They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
Parallel translations
- WEB They are all plain to him who understands, right to those who find knowledge.
- BSB They are all plain to the discerning, and upright to those who find knowledge.
- NKJV They are all plain to him who understands, And right to those who find knowledge.
- NASB “They are all straightforward to him who understands, And right to those who find knowledge.
- NLT My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with 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
Wisdom's words are clear and right to those who seek understanding. The discerning readily grasp her truth.
Overview
To the person who understands and pursues knowledge, wisdom's words are plain and upright. The teachable heart perceives their rightness, while the unwilling remain blind. The verse reminds us that receiving wisdom requires a humble, seeking spirit ready to embrace the truth.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- Prov 14:6A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.
- John 7:17If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
- 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.
- Ps 25:12–14What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
- John 6:45It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
- Prov 15:24The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
- 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.
- Prov 18:1–2Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
- Ps 19:7–8The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
- Ps 119:98–100Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
- Isa 35:8And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
- Prov 15:14The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
- Prov 18:15The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
- Prov 17:24Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
- 1 Cor 2:14–15But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
- Mic 2:7O thou that art named the house of Jacob, is the spirit of the LORD straitened? are these his doings? do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
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 8:9 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.