Bible Verses About Wisdom

Scripture invites us to ask God for wisdom. These verses about wisdom point to the fear of the Lord as its beginning.

“If 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.” — James 1:5 (KJV)

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not. Upbraideth not means the asking is not held against you.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” — Proverbs 9:10 (KJV)

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom — beginning is a starting point, not the whole. The book treats reverence as the entry requirement.

“For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” — Proverbs 2:6 (KJV)

For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. It follows several verses about searching for it as for hid treasure.

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” — Proverbs 4:7 (KJV)

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom, and with all thy getting get understanding. The repetition of getting makes it acquisitive.

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” — James 3:17 (KJV)

The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be intreated — a list you can test a decision against. First pure sets the order.

“In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” — Colossians 2:3 (KJV)

In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge — written against teachers offering secret knowledge. The counter-claim is that the treasure has one location.

“Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” — 1 Corinthians 1:25 (KJV)

The foolishness of God is wiser than men — Paul writing to a city that prized rhetoric and philosophy. The provocation is deliberate.

“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.” — Proverbs 3:13 (KJV)

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. The next verses price it above silver and rubies.

“And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” — Job 28:28 (KJV)

The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding — the conclusion of a chapter asking where wisdom can be found. The answer is behavioural.

“He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” — Proverbs 13:20 (KJV)

He that walketh with wise men shall be wise, but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. Wisdom is described as contagious, in both directions.

“Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:” — Daniel 2:20-21 (KJV)

He giveth wisdom unto the wise, said by Daniel after a dream was revealed to him overnight. The prayer credits the source before he uses the gift.

“Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.” — Proverbs 19:20 (KJV)

Hear counsel and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. Wisdom is framed as a long-term investment.

“Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?” — 1 Kings 3:9 (KJV)

Give thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people — Solomon's request when offered anything. What he did not ask for is listed in the reply.

“Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.” — Proverbs 15:22 (KJV)

Without counsel purposes are disappointed, but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. It makes consultation a condition of a plan working.

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” — Ephesians 5:15-16 (KJV)

Walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time. Circumspectly means looking around — wisdom as attention to context.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” — Proverbs 1:7 (KJV)

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. It is the thesis statement of the whole book.

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Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about wisdom?

The 16 passages gathered on this page are the ones readers turn to most on wisdom: James 1:5, Proverbs 9:10, Proverbs 2:6, Proverbs 4:7, James 3:17, Colossians 2:3, 1 Corinthians 1:25, Proverbs 3:13, Job 28:28, Proverbs 13:20, Daniel 2:20-21, Proverbs 19:20, 1 Kings 3:9, Proverbs 15:22…

What is a good Bible verse about wisdom?

James 1:5 is the passage most often quoted on wisdom, with Proverbs 9:10 and Proverbs 2:6 close behind. Which one helps depends on whether you need reassurance, instruction or simply company.

Where can I read these wisdom verses?

You can read all of these verses about wisdom — and the whole Bible, offline, in your preferred translation — free in the Quiethaven app for iPhone.