Wisdom is more than knowledge. It is the ability to do the right thing at the right time. The Bible says that it begins with God—and that we can ask for it. Here you will find 21 Bible verses about wisdom.
Where wisdom comes from
Wisdom is a gift from God.
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If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all and will not rebuke you for asking, and wisdom will be given to you.
James 1:5DecisionsSchool enrollment
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For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 2:6Solomon's ProverbsSchool enrollment
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The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and to honor the holy is understanding.
Proverbs 9:10ReverenceSolomon's Proverbs
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The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Whoever follows it shows great understanding, and their praise will last forever.
Psalm 111:10Reverence
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Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and began: Blessed be the name of God forever! For wisdom and strength are his. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and appoints kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and understanding to those who understand.
Daniel 2:20-21
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Give your servant a discerning heart, that he may govern your people and discern between good and evil. For who can govern your mighty people?
1 Kings 3:9Ladder
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See, I have done according to your word. See, I have given you a discerning heart and understanding, like no one who has been before you or will come after you.
1 Kings 3:12
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In which are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Colossians 2:3
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But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, we preach Christ, divine power and divine wisdom. For divine foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and divine weakness is stronger than human strength.
1 Corinthians 1:24-25
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The wisdom from above first shows itself as self-controlled, then gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good deeds, impartial, and sincere.
James 3:17
Living wisely
What wisdom means in everyday life.
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Blessed is the person who finds wisdom, and blessed is the person who gains understanding!
Proverbs 3:13Happiness
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For the beginning of wisdom is to love listening to it and to value understanding more than all other goods.
Proverbs 4:7UnderstandingSchool enrollment
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A fool delights in their own ways, but the person who listens to advice is wise.
Proverbs 12:15Listening
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Whoever walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Proverbs 13:20Friendship
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Plans fail without advice, but with many advisers they succeed.
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Listen to advice and accept discipline, so that you may become wise.
Proverbs 19:20Listening
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Teach us to number our days, that we may gain wisdom.
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So be careful how you live, not as fools but as wise, and make the most of every opportunity, because evil days are coming.
Ephesians 5:15-16Time
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Be wise as you deal with those outside, and make the most of every opportunity.
Colossians 4:5Time
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Therefore, whoever listens to my words and puts them into practice, I will compare to a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Matthew 7:24Listening
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See, I am sending you like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
Matthew 10:16
Bible texts: Luther Bible 1912 (public domain), carefully adapted to modern spelling.
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Where does wisdom come from?
King Solomon is given one wish by God. He does not ask for wealth or a long life, but for “a discerning heart, that he may govern your people and discern between good and evil” (1 Kings 3:9). God is so pleased with this that he gives him everything else as well. This story shows: in the Bible, wisdom is a gift that we can ask for. James encourages us: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all and will not rebuke you for asking” (James 1:5).
Wisdom in everyday life
Biblical wisdom is practical. It is shown in how we speak, handle money, choose friends, and make decisions. Proverbs especially emphasize the value of advice: “Plans fail without advice, but with many advisers they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22). James describes wisdom “from above” as “self-controlled, then gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good deeds” (James 3:17). Learn more at The Most Beautiful Proverbs of Solomon, Bible Verses for Decisions, and Bible Verses About Understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Bible verse is about wisdom?
James 1:5, Proverbs 9:10, Proverbs 2:6, and Psalm 90:12 are very well known: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain wisdom.”
How do you get wisdom according to the Bible?
The Bible says: through reverence for God (Proverbs 9:10), by asking (James 1:5), through God's word (Psalm 119:98), and through good advice (Proverbs 15:22).
