New Living Translation
Proverbs 15:14
14A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.
Proverbs 15:14 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
- New International Version (NIV)The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
Context of Proverbs 15:14
12Mockers hate to be corrected, so they stay away from the wise. 13A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit. A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash. 15For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast. 16Better to have little, with fear for the Lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil.
Read all of Proverbs 15Proverbs 15:14 word by word
לֵ֣ב נָ֭בוֹן יְבַקֶּשׁ־דָּ֑עַת וּפִ֥י כְ֝סִילִ֗ים יִרְעֶ֥ה אִוֶּֽלֶת׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- The heartלֵבlêb · heartH3820
- of him that hath understandingבִּיןbîyn · to understandH995
- seekethבָּקַשׁbâqash · to seekH1245
- knowledgeדַּ֫עַתda‛ath · knowledgeH1847
- but the mouthפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440
- but the mouthפֶּהpeh · lipH6310
- of foolsכְּסִילkesîyl · foolH3684
- feedethרָעָהrâ‛âh · to pastureH7462
- on foolishnessאִוֶּ֫לֶת'ivveleth · follyH200
Cross-references for Proverbs 15:14
- Proverbs 1:5Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance
- Proverbs 9:9Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.
- 1 Kings 3:6Solomon replied, “You showed great and faithful love to your servant my father, David, because he was honest and true and faithful to you. And you have continued to show this great and faithful love to him today by giving him a son to sit on his throne.
- Psalms 119:97Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long.
- Acts 17:11And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.
- 2 Peter 3:18Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.
- Proverbs 12:23The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge, but fools broadcast their foolishness.
- Isaiah 30:10They tell the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” They tell the prophets, “Don’t tell us what is right. Tell us nice things. Tell us lies.
- Isaiah 44:20The poor, deluded fool feeds on ashes. He trusts something that can’t help him at all. Yet he cannot bring himself to ask, “Is this idol that I’m holding in my hand a lie?”
- Hosea 12:1The people of Israel feed on the wind; they chase after the east wind all day long. They pile up lies and violence; they are making an alliance with Assyria while sending olive oil to buy support from Egypt.
Commentaries on Proverbs 15:14
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14Verse 14 A wise man seeks to gain more wisdom, growing in grace and in the knowledge of Christ. But a carnal mind rests contented, flattering itself.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 14Our preference for knowledge or trivial things shows if we are pursuing wisdom or foolishness.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1414. (Compare Pr 10:21, 22). The wise grow wiser, the fools more foolish (Pr 9:9).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 15:14
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 15
- 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
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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