Bible Verses About Wisdom

28 verses in the King James Version (KJV) and the Berean Standard Bible (BSB)

Wisdom is the ability to see life clearly and choose well, and the Bible says it is available to anyone who asks. Much of what's collected here comes from Proverbs, a book of practical sayings about speech, relationships, and choices, along with the book of James. These verses are especially helpful before a big decision or when you feel out of your depth. They remind us that real wisdom starts with humility and is generous with those who seek it.

James 1:5

KJV

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.
BSB

Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
Proverbs 2:6

KJV

For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
BSB

For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 1:7

KJV

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
BSB

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Proverbs 9:10

KJV

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
BSB

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Proverbs 3:13

KJV

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
BSB

Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding,
Proverbs 3:14

KJV

For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
BSB

for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold.
Proverbs 4:7

KJV

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
BSB

Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.
Proverbs 16:16

KJV

How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
BSB

How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.
Proverbs 19:20

KJV

Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
BSB

Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.
Proverbs 12:15

KJV

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
BSB

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.
Proverbs 13:20

KJV

He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
BSB

He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.
Proverbs 11:2

KJV

When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
BSB

When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 18:15

KJV

The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
BSB

The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.
Proverbs 24:14

KJV

So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.
BSB

Know therefore that wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, there is a future for you, and your hope will never be cut off.
James 3:17

KJV

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.
BSB

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
James 3:13

KJV

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.
BSB

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
Psalm 90:12

KJV

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
BSB

So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 111:10

KJV

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.
BSB

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts gain rich understanding. His praise endures forever!
Ecclesiastes 7:12

KJV

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.
BSB

For wisdom, like money, is a shelter, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner.
Colossians 3:16

KJV

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
BSB

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Colossians 2:2

KJV

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;
BSB

that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ,
Colossians 2:3

KJV

In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
BSB

in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Ephesians 5:15

KJV

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
BSB

Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
Ephesians 5:16

KJV

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
BSB

redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
1 Corinthians 1:25

KJV

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
BSB

For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.
Daniel 2:21

KJV

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:
BSB

He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
Job 12:12

KJV

With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.
BSB

Wisdom is found with the elderly, and understanding comes with long life.
Proverbs 15:33

KJV

The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
BSB

The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

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