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Random Bible Verse About Wisdom

Draw a random Bible verse about wisdom, understanding, and good judgment, with a short note explaining its setting.

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Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.

Genesis 41:33 KJV

What the Bible means by wisdom

Biblical wisdom is less about being clever and more about living skillfully. Proverbs treats it as a craft learned over time: knowing when to speak and when to wait, how to handle money, how to treat a neighbor, and how to take correction. Ecclesiastes and Job add honest doubts, showing that wisdom must reckon with unfairness and limits.

Where the wisdom books point

Many of these verses begin with reverence for God. In Scripture, wisdom is not only a personal talent but a response to a world that God made, and the writers say it can be asked for in prayer. The New Testament places Christ at its center and keeps the same practical edge, as James shows with his concern for gentle, peaceable behavior.

Putting a verse to work

Ask what situation the verse would have addressed in its own time.
Pick one concrete habit it suggests, such as listening first.
Compare it with a nearby proverb that seems to say the opposite, since many proverbs balance each other.
Ask a trusted friend how they would apply it.

Wisdom also has a communal side. Proverbs often speaks of counselors, friends, parents, and teachers, assuming that no one grows wise alone. Humility, meaning the willingness to be corrected, appears again and again as the first sign of a wise person. Reading through several proverbs in a row can feel like a list of rules, but they are closer to observations from long experience. Some are blunt, and some are playful. Treat them as invitations to think rather than formulas that always work the same way.

To keep exploring, use the Bible verse randomizer, read a random encouraging Bible verse, or check the Bible verse of the day.

