100 Bible Verses about Being Wise

Proverbs 29:11 ESV / 63 helpful votes

A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.

Matthew 7:24 ESV / 42 helpful votes

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

James 1:5 ESV / 40 helpful votes

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

James 3:17 ESV / 37 helpful votes

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

Ephesians 5:15 ESV / 33 helpful votes

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,

Proverbs 12:15 ESV / 33 helpful votes

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.

Ecclesiastes 2:14 ESV / 29 helpful votes

The wise person has his eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. And yet I perceived that the same event happens to all of them.

Proverbs 28:26 ESV / 29 helpful votes

Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

Proverbs 1:7 ESV / 28 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 11:2 ESV / 25 helpful votes

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.

James 3:13 ESV / 21 helpful votes

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV / 21 helpful votes

There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

Psalm 19:7 ESV / 21 helpful votes

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;

Colossians 4:5-6 ESV / 20 helpful votes

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Colossians 4:5 ESV / 20 helpful votes

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.

Ephesians 5:15-16 ESV / 19 helpful votes

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Proverbs 13:10 ESV / 19 helpful votes

By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.

Proverbs 3:7 ESV / 19 helpful votes

Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

Proverbs 1:5 ESV / 19 helpful votes

Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,

Proverbs 17:28 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

Proverbs 16:16 ESV / 17 helpful votes

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

Psalm 111:10 ESV / 17 helpful votes

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

1 Peter 3:15 ESV / 15 helpful votes

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

Proverbs 16:9 ESV / 15 helpful votes

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

Proverbs 2:6 ESV / 15 helpful votes

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

Psalm 90:12 ESV / 15 helpful votes

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 14 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

1 Corinthians 3:18 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.

Proverbs 22:17 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge,

Proverbs 15:5 ESV / 14 helpful votes

A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.

Ephesians 5:2 ESV / 13 helpful votes

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

1 Corinthians 1:17 ESV / 13 helpful votes

For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 13 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Matthew 6:33 ESV / 13 helpful votes

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 5:22 ESV / 13 helpful votes

But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

Ecclesiastes 7:10 ESV / 13 helpful votes

Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.

Proverbs 23:24 ESV / 13 helpful votes

The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.

Proverbs 15:2 ESV / 13 helpful votes

The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

Proverbs 13:3 ESV / 13 helpful votes

Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

Proverbs 10:8 ESV / 13 helpful votes

The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.

Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV / 13 helpful votes

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Philippians 2:15 ESV / 12 helpful votes

That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

Romans 13:8 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

Romans 12:16 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.

Matthew 7:2 ESV / 12 helpful votes

For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.

Proverbs 19:8 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Whoever gets sense loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will discover good.

Proverbs 13:11 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

1 Corinthians 3:2 ESV / 11 helpful votes

I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready,

Matthew 6:24 ESV / 11 helpful votes

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Ecclesiastes 10:12 ESV / 11 helpful votes

The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.

Ecclesiastes 10:2 ESV / 11 helpful votes

A wise man's heart inclines him to the right, but a fool's heart to the left.

Ecclesiastes 7:1-10:20 ESV / 11 helpful votes

A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth. It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools. ...

Proverbs 23:15 ESV / 11 helpful votes

My son, if your heart is wise, my heart too will be glad.

Proverbs 23:2 ESV / 11 helpful votes

And put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite.

Proverbs 13:1-20:30 ESV / 11 helpful votes

A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. From the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good, but the desire of the treacherous is for violence. Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. The righteous hates falsehood, but the wicked brings shame and disgrace. ...

Proverbs 12:1-16:33 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of evil devices he condemns. No one is established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will never be moved. An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones. The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. ...

Proverbs 10:1 ESV / 11 helpful votes

The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.

Proverbs 4:7 ESV / 11 helpful votes

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.

Proverbs 1:1-23:35 ESV / 11 helpful votes

The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth— Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, ...

James 3:3 ESV / 10 helpful votes

If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.

1 Timothy 1:17 ESV / 10 helpful votes

To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

2 Thessalonians 2:3 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

Colossians 4:3 ESV / 10 helpful votes

At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—

Colossians 3:20 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

Galatians 6:9 ESV / 10 helpful votes

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

1 Corinthians 1:25 ESV / 10 helpful votes

For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Isaiah 40:28 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.

Proverbs 19:20 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.

Proverbs 18:2 ESV / 10 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 15:22 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.

Proverbs 13:10-12 ESV / 10 helpful votes

By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom. Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it. Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

Proverbs 10:1-11:31 ESV / 10 helpful votes

The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother. Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death. 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. He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame. ...

1 Timothy 6:10 ESV / 9 helpful votes

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

Philippians 4:6-7 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 3:19 ESV / 9 helpful votes

For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,”

Luke 1:37 ESV / 9 helpful votes

For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Proverbs 21:20 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.

Proverbs 17:2 ESV / 9 helpful votes

A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.

Proverbs 15:12 ESV / 9 helpful votes

A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.

Proverbs 14:29 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

Proverbs 12:1 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

Proverbs 10:2 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.

Hebrews 11:1 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Proverbs 22:4 ESV / 8 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 6:6-8 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.

Psalm 90:2 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

James 3:2 ESV / 7 helpful votes

For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.

Acts 28:27 ESV / 7 helpful votes

For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’

Luke 10:27 ESV / 7 helpful votes

And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

Proverbs 23:9 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your words.

Proverbs 23:7 ESV / 7 helpful votes

For he is like one who is inwardly calculating. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.

Proverbs 16:2 ESV / 7 helpful votes

All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.

Proverbs 8:5 ESV / 7 helpful votes

O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense.

Psalm 14:1 ESV / 7 helpful votes

To the choirmaster. Of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.

Revelation 11:1-19 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. ...

James 3:13-18 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. ...

Colossians 2:2-3 ESV / 6 helpful votes

That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV / 6 helpful votes

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

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