Bible Verses

Topical Study

Bible Verses About Wisdom

Bible verses on wisdom — knowing God, knowing yourself, choosing well.

39 verses · curated by hand

From the wider Bible

More verses about wisdom in Scripture

226 passages mentioning “wisdom” across WEB & KJV — beyond the curated set above.

Page 5 of 12

  1. Proverbs 4:7

    “Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.”

  2. Proverbs 4:11

    “I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths.”

  3. Proverbs 5:1

    “My son, pay attention to my wisdom. Turn your ear to my understanding:”

  4. Proverbs 7:4

    “Tell wisdom, “You are my sister.” Call understanding your relative,”

  5. Proverbs 8:1

    “Doesn’t wisdom cry out? Doesn’t understanding raise her voice?”

  6. Proverbs 8:5

    “You simple, understand prudence. You fools, be of an understanding heart.”

  7. Proverbs 8:11

    “For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can’t be compared to it.”

  8. Proverbs 8:12

    ““I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion.”

  9. Proverbs 8:14

    “Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power.”

  10. Proverbs 9:1

    “Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars.”

  11. Proverbs 10:13

    “Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has discernment, but a rod is for the back of him who is void of understanding.”

  12. Proverbs 10:21

    “The lips of the righteous feed many, but the foolish die for lack of understanding.”

  13. Proverbs 10:23

    “It is a fool’s pleasure to do wickedness, but wisdom is a man of understanding’s pleasure.”

  14. Proverbs 10:31

    “The mouth of the righteous produces wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.”

  15. Proverbs 11:2

    “When pride comes, then comes shame, but with humility comes wisdom.”

  16. Proverbs 11:12

    “One who despises his neighbor is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding holds his peace.”

  17. Proverbs 12:8

    “A man shall be commended according to his wisdom, but he who has a warped mind shall be despised.”

  18. Proverbs 13:10

    “Pride only breeds quarrels, but with ones who take advice is wisdom.”

  19. Proverbs 14:6

    “A scoffer seeks wisdom, and doesn’t find it, but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person.”

  20. Proverbs 14:8

    “The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way, but the folly of fools is deceit.”

Frequently asked

Questions about wisdom in the Bible

What does the Bible say about wisdom?
The Bible frames wisdom as a relationship before it is an attainment. Proverbs 9:10 says, "the fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom; the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." James 1:5 invites anyone who lacks wisdom to "ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach." Wisdom in Scripture is not raw intelligence — it is the art of choosing well over a lifetime, with God as the source of judgement.
Where in the Bible is wisdom most clearly described?
Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are the two wisdom books most often read for this. Proverbs 1-9 is a long extended invitation to choose wisdom over folly. Ecclesiastes wrestles with what wisdom can and can't deliver in a fallen world. James in the New Testament restates the Hebrew tradition: "the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits" (James 3:17). Read across the three books over a season, not in a single sitting.
How do I gain wisdom according to the Bible?
Four moves the Bible repeatedly commends. Ask for it (James 1:5). Listen to it — Proverbs 19:20: "Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end." Walk with the wise — Proverbs 13:20: "One who walks with wise men grows wise." Apply it — Matthew 7:24 says the wise person is the one who "hears these words of mine, and does them." Wisdom is not just information held; it is information lived.