Verses in This Collection

Genesis 41:33 – Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.
Joseph advises Pharaoh to appoint a discerning, wise man to manage Egypt's grain through coming famine.
Exodus 18:21 – Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
Jethro counsels Moses to choose capable, honest people to share the work of judging.
Deuteronomy 4:6 – Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.
Moses says that keeping God's laws will show Israel's wisdom to the surrounding nations.
1 Kings 3:9 – Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
Newly crowned Solomon asks for an understanding heart to govern and to tell good from evil.
1 Kings 3:24-27 – And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king. And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other. Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it . Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof.
Solomon settles a dispute between two mothers by watching who reacts with true compassion.
1 Kings 4:29-30 – And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.
The narrator reports that God gave Solomon wisdom and breadth of understanding beyond the neighboring sages.
Job 12:12 – With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.
Job notes that wisdom is said to belong to the aged, then questions how far that holds.
Job 28:12-13 – But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.
Job asks where wisdom is found, and says its worth cannot be measured by any human price.
Job 28:28 – And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
The poem on wisdom ends with reverence for the Lord as wisdom and turning from evil as understanding.
Psalm 19:7 – The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
The psalmist calls God's law perfect and trustworthy, making the simple wise.
Psalm 25:12 – What man is he that feareth the LORD ? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
Whoever fears the Lord is promised instruction in the way to choose.
Psalm 37:30 – The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.
The mouth of the righteous is said to speak wisdom and justice.
Psalm 90:12 – So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Moses prays to be taught to count his days so that he gains a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 111:10 – 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.
Reverence for the Lord is called the start of wisdom, and those who practice it gain good understanding.
Psalm 119:97-99 – O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
Meditating on God's commands is said to make the writer wiser than enemies and teachers.
Psalm 119:105 – Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
God's word is pictured as a lamp for the feet and a light for the path.
Proverbs 1:5 – A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
The wise listen and grow in learning, and the discerning gain guidance.
Proverbs 1:7 – The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
The book's motto links reverence for God with knowledge, while fools despise instruction.
Proverbs 2:6 – For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
Wisdom is described as a gift, with knowledge and understanding coming from God's mouth.
Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
A well-known call to trust God with the whole heart rather than lean on personal understanding.
Proverbs 3:13-15 – Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
Finding wisdom is called more profitable than silver and more precious than jewels.
Proverbs 4:7 – Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
Wisdom is called the principal thing, so the father urges getting it and gaining understanding with all one gets.
Proverbs 8:11 – For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
Lady Wisdom herself says she is better than rubies and that nothing desired compares with her.
Proverbs 9:10 – The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Revering the Lord is repeated as wisdom's starting point, and knowing the Holy One as understanding.
Proverbs 10:19 – In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
Many words invite wrongdoing, while holding back one's lips is called prudent.
Proverbs 11:2 – When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
Pride is followed by disgrace, but humility is paired with wisdom.
Proverbs 11:14 – Where no counsel is , the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Where there is no guidance a people falls, but with many advisers there is safety.
Proverbs 12:15 – The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
A fool is sure his own way is right, but a wise person listens to advice.
Proverbs 13:20 – He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
Whoever walks with the wise grows wise, while a companion of fools suffers harm.
Proverbs 14:15 – The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
The naive believe everything, but the prudent consider where they are going.
Proverbs 14:29 – He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
A person slow to anger shows great understanding, while a quick temper displays folly.
Proverbs 15:1 – A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, while a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:22 – Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
A proverb on planning: ventures without wise counsel tend to fail, while many advisers help them succeed.
Proverbs 16:16 – How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
Getting wisdom is called better than gold, and understanding is better than silver.
Proverbs 16:32 – He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
Self-control is praised above military might, and ruling one's spirit above taking a city.
Proverbs 17:27 – He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
A person of knowledge uses words sparingly, and an even temper marks understanding.
Proverbs 18:13 – He that answereth a matter before he heareth it , it is folly and shame unto him.
Answering before you have listened is called folly and shame, a warning to hear people out first.
Proverbs 19:20 – Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
Listen to advice and accept discipline, the proverb says, so you will be wise in the end.
Proverbs 20:5 – Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
Purposes in the heart are like deep water, and a person of understanding draws them out.
Proverbs 21:5 – The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
Diligent planning leads to profit, while haste leads only to poverty.
Proverbs 22:6 – Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
A general principle about training a child in the right way, which the writer says tends to stick for life.
Proverbs 24:3-4 – Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
A household is built by wisdom and established by understanding, filling its rooms with treasure.
Proverbs 25:11 – A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
A fitting word is compared to golden apples in a silver setting.
Proverbs 26:12 – Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
The writer says there is more hope for a fool than for someone who is wise in his own eyes.
Proverbs 27:17 – Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
Iron sharpens iron, and a friend sharpens a friend through honest company.
Proverbs 28:26 – He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
Trusting only your own mind is called foolish, while walking in wisdom leads to safety.
Proverbs 29:11 – A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
A fool gives full vent to his mind, but the wise person holds back until later.
Proverbs 31:26 – She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
The capable woman of the closing poem speaks with wisdom, and kindly instruction is on her tongue.
Ecclesiastes 2:13-14 – Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness. The wise man’s eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.
The Teacher sees that wisdom beats folly like light beats darkness, yet notes that one fate awaits both.
Ecclesiastes 7:12 – 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.
Wisdom is said to shelter like money does, but it also preserves the life of its owner.
Ecclesiastes 9:17 – The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.
The quiet words of the wise are said to be heard better than a ruler's shouting among fools.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 – Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
The book closes by summing up life as reverence for God and keeping his commands.
Isaiah 11:2 – And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD ;
The promised ruler is described as one on whom the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, and counsel rests.
Isaiah 28:29 – This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.
Closing a farming comparison, Isaiah says the Lord of hosts is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working.
Isaiah 55:8-9 – For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD . For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
God says his thoughts and ways are higher than ours, as the heavens are higher than earth.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 – Thus saith the LORD , Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD .
Wise people are told not to boast in wisdom, but in knowing the Lord who acts with love and justice.
Daniel 1:17 – As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
God gives Daniel and his three friends learning and skill, and Daniel understands visions and dreams.
Daniel 2:20-21 – Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: 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:
Daniel praises God for wisdom and might, who changes times and seasons and gives wisdom to the wise.
Daniel 12:3 – And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
Those who are wise are said to shine like the brightness of the sky.
Micah 6:8 – He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
The prophet sums up what God asks as acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly.
Proverbs 9:9 – Give instruction to a wise man , and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man , and he will increase in learning.
A wise man will grow wiser from instruction, and a just man will increase in learning, a proverb about teachability.
Matthew 7:24-25 – Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
Jesus likens hearing and doing his words to building a house on rock that stands through storms.
Matthew 10:16 – Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Jesus sends his followers out as sheep among wolves and tells them to be shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves.
Matthew 11:25 – At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
Jesus thanks the Father for hiding certain truths from the learned and showing them to little children.
Matthew 25:1-4 – Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
In the parable of ten virgins, the wise ones bring extra oil and the foolish ones do not.
Luke 2:52 – And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Jesus is described growing in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and people.
Luke 14:28-30 – For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it ? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it , all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
Jesus asks who would build a tower without first counting the cost, urging forethought.
Luke 16:8 – And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
Jesus remarks on a dishonest manager's shrewdness, challenging his followers to be as careful about lasting things.
Acts 6:3 – Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
The apostles ask the church to choose seven men known for the Spirit and wisdom to oversee food distribution.
Romans 11:33 – O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
Paul bursts out in praise at the depth of God's riches, wisdom, and knowledge.
Romans 12:2 – And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Paul urges believers not to follow the pattern of the age but to be transformed by a renewed mind.
Romans 16:19 – For your obedience is come abroad unto all men . I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
Paul wants the Roman believers to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil.
1 Corinthians 1:25 – Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Paul argues that God's apparent foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and his weakness stronger than strength.
1 Corinthians 3:18-19 – Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
Anyone who thinks he is wise by this age's standards is told to become a fool so as to become wise.
1 Corinthians 13:11 – When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
Paul says that when he became an adult he set aside childish ways of thinking.
Ephesians 5:15-16 – See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Paul asks believers to walk carefully, as wise people who make the most of their time.
Philippians 1:9-10 – And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
Paul prays that love will grow in knowledge and insight so believers can discern what is best.
Colossians 2:2-3 – 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; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Paul wants believers united in love and understanding, since all the treasures of wisdom are in Christ.
Colossians 3:16 – 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.
The message of Christ is to dwell richly among believers as they teach and sing together.
Colossians 4:5-6 – Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Paul advises wisdom toward outsiders and speech that is gracious and seasoned with salt.
2 Timothy 3:14-15 – But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them ; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Paul reminds Timothy that from childhood he has known Scriptures that give wisdom for salvation.
James 1:5 – 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.
Anyone lacking wisdom is told to ask God, who gives generously and without scolding.
James 3:13 – 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.
James says that wisdom shows itself in a good life and in deeds done with humble gentleness.
James 3:17 – 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.
The wisdom from above is described as pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, and full of mercy.
1 Peter 3:15 – But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Believers are to be ready to explain their hope, doing so with gentleness and respect.
2 Peter 3:18 – But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Peter closes his letter urging readers to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus.

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