A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none, But knowledge is easy for one who has understanding.
Parallel translations
- WEB A scoffer seeks wisdom, and doesn’t find it, but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person.
- KJV A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.
- BSB A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
- NKJV A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it, But knowledge is easy to him who understands.
- NLT A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.
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 1:5But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him.
- Matt 13:11–12He answered them, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but it is not given to them.
- Matt 11:25–27At that time, Jesus answered, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to infants.
- Prov 8:9They are all plain to him who understands, right to those who find knowledge.
- 1 Cor 3:18–19Let no one deceive himself. If anyone thinks that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise.
- 1 Cor 8:2But if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he doesn’t yet know as he ought to know.
- Jer 8:9The wise men are disappointed. They are dismayed and trapped. Behold, they have rejected Yahweh’s word. What kind of wisdom is in them?
- Prov 18:2A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.
- Ps 119:18Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your law.
- Prov 26:12Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
- Ps 119:98–100Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for your commandments are always with me.
- Prov 17:24Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
- Matt 6:22–23“The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light.
- Rom 1:21–28Because, knowing God, they didn’t glorify him as God, neither gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened.
- 2 Pet 3:3–5knowing this first, that in the last days mockers will come, walking after their own lusts,
- Isa 8:20Turn to the law and to the testimony! If they don’t speak according to this word, surely there is no morning for them.
- Rom 9:31–32but Israel, following after a law of righteousness, didn’t arrive at the law of righteousness.
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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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