (= person).

[15:31]  ² tn “Life” is an objective genitive: Reproof brings or preserves life. Cf. NIV “life-giving rebuke”; NLT “constructive criticism.”

[15:31]  ³ tn Heb “lodges.” This means to live with, to be at home with.

[15:31]  ⁴ sn The proverb is one full sentence; it affirms that a teachable person is among the wise.

[25:12]  ⁵ sn This saying is another example of emblematic parallelism; the first half is the simile, and the second half makes the point from it: A wise rebuke that is properly received is of lasting value. The rebuke in the ear of an obedient student is like ornaments of fine jewelry.

[25:12]  ⁶ tn The “ear of the listener” refers to the obedient disciple, the one who complies with the reproof he hears. Cf. KJV, ASV, NAB “an obedient ear.”