Bible verses about wisdom
Wisdom in Scripture is less a quantity of knowledge than a way of behaving, and the passage that asks where it can be found answers that men can mine anything out of the earth except this. Each passage has a sentence under it.
But 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. — James 1:5 · WEB
God's giving is described without a single qualification, and the only obstacle named is a division inside the person asking.
To man he said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom. To depart from evil is understanding.’” — Job 28:28 · WEB
Men can dig anything out of the earth except the one thing they need, and the poem ends by relocating wisdom in a way of living.
The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. — Proverbs 9:10 · WEB
Both women stand in the same place and say the same sentence to the same man, and the only difference is what is on the table.
The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. All those who do his work have a good understanding. His praise endures forever! — Psalm 111:10 · WEB
An alphabetical psalm about God's works, ending on the line that opens the wisdom books.
Give your servant therefore an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this great people of yours?” — 1 Kings 3:9 · WEB
Offered anything he asks, the new king asks for the one thing his office actually requires — and is given it, plus what he did not ask for.
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. — James 3:17 · WEB
The list describing real wisdom is almost entirely about how a person is with other people, and one item is ranked ahead of the rest.
Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. — Proverbs 3:5 · WEB
The best-known verses in the book are a warning against a particular kind of competence, and they end with discipline redefined as evidence of love.
For Yahweh gives wisdom. Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. — Proverbs 2:6 · WEB
The chapter is one long sentence built on a condition, and the effort it demands is answered by a gift that was never for sale.
Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding. — Proverbs 4:7 · WEB
A father passes on what his own father told him, and the chapter ends by working outward from the heart through the mouth, eyes and feet.
because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. — 1 Corinthians 1:25 · WEB
The cross divides the world into two audiences, and it offends Jew and Greek in exactly the ways each was most sure of.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He has taken the wise in their craftiness.” — 1 Corinthians 3:19 · WEB
The chapter ends by inverting the whole quarrel — the parties were dividing up teachers who had already been given to all of them.
in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden. — Colossians 2:3 · WEB
Paul struggles for people who have never seen his face — and locates in Christ everything the teachers said lay beyond him.
Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out! — Romans 11:33 · WEB
The argument ends in doxology rather than resolution, two unanswerable questions guard the mystery, and all things run from him to him.
For wisdom is a defense, even as money is a defense; but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it. — Ecclesiastes 7:12 · WEB
The crooked thing that could not be straightened in chapter 1 is here said to have been made crooked, and the alternation of good days and bad is given a purpose.
Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established. — Proverbs 15:22 · WEB
The run is about listening, and the last verse says that humility comes before honor rather than being rewarded with it.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. — Luke 2:52 · WEB
The only story from his childhood: a boy of twelve is lost for three days and found asking questions.