Amplified Bible
Proverbs 14:6
6A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none [for his ears are closed to wisdom], But knowledge is easy for one who understands [because he is willing to learn].
Proverbs 14:6 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.
- New International Version (NIV)The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
- English Standard Version (ESV)A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.
- New King James Version (NKJV)A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it, But knowledge is easy to him who understands.
Context of Proverbs 14:6
4Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, But much revenue [because of good crops] comes by the strength of the ox. 5A faithful and trustworthy witness will not lie, But a false witness speaks lies. A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none [for his ears are closed to wisdom], But knowledge is easy for one who understands [because he is willing to learn]. 7Leave the presence of a [shortsighted] fool, For you will not find knowledge or hear godly wisdom from his lips. 8The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way, But the foolishness of [shortsighted] fools is deceit.
Read all of Proverbs 14Proverbs 14:6 word by word
בִּקֶּשׁ־לֵ֣ץ חָכְמָ֣ה וָאָ֑יִן וְדַ֖עַת לְנָב֣וֹן נָקָֽל׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 14:6
- Proverbs 18:2A [closed-minded] fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his personal opinions [unwittingly displaying his self-indulgence and his stupidity].
- Proverbs 26:12Do you see a man [who is unteachable and] wise in his own eyes and full of self-conceit? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
- Isaiah 8:20[Direct those people] to the law and to the testimony! If their teachings are not in accord with this word, it is because they have no dawn.
- Jeremiah 8:9The wise men are shamed, They are dismayed and caught. Behold, they have [manipulated and] rejected the [truth in the] word of the Lord, And what kind of wisdom and insight do they have?
- Matthew 6:22“The eye is the lamp of the body; so if your eye is clear [spiritually perceptive], your whole body will be full of light [benefiting from God’s precepts].
- Matthew 11:25At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth [I openly and joyfully acknowledge Your great wisdom], that You have hidden these things [these spiritual truths] from the wise and intelligent and revealed them to infants [to new believers, to those seeking God’s will and purpose].
- Romans 1:21For even though they knew God [as the Creator], they did not honor Him as God or give thanks [for His wondrous creation]. On the contrary, they became worthless in their thinking [godless, with pointless reasonings, and silly speculations], and their foolish heart was darkened.
- Romans 9:31whereas Israel, [though always] pursuing the law of righteousness, did not succeed in fulfilling the law.
- 1 Corinthians 3:18Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool [discarding his worldly pretensions and acknowledging his lack of wisdom], so that he may become [truly] wise.
- 1 Corinthians 8:2If anyone imagines that he knows and understands anything [of divine matters, without love], he has not yet known as he ought to know.
- 2 Peter 3:3First of all, know [without any doubt] that mockers will come in the last days with their mocking, following after their own human desires
- Proverbs 8:9They are all straightforward to him who understands [with an open and willing mind], And right to those who find knowledge and live by it.
- Proverbs 17:24[Skillful and godly] wisdom is in the presence of a person of understanding [and he recognizes it], But the eyes of a [thickheaded] fool are on the ends of the earth.
- Psalms 119:18Open my eyes [to spiritual truth] so that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law.
- Matthew 13:11Jesus replied to them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.
- James 1:5If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him.
Commentaries on Proverbs 14:6
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 6A scorner seeketh wisdom - I believe the scorner means, in this book, the man that despises the counsel of God; the infidel. Such may seek wisdom; but he never can find it, because he does not seek it where it is to be found; neither in the teaching of God's Spirit, nor in the revelation of his will.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 6Findeth it not - literally, there is none. The successful pursuit of wisdom presupposes at least earnestness and reverence. The scoffer shuts himself out from the capacity of recognizing truth.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 6Verse 6 A scorner treats Divine things with contempt. He that feels his ignorance and unworthiness will search the Scriptures in a humble spirit.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 66. An humble, teachable spirit succeeds in seeking (Pr 8:9; Joh 7:17; Jas 1:5, 6).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 14:6
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 14
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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