New Living Translation
Proverbs 14:6
6A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.
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
4Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest. 5An honest witness does not lie; a false witness breathes lies. A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding. 7Stay away from fools, for you won’t find knowledge on their lips. 8The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves.
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 have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.
- Proverbs 26:12There is more hope for fools than for people who think they are wise.
- Isaiah 8:20Look to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark.
- Jeremiah 8:9These wise teachers will fall into the trap of their own foolishness, for they have rejected the word of the Lord. Are they so wise after all?
- Matthew 6:22“Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light.
- Matthew 11:25At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike.
- Romans 1:21Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused.
- Romans 9:31But the people of Israel, who tried so hard to get right with God by keeping the law, never succeeded.
- 1 Corinthians 3:18Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise.
- 1 Corinthians 8:2Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much.
- 2 Peter 3:3Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires.
- Proverbs 8:9My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with knowledge.
- Proverbs 17:24Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
- Psalms 119:18Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.
- Matthew 13:11He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not.
- James 1:5If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
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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