Wisdom in the Bible

1When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of Yahweh, she came to prove him with hard questions.

2She came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bore spices, and very much gold, and precious stones; and when she was come to Solomon, she talked with him of all that was in her heart.

3Solomon told her all her questions: there was not anything hidden from the king which he didn`t tell her.

4When the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had built,

5and the food of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their clothing, and his cup bearers, and his ascent by which he went up to the house of Yahweh; there was no more spirit in her.

6She said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in my own land of your acts, and of your wisdom.

7However I didn`t believe the words, until I came, and my eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me; your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame which I heard.

8Happy are your men, happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you, [and] who hear your wisdom.

9Blessed be Yahweh your God, who delighted in you, to set you on the throne of Israel: because Yahweh loved Israel forever, therefore made he you king, to do justice and righteousness.

23So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom.

24All the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.

25They brought every man his tribute, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and clothing, and armor, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year.

13I have also given you that which you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there shall not be any among the kings like you, all your days.

14If you will walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as your father David did walk, then I will lengthen your days.

16Then there came two women who were prostitutes, to the king, and stood before him.

17The one woman said, Oh, my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house.

18It happened the third day after I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also; and we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house.

19This woman`s child died in the night, because she lay on it.

20She arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while your handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom.

21When I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead; but when I had looked at it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, whom I bore.

22The other woman said, No; but the living is my son, and the dead is your son. This said, No; but the dead is your son, and the living is my son. Thus they spoke before the king.

23Then said the king, The one says, This is my son who lives, and your son is the dead: and the other says, No; but your son is the dead, and my son is the living.

24The king said, Get me a sword. They brought a sword before the king.

25The king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.

26Then spoke the woman whose the living child was to the king, for her heart yearned over her son, and she said, Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and in no way kill it. But the other said, It shall be neither mine nor yours; divide it.

27Then the king answered, Give her the living child, and in no way kill it: she is the mother of it.

28All Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do justice.

5In Gibeon Yahweh appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, Ask what I shall give you.

6Solomon said, You have showed to your servant David my father great lovingkindness, according as he walked before you in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with you; and you have kept for him this great lovingkindness, that you have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.

7Now, Yahweh my God, you have made your servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child; I don`t know how to go out or come in.

8Your servant is in the midst of your people which you have chosen, a great people, that can`t be numbered nor counted for multitude.

9Give your servant therefore an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this your great people?

10The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.

11God said to him, Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life, neither have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice;

12behold, I have done according to your word: behold, I have given you a wise and an understanding heart; so that there has been none like you before you, neither after you shall any arise like you.

20Judah and Israel were many as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merry.

21Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the River to the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt: they brought tribute, and served Solomon all the days of his life.

22Solomon`s provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and sixty measures of meal,

23ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and one hundred sheep, besides harts, and gazelles, and roebucks, and fattened fowl.

24For he had dominion over all [the region] on this side the River, from Tiphsah even to Gaza, over all the kings on this side the River: and he had peace on all sides round about him.

25Judah and Israel lived safely, every man under his vine and under his fig-tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.

29God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and very great understanding, even as the sand that is on the sea-shore.

30Solomon`s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east, and all the wisdom of Egypt.

31For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all the nations round about.

32He spoke three thousand proverbs; and his songs were one thousand five.

33He spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon even to the hyssop that springs out of the wall; he spoke also of animals, and of birds, and of creeping things, and of fish.

34There came of all peoples to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom.

7It happened, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed be Yahweh this day, who has given to David a wise son over this great people.

8Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have heard [the message] which you have sent to me: I will do all your desire concerning timber of cedar, and concerning timber of fir.

9My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon to the sea; and I will make them into rafts to go by sea to the place that you shall appoint me, and will cause them to be broken up there, and you shall receive them; and you shall accomplish my desire, in giving food for my household.

10So Hiram gave Solomon timber of cedar and timber of fir according to all his desire.

11Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for food to his household, and twenty measures of pure oil: thus gave Solomon to Hiram year by year.

12Yahweh gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him; and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together.

10Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this your people, that is so great?

11God said to Solomon, Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches, wealth, or honor, nor the life of those who hate you, neither yet have asked long life; but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge my people, over whom I have made you king:

12wisdom and knowledge is granted to you; and I will give you riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had who have been before you; neither shall there any after you have the like.

7In that night did God appear to Solomon, and said to him, Ask what I shall give you.

8Solomon said to God, You have showed great lovingkindness to David my father, and have made me king in his place.

9Now, Yahweh God, let your promise to David my father be established; for you have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.

10Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this your people, that is so great?

11God said to Solomon, Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches, wealth, or honor, nor the life of those who hate you, neither yet have asked long life; but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge my people, over whom I have made you king:

12wisdom and knowledge is granted to you; and I will give you riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had who have been before you; neither shall there any after you have the like.

6King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give you me to return answer to this people?

7They spoke to him, saying, If you be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.

8But he forsook the counsel of the old men which they had given him, and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him.

9He said to them, What counsel give you, that we may return answer to this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke that your father did put on us lighter?

10The young men who had grown up with him spoke to him, saying, Thus shall you tell the people who spoke to you, saying, Your father made our yoke heavy, but make you it lighter to us; thus shall you say to them, My little finger is thicker than my father`s loins.

11Now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I [will chastise you] with scorpions.

7They spoke to him, saying, If you be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.

8But he forsook the counsel of the old men which they had given him, and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him.

22So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.

23All the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.

23All the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.

17Now as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

20In every matter of wisdom and understanding, concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters who were in all his realm.

