Wisdom in Scripture is not cleverness but the skill of living rightly before God, and it begins with the fear of the Lord. The Bible promises that God gives wisdom liberally to those who ask, without scolding them for needing it. These passages show where wisdom is found, what it costs, and how it bears fruit in an ordinary life.
5 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. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. that getteth...: Heb. that draweth out understanding 14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. the beginning: or, the principal part
1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; 2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; 3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; liftest...: Heb. givest thy voice 4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. sensual: or, natural 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. confusion: Gr. tumult, or, unquietness 17 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. partiality: or, wrangling
5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. 6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. 7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. In whom: or, Wherein
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. a good...: or, good success his commandments: Heb. them
16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
12 For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it. defence: Heb. shadow