Bible verses about wisdom
Some of the best Bible verses about wisdom are James 1:5, which invites anyone who lacks it to ask God, Proverbs 9:10, which names respect for the Lord as where wisdom starts, and Proverbs 4:7, which says to get it first. Most of them come from Proverbs. All ten are below.
Free to read, no account. Last updated November 9, 2026. Scripture: King James Version and World English Bible (public domain).
1.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.
In the World English Bible
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
An open invitation. If you lack wisdom, ask God, and James says he gives freely and doesn't scold you for asking.
2.Proverbs 4:7
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
In the World English Bible
Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.
A father tells his son that wisdom comes first. Get it, and get understanding along with it, whatever else it costs.
3.Proverbs 2:3-6
Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
In the World English Bible
yes, if you call out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding; if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom. Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.
Wisdom is pictured as treasure you dig for. The passage says to call out for it and search, and names the Lord as the source.
4.Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
In the World English Bible
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Often read as the starting line. Respect for the Lord is where wisdom begins, and knowing the Holy One is understanding.
5.Proverbs 13:20
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
In the World English Bible
One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
Your friends rub off on you. Walk with the wise and you pick up wisdom, hang with fools and trouble follows.
6.Proverbs 19:20
Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
In the World English Bible
Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end.
Listen to advice and take correction. The point is to be wise by the time you're old.
7.Proverbs 11:14
Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
In the World English Bible
Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls, but in the multitude of counselors there is victory.
Without wise guidance a nation falls, and many advisers bring safety. Handy before a big decision.
8.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.
In the World English Bible
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
James describes what wisdom from above looks like: pure, peaceful, gentle, willing to listen, full of mercy. It works as a checklist.
9.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.
In the World English Bible
Happy is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gets understanding. For her good profit is better than getting silver, and her return is better than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her.
Finding wisdom is called better than silver or gold, and worth more than rubies. Nothing you want compares.
10.Proverbs 17:28
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
In the World English Bible
Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
A dry one: even a fool who keeps quiet can pass for wise. Sometimes the wise move is saying less.
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Read today's verseQuestions
What is a good Bible verse about wisdom?
James 1:5 is a good place to start. An open invitation. If you lack wisdom, ask God, and James says he gives freely and doesn't scold you for asking.
How do I ask God for wisdom?
James 1:5 is the verse most people point to. It says anyone who lacks wisdom can ask God, and that he gives freely without scolding. Proverbs 2:3-6 adds that wisdom is something to seek out, like hidden treasure. Plenty of readers pair asking with reading Proverbs and talking to people they trust.
Who wrote the book of Proverbs?
Much of it is credited to Solomon, and 1 Kings 4:32 says he spoke three thousand proverbs. Other sections name Agur and King Lemuel, and Proverbs 25:1 says men of Hezekiah copied out a group of Solomon's sayings. It reads like a collection built up over time.
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Made by Lamplight, a small Sarvixo product. Notes on each verse are ours, written with AI tools and checked against the passage. The verses are printed exactly as published.