A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.
Parallel translations
- WEB A scoffer seeks wisdom, and doesn’t find it, but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person.
- BSB A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
- ESV A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.
- NKJV A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it, But knowledge is easy to him who understands.
- NASB A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none, But knowledge is easy for one who has understanding.
- NLT A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but the discerning find knowledge easily. A humble, teachable heart is the prerequisite for wisdom.
Overview
The mocker looks for wisdom yet cannot find it because his scornful spirit bars the way, while the discerning person, approaching humbly, gains knowledge readily. The difference lies not in access but in attitude. This reflects the principle that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7) and that God gives wisdom to the humble.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- Jas 1:5If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
- Matt 13:11–12He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
- Matt 11:25–27At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
- Prov 8:9They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
- 1 Cor 3:18–19Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
- 1 Cor 8:2And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
- Jer 8:9The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom is in them?
- Prov 18:2A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
- Ps 119:18Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
- Prov 26:12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
- Ps 119:98–100Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
- Prov 17:24Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
- Matt 6:22–23The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
- Rom 1:21–28Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
- 2 Pet 3:3–5Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
- Isa 8:20To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
- Rom 9:31–32But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 14:6 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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