7 The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence];

But arrogant*fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline. [Ps 111:10]

10 The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of wisdom [its starting point and its essence],

And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding and spiritual insight.

33 The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the instruction for wisdom [its starting point and its essence];

And before honor comes humility.

10 The [reverent] fear of the Lord is the beginning (the prerequisite, the absolute essential, the alphabet) of wisdom;

A good understanding and a teachable heart are possessed by all those who do the will of the Lord;

His praise endures forever. [Job 28:28; Prov 1:7; Matt 22:37, 38; Rev 14:7]

12 "But where can wisdom be found?

And where is the place of understanding?

13 "Man does not know the value of it;

Nor is it found in the land of the living.

14 "The deep says, ‘It is not in me’;

And the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’

15 "It cannot be obtained for pure gold,

Nor can silver be weighed as its price.

16 "It cannot be valued in [terms of] the gold of Ophir,

In the precious onyx or beryl, or the sapphire.

17 "Gold and glass cannot equal wisdom,

Nor can it be exchanged for articles of fine gold.

18 "No mention of coral and crystal can be made;

For the possession of wisdom is even above [that of] rubies or pearls.

19 "The topaz of Ethiopia cannot compare with it,

Nor can it be valued in pure gold.

20 "From where then does wisdom come?

And where is the place of understanding?

21 "It is hidden from the eyes of all the living

And concealed from the birds of the heavens.

22 "Abaddon (the place of destruction) and Death say,

‘We have [only] heard a report of it with our ears.’

5 If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him.

5 If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him.

5 If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him.

6 For the Lord gives [skillful and godly] wisdom;

From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

6 For the Lord gives [skillful and godly] wisdom;

From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

3 Yes, if you cry out for insight,

And lift up your voice for understanding;

5 Then you will understand the [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome]

And discover the knowledge of God. [Prov 1:7]

23 "I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers,

For You have given me wisdom and power;

Even now You have made known to me what we requested of You,

For You have made known to us [the solution to] the king’s matter."

20 Daniel answered,

"Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,

For wisdom and power belong to Him.

17 As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all kinds of literature and wisdom; Daniel also understood all kinds of visions and dreams. [Luke 21:15; James 1:5-7]

17 But the wisdom from above is first pure [morally and spiritually undefiled], then peace-loving [courteous, considerate], gentle, reasonable [and willing to listen], full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without [self-righteous] hypocrisy [and self-serving guile].

17 But the wisdom from above is first pure [morally and spiritually undefiled], then peace-loving [courteous, considerate], gentle, reasonable [and willing to listen], full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without [self-righteous] hypocrisy [and self-serving guile].

17 But the wisdom from above is first pure [morally and spiritually undefiled], then peace-loving [courteous, considerate], gentle, reasonable [and willing to listen], full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without [self-righteous] hypocrisy [and self-serving guile].

13 Who among you is wise and intelligent? Let him by his good conduct show his [good] deeds with the gentleness and humility of true wisdom.

6 Yet we do speak wisdom among those spiritually mature [believers who have teachable hearts and a greater understanding]; but [it is a higher] wisdom not [the wisdom] of this present age nor of the rulers and leaders of this age, who are passing away; 7 but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the wisdom once hidden [from man, but now revealed to us by God, that wisdom] which God predestined before the ages to our glory [to lift us into the glory of His presence].

23 but we preach Christ crucified, [a message which is] to Jews a stumbling block [that provokes their opposition], and to Gentiles foolishness [just utter nonsense], 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks (Gentiles), Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. [Rom 8:28] 25 [This is] because the foolishness of God [is not foolishness at all and] is wiser than men [far beyond human comprehension], and the weakness of God is stronger than men [far beyond the limits of human effort].

18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool [discarding his worldly pretensions and acknowledging his lack of wisdom], so that he may become [truly] wise. [Is 5:21]

18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool [discarding his worldly pretensions and acknowledging his lack of wisdom], so that he may become [truly] wise. [Is 5:21]

2 [For my hope is] that their hearts may be encouraged as they are knit together in [unselfish] *love, so that they may have all the riches that come from the full assurance of understanding [the joy of salvation], resulting in a true [and more intimate] knowledge of the *mystery of God, that is, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge [regarding the word and purposes of God].

5 Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart

And do not rely on your own insight or understanding.

6 *In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him,

And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;

Fear the Lord [with reverent awe and obedience] and turn [entirely] away from evil. [Prov 8:13]

8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;

I will counsel you [who are willing to learn] with My eye upon you.

9 He leads the humble in justice,

And He teaches the humble His way.

4 Let me know Your ways, O Lord;

Teach me Your paths.

5 Guide me in Your truth and teach me,

For You are the God of my salvation;

For You [and only You] I wait [expectantly] all the day long.

23 The steps of a [good and righteous] man are directed and established by the Lord,

And He delights in his way [and blesses his path].

