New International Version
Proverbs 14:6
6The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.
Context of Proverbs 14:6
4Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests. 5An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies. The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. 7Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips. 8The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, 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 18:2Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.
- Proverbs 26:12Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.
- Isaiah 8:20Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.
- Jeremiah 8:9The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the Lord, what kind of wisdom do they have?
- Matthew 6:22“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are 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 learned, and revealed them to little children.
- Romans 1:21For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
- Romans 9:31but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal.
- 1 Corinthians 3:18Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise.
- 1 Corinthians 8:2Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know.
- 2 Peter 3:3Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.
- Proverbs 8:9To the discerning all of them are right; they are upright to those who have found knowledge.
- Proverbs 17:24A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
- Psalms 119:18Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.
- Matthew 13:11He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.
- James 1:5If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
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 International Version — © NIV® 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 Biblica
Commentaries