New English Translation
Proverbs 14:6
6The scorner seeks wisdom but finds none, but understanding is easy for a discerning person.
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 feeding trough is clean, but an abundant harvest is produced by strong oxen. 5A truthful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies. The scorner seeks wisdom but finds none, but understanding is easy for a discerning person. 7Leave the presence of a foolish person, or you will not understand wise counsel. 8The wisdom of the shrewd person is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deception.
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 fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only in disclosing what is on his mind.
- Proverbs 26:12Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
- Isaiah 8:20Then you must recall the Lord’s instructions and the prophetic testimony of what would happen. Certainly they say such things because their minds are spiritually darkened.
- Jeremiah 8:9Your wise men will be put to shame. They will be dumbfounded and be brought to judgment. Since they have rejected the word of the Lord, what wisdom do they really have?
- Matthew 6:22“The eye is the lamp of the body. If then your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light.
- Matthew 11:25At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and revealed them to little children.
- Romans 1:21For although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or give him thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts and their senseless hearts were darkened.
- Romans 9:31but Israel even though pursuing a law of righteousness did not attain it.
- 1 Corinthians 3:18Guard against self-deception, each of you. If someone among you thinks he is wise in this age, let him become foolish so that he can become wise.
- 1 Corinthians 8:2If someone thinks he knows something, he does not yet know to the degree that he needs to know.
- 2 Peter 3:3Above all, understand this: In the last days blatant scoffers will come, being propelled by their own evil urges
- Proverbs 8:9All of them are clear to the discerning and upright to those who find knowledge.
- Proverbs 17:24Wisdom is directly in front of the discerning person, but the eyes of a fool run to the ends of the earth.
- Psalms 119:18Open my eyes so I can truly see the marvelous things in your law!
- Matthew 13:11He replied, “You have been given the opportunity to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but they have not.
- James 1:5But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, 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
New English Translation — © 1996-2016 Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C.
Commentaries