Wisdom

For leaning about wisdom and instruction, for understanding words of insight, for gaining instruction in wise dealing, righteousness, justice, and equity; to teach shrewdness to the simple, knowledge and prudence to the young – let the wise also hear and gain in learning, and the discerning acquire skill, to understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles.

Proverbs 1:2-6

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:7

“…but those who listen to me will be secure and will live at ease, without dread of disaster.”

Proverbs 1:33

My child, if you accept my words and treasure up my commandments within you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; if you indeed cry out for insight, and raise your voice for understanding; if you seek it like silver, and search for it as for hidden measures – then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk blamelessly, guarding the paths of justice and preserving the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; prudence will watch over you; and understanding will guard you.

Proverbs 2:1-11

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be a healing for your flesh and a refreshment for your body.

Proverbs 3:5-8

My child, do not despise the LORD’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the LORD reproves the one he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

Proverbs 3:11-12

Happy are those who find wisdom and those who get understanding, for her income is better than silver, and her revenue better than gold.

Proverbs 3:13-14

The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew. My child, do not let these escape from your sight: keep sound wisdom and prudence, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. Then you will walk on your way securely and your foot will not stumble. If you sit down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden panic, or of the storm that strikes the wicked; for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.

Proverbs 3:19-26

Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever else you get, get insight. Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her.

Proverbs 4:5-8

My child, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

Proverbs 4:20-23

I, wisdom, live with prudence, and I attain knowledge and discretion. The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. I have good advice and sound wisdom; I have insight, I have strength.

Proverbs 8:12-14

The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked. A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

Proverbs 10:3-4

When pride comes, then comes disgrace; but wisdom is with the humble. The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.

Proverbs 11:2-3

Where there is no guidance, a nation falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

Proverbs 11:14

Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to advice. Fools show their anger at once, but the prudent ignore an insult. Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness speaks deceitfully.

Proverbs 12:15-17

The hand of the diligent will rule, while the lazy will be put to forced labor.

Proverbs 12:24

By insolence the heedless make strife, but wisdom is with those who take advice. Wealth hastily gotten will dwindle, but those who gather little by little will increase it.

Proverbs 13:10-11

Wisdom is at home in the mind of one who has understanding, but it is not known in the heart of fools.

Proverbs 14:33

The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the minds of fools. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is his delight. The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves the one who pursues righteousness. There is severe discipline for one who forsakes the way, but one who hates a rebuke will die.

Proverbs 15:7-10

The mind of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

Proverbs 15:14

The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the body. The ear that heeds wholesome admonition will lodge among the wise.

Proverbs 15:29-31

The plans of the mind belong to mortals, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

Proverbs 16:1

Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.

Proverbs 16:3

The human mind plans the way, but the LORD directs the steps.

Proverbs 16:9

How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

Proverbs 16:16

The mind of the wise makes their speech judicious, and adds persuasiveness to their lips

Proverbs 16:23

Sometimes there is a way that seems to be right, but in the end it is the way to death.

Proverbs 16:25

Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who are glad at calamity will not go unpunished.

Proverbs 17:5-6

One who forgives an affront fosters friendship, but one who dwells on disputes will alienate a friend.

Proverbs 17:9

A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 17:22

Even fools who keep silent are considered wise; when they close their lips, they are deemed intelligent.

Proverbs 17:28

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing personal opinion.

Proverbs 18:2

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.

Proverbs 18:10

Before destruction one’s heart is haughty, but humility goes before honor.

Proverbs 18:12

Those with good sense are slow to anger, and it is their glory to overlook an offense.

Proverbs 19:11

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and will be repaid in full.

Proverbs 19:17

The lazy person does not plow in season; harvest comes, and there is nothing to be found.

Proverbs 20:4

All our steps are ordered by the LORD; how then can we understand our own ways?

Proverbs 20:24

The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to want.

Proverbs 21:5

The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life.

Proverbs 22:4

The words of the wise: Incline your ear and hear my words, and apply your mind to my teaching; for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.

Proverbs 22:17-18

Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, who will only despise the wisdom of your words.

Proverbs 23:9

My child, if your heart is wise, my heart too will be glad. My soul will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.

Proverbs 23:15-16

Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, you will find a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

Proverbs 24:14

Prepare your work outside, get everything ready for you in the field; and after that build your house.

Proverbs 24:27

Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is trust in a faithless person in time of trouble.

Proverbs 25:19

Well meant are the wounds a friend inflicts, but profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

Proverbs 27:6

Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens the wits of another.

Proverbs 27:17

Anyone who tills the land will have plenty of bread, but one who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.

Proverbs 28:19

Those who trust in their own wits are fools; but those who walk in wisdom come through safely.

Proverbs 28:26

A person’s pride will bring humiliation, but one who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.

Proverbs 29:23

There are those who are pure in their own eyes yet are not cleansed of their filthiness. There are those – how lofty are their eyes, how high their eyelids lift!

Proverbs 30:12-13

Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Proverbs 31:8-9