8 Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning,

For I trust in You.

Teach me the way in which I should walk,

For I lift up my soul to You.

10 Teach me to do Your will [so that I may please You],

For You are my God;

Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

11 Save my life, O Lord, for Your name’s sake;

In Your righteousness bring my life out of trouble.

11 Teach me Your way, O Lord,

And lead me on a level path

Because of my enemies [who lie in wait].

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet

And a light to my path. [Prov 6:23]

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet

And a light to my path. [Prov 6:23]

18 Open my eyes [to spiritual truth] so that I may behold

Wonderful things from Your law.

130 The unfolding of Your [glorious] words give light;

Their unfolding gives understanding to the simple (childlike).

1 *Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked [following their advice and example],

Nor stand in the path of sinners,

Nor sit [down to rest] in the seat of *scoffers (ridiculers).

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And on His law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually] meditates day and night. [Rom 13:8-10; Gal 3:1-29; 2 Tim 3:16]

16 Let the [spoken] word of Christ have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind—permeating every aspect of your being] as you teach [spiritual things] and admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

22 When you walk about, they (the godly teachings of your parents) will guide you;

When you sleep, they will keep watch over you;

And when you awake, they will talk to you.

15 Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people], 16 *making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil.

15 Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people], 16 *making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil.

20 Listen to counsel, receive instruction, and accept correction,

That you may be wise in the time to come.

20 Listen to counsel, receive instruction, and accept correction,

That you may be wise in the time to come.

8 He who gains wisdom and good sense loves (preserves) his own soul;

He who keeps understanding will find good and prosper.

18 Plans are established by counsel;

So make war [only] with wise guidance.

6 For by wise guidance you can wage your war,

And in an abundance of [wise] counselors there is victory and safety.

29 He who is slow to anger has great understanding [and profits from his self-control],

But he who is quick-tempered exposes and exalts his foolishness [for all to see]. [Prov 16:32; James 1:19]

10 Through pride and presumption come nothing but strife,

But [skillful and godly] wisdom is with those who welcome [well-advised] counsel.

3 The one who guards his mouth [thinking before he speaks] protects his life;

The one who opens his lips wide [and chatters without thinking] comes to ruin.

15 The way of the [arrogant] fool [who rejects God’s wisdom] is right in his own eyes,

But a wise and prudent man is he who listens to counsel. [Prov 3:7; 9:9; 21:2]

2 When pride comes [boiling up with an arrogant attitude of self-importance], then come dishonor and shame,

But with the humble [the teachable who have been chiseled by trial and who have learned to walk humbly with God] there is wisdom and soundness of mind.

8 The wise in heart [are willing to learn so they] will accept and obey commands (instruction),

But the babbling fool [who is arrogant and thinks himself wise] will come to ruin.

15 The mind of the prudent [always] acquires knowledge,

And the ear of the wise [always] seeks knowledge.

2 A [closed-minded] fool does not delight in understanding,

But only in revealing his personal opinions [unwittingly displaying his self-indulgence and his stupidity].

28 Even a [callous, arrogant] fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise;

When he closes his lips he is regarded as sensible (prudent, discreet) and a man of understanding.

5 The wise will hear and increase their learning,

And the person of understanding will acquire wise counsel and the skill [to steer his course wisely and lead others to the truth], [Prov 9:9]

5 Conduct yourself with wisdom in your interactions with outsiders (non-believers), make the most of each opportunity [treating it as something precious]. 6 Let your speech at all times be gracious and pleasant, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer each one [who questions you].

5 Conduct yourself with wisdom in your interactions with outsiders (non-believers), make the most of each opportunity [treating it as something precious]. 6 Let your speech at all times be gracious and pleasant, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer each one [who questions you].

23 Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve.

13 Happy [blessed, considered fortunate, to be admired] is the man who finds [skillful and godly] wisdom,

And the man who gains understanding and insight [learning from God’s word and life’s experiences],

35 "For whoever finds me (Wisdom) finds life

And obtains favor and grace from the Lord.

16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!

And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver. [Prov 8:10, 19]

9 A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life],

But the Lord directs his steps and establishes them. [Ps 37:23; Prov 20:24; Jer 10:23]

1 The plans and reflections of the heart belong to man,

But the [wise] answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

12 For wisdom is a protection even as money is a protection,

But the [excellent] advantage of knowledge is that wisdom shields and preserves the lives of its possessors.

10 Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these?"

For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.

26 For to the person who pleases Him God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting so that he may give to one who pleases God. This too is vanity and chasing after the wind.

10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) where you are going.

9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are My ways higher than your ways

And My thoughts higher than your thoughts.

8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

Nor are your ways My ways," declares the Lord.

28 Do you not know? Have you not heard?

The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth

Does not become tired or grow weary;

There is no searching of His understanding.