3Those who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the expanse; and those who turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.

14Then Daniel returned answer with counsel and prudence to Arioch the captain of the king`s guard, who was gone forth to kill the wise men of Babylon;

16Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would appoint him a time, and he would show the king the interpretation.

27Daniel answered before the king, and said, The secret which the king has demanded can neither wise men, enchanters, magicians, nor soothsayers, show to the king;

28but there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has made known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Your dream, and the visions of your head on your bed, are these:

30But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but to the intent that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your heart.

11There is a man in your kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of your father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; and the king Nebuchadnezzar your father, the king, [I say], your father, made him master of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and soothsayers;

12because an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and showing of dark sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.

13I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under the sky. It is a heavy burden that God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.

16I said to myself, "Behold, I have obtained for myself great wisdom above all who were before me in Jerusalem. Yes, my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge."

17I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a chasing after wind.

18For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

10If the ax is blunt, and one doesn`t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.

13Then I saw that wisdom excels folly, as far as light excels darkness.

14The wise man`s eyes are in his head, and the fool walks in darkness -- and yet I perceived that one event happens to them all.

15Then said I in my heart, "As it happens to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise?" Then said I in my heart that this also is vanity.

16For of the wise man, even as of the fool, there is no memory for ever, seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. Indeed, the wise man must die just like the fool!

11Wisdom is as good as an inheritance. Yes, it is more excellent for those who see the sun.

12For wisdom is a defense, even as money is a defense; but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.

1Who is like the wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man`s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.

16Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless the poor man`s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.

17The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the cry of him who rules among fools.

18Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroys much good.

19So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger;

20for the anger of man doesn`t produce the righteousness of God.

5But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given him.

6But let him ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed.

7For let that man not think that he will receive anything from the Lord.

8He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show his deeds done in gentleness of wisdom by his good life.

14But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don`t boast and don`t lie against the truth.

15This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.

16For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.

17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

18Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

1Where do wars and fightings among you come from? Don`t they come from your pleasures that war in your members?

2You lust, and don`t have. You kill, covet, and can`t obtain. You fight and make war. Yet you don`t have, because you don`t ask.

3You ask, and don`t receive, because you ask amiss, so that you may spend it for your pleasures.

2To know wisdom and instruction; To discern the words of understanding;

6For Yahweh gives wisdom. Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.

3Through wisdom a house is built; By understanding it is established;

13Happy is the man who finds wisdom, The man who gets understanding.

5Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don`t forget, neither swerve from the words of my mouth.

7Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.

1Doesn`t wisdom cry out? Doesn`t understanding raise her voice?

11For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can`t be compared to it.

1Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars.

6Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding."

1Blessed is the man who doesn`t walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the way of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers;

2But his delight is in the law of Yahweh; On his law he meditates day and night.

3He shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper.

4The wicked are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.

5Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

6For Yahweh knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked shall perish. Psalm 2

10The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. All those who do his work have a good understanding. His praise endures forever! Psalm 112

97How love I your law! It is my meditation all day.

98Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, For your commandments are always with me.

99I have more understanding than all my teachers, For your testimonies are my meditation.

100I understand more than the aged, Because I have kept your precepts.

101I have kept my feet from every evil way, That I might observe your word.

102I have not turned aside from your ordinances, For you have taught me.

103How sweet are your promises to my taste, More than honey to my mouth!

104Through your precepts, I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. NUN

7The law of Yahweh is perfect, restoring the soul. The testimony of Yahweh is sure, making wise the simple.

8The precepts of Yahweh are right, rejoicing the heart. The commandment of Yahweh is pure, enlightening the eyes.

9The fear of Yahweh is clean, enduring forever. The ordinances of Yahweh are true, and righteous altogether.

10More to be desired are they than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the extract of the honeycomb.

11Moreover by them is your servant warned. In keeping them there is great reward.

1Don`t fret because of evil-doers, Neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness.

2For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither like the green herb.

3Trust in Yahweh, and do good. Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture.

4Also delight yourself in Yahweh, And he will give you the desires of your heart.

5Commit your way to Yahweh. Trust also in him, and he will do this:

6He will make your righteousness go forth as the light, And your justice as the noon day sun.

7Rest in Yahweh, and wait patiently for him. Don`t fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who makes wicked plots happen.

8Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Don`t fret, it leads only to evildoing.

9For evildoers shall be cut off, But those who wait for Yahweh, they shall inherit the land.

10For yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more. Yes, though you look for his place, he isn`t there.

11But the humble shall inherit the land, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

1Surely God is good to Israel, To those who are pure in heart.

2But as for me, my feet were almost gone. My steps had nearly slipped.

3For I was envious of the arrogant, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4For there are no struggles in their death, But their strength is firm.

5They are free from burdens of men, Neither are they plagued like other men.

6Therefore pride is like a chain around their neck. Violence covers them like a garment.

7Their eyes bulge with fat. Their minds pass the limits of conceit.

8They scoff and speak with malice. In arrogance, they threaten oppression.

9They have set their mouth in the heavens. Their tongue walks through the earth.

10Therefore their people return to them, And they drink up waters of abundance.

11They say, "How does God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?"

12Behold, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches.

13Surely in vain I have cleansed my heart, And washed my hands in innocence,

14For all day long have I been plagued, And punished every morning.

15If I had said, "I will speak thus;" Behold, I would have betrayed the generation of your children.

16When I tried to understand this, It was too painful for me;

17Until I entered God`s sanctuary, And considered their latter end.

12So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.