The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.
Parallel translations
- WEB The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
- KJV The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
- NKJV The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
- NASB The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
- NLT Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.
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 wise actively seek and acquire knowledge. A discerning heart and attentive ear are eager to learn.
Overview
This proverb commends the discerning, who pursue knowledge with both heart and ear, ever seeking to grow in understanding. Wisdom is not passive but actively sought by the humble and teachable. Such a posture befits the disciple of Christ, who grows in the knowledge of God (Col. 1:10) and treasures the wisdom that is found fully in the Lord.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Jas 1:5Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
- Prov 15:14A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
- Luke 10:39She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to His message.
- Prov 1:5let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel
- Prov 4:7Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.
- 1 Kgs 3:9Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
- Prov 9:9Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.
- Prov 23:23Invest in truth and never sell it—in wisdom and instruction and understanding.
- Ps 119:97–104Oh, how I love Your law! All day long it is my meditation.
- Prov 4:5Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn from them.
- Prov 10:14The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of the fool invites destruction.
- 2 Tim 3:15–17From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
- Luke 8:8–10Still other seed fell on good soil, where it sprang up and produced a crop—a hundredfold.” As Jesus said this, He called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
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 18:15 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.