28 Do you not know? Have you not heard?

The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth

Does not become tired or grow weary;

There is no searching of His understanding.

4 The Lord God has given Me [His *Servant] the tongue of disciples [as One who is taught],

That I may know how to sustain the weary with a word.

He awakens Me morning by morning,

He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple [as One who is taught].

1 Woe (judgment is coming) to those who go down to Egypt for help,

Who rely on horses

And trust in chariots because they are many,

And in horsemen because they are very strong,

But they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek and consult the Lord!

2 Yet He is also wise and will bring disaster,

And does not retract His words,

But will arise against the house of evildoers

And against the helpers of those who do evil.

29 This also comes from the Lord of hosts,

Who has made His counsel wonderful and His wisdom great.

2 And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him—

The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,

The Spirit of counsel and strength,

The Spirit of knowledge and of the [reverential and obedient] fear of the Lord—

3 And He will delight in the fear of the Lord,

And He will not judge by what His eyes see,

Nor make decisions by what His ears hear;

11 "And the Lord will continually guide you,

And satisfy your soul in scorched and dry places,

And give strength to your bones;

And you will be like a watered garden,

And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.

33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and decisions and how unfathomable and untraceable are His ways!

27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forevermore! Amen.

28 And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.

24 O Lord, how many and varied are Your works!

In wisdom You have made them all;

The earth is full of Your riches and Your creatures.

5 Great is our [majestic and mighty] Lord and abundant in strength;

His understanding is inexhaustible [infinite, boundless].

24 You will guide me with Your counsel,

And afterward receive me to honor and glory.

12 So teach us to number our days,

That we may cultivate and bring to You a heart of wisdom.

30 The mouth of the righteous proclaims wisdom,

And his tongue speaks justice and truth.

4 Delight yourself in the Lord,

And He will give you the desires and petitions of your heart.

8 O Lord, lead me in Your righteousness because of my enemies;

Make Your way straight (direct, right) before me.

11 You will show me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

In Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore. [Acts 2:25-28, 31]

9 "They will come with weeping [in repentance and for joy],

And by [their] prayer [for the future] I will lead them;

I will make them walk by streams of waters,

On a straight path in which they will not stumble,

For I am a Father to Israel,

And Ephraim (Israel) is My firstborn."

23 O Lord, I know that the path of [life of] a man is not in himself;

It is not within [the limited ability of] man [even one at his best] to choose and direct his steps [in life]. [Ps 37:23; Prov 20:24]

12 God made the earth by His power;

He established the world by His wisdom

And by His understanding and skill He has stretched out the heavens.

1 Do not boast about tomorrow,

For you do not know what a day may bring. [Luke 12:19, 20; James 4:13]

5 Evil men do not understand justice,

But they who long for and seek the Lord understand it fully. [John 7:17; 1 Cor 2:15; 1 John 2:20, 27]

20 Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.

1 This is the third time that I am visiting you. Every fact shall be sustainedandconfirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses. [Deut 19:15]

5 and you have *forgotten the divine word of encouragement which is addressed to you as sons,

"My son, do not make light of the discipline of the Lord,

And do not lose heartandgive up when you are corrected by Him;

6 For the Lord disciplinesandcorrects those whom He loves,

And He punishes every son whom He receivesandwelcomes [to His heart]." [Prov 3:11, 12]

8 Finally, *believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].

34 "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

42 The Queen of the South (Sheba) will stand up [as a witness] at the judgment against this generation, and will condemn it because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon; and now, something greater than Solomon is here. [1 Kin 10:1; 2 Chr 9:1]

24 "So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, will be like a wise man [a far-sighted, practical, and sensible man] who built his house on the rock. [Luke 6:47-49]

15 for I will give you [skillful] words and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute.

24 Do not judge by appearance [superficially and arrogantly], but judge fairly and righteously."

19 The Lord by His wisdom has founded the earth;

By His understanding He has established the heavens. [Col 1:16]

12 "With the aged [you say] is wisdom,

And with*long life is understanding.

13 "But [only] with Him are [perfect] wisdom and might;

He [alone] has [true] counsel and understanding.

1 Then Job answered and said,

2 "Yes, I know it is true.

But how can a mortal man be right before God?

3 "If one should want to contend or dispute with Him,

He could not answer Him once in a thousand times.

4 "God is wise in heart and mighty in strength;

Who has [ever] defied or challenged Him and remained unharmed?

8 He has told you, O man, what is good;

And what does the Lord require of you

Except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion),

And to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness]? [Deut 10:12, 13]

6 and he said to the judges, "Be careful what you do, for you do not judge for man, but for the Lord who is with you in the matter of judgment.

14 *Yet you do not know [the least thing] *about what may happen in your life tomorrow. [What is secure in your life?] You are merely a vapor [like a puff of smoke or a wisp of steam from a cooking pot] that is visible for a little while and then vanishes [into thin air].