35 Bible Verses about Prudence

A fool uttereth his wrath in all the haste, but a discreet man forgiveth wrong.

The wisdom of him that hath understanding is to take heed unto his way; but the foolishness of the unwise deceiveth.

A wise heart laboureth for knowledge; and a prudent ear seeketh understanding.

A wise man doth all things with discretion; but a fool will declare his folly.

A wise man seeth the plague and hideth himself; but the foolish go on still and are punished.

Jesus answered, and said unto them, "I also will ask of you a certain question, which, if ye assoil me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John: whence was it? From heaven, or of men?" Then they reasoned among themselves, saying, "If we shall say from heaven; he will say unto us, 'Why did ye not then believe him?' But and if we shall say of men; then fear we the people. For all men held John as a prophet." read more.
And they answered Jesus, and said, "We cannot tell." And he likewise said unto them, "Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

Behold, my servant shall deal wisely, therefore shall he be magnified, exalted and greatly honored.

Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel, how they might tangle him in his words. And they sent unto him their disciples with Herod's servants, saying, "Master, we know that thou art true, and that thou teachest the way of God truly, neither carest for any man, for thou considerest not men's estate. Tell us, therefore, how thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?" read more.
Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, "Why tempt ye me ye hypocrites? Let me see the tribute money." And they took him a penny. And he said unto them, "Whose is this image and superscription?" They said unto him, "Caesar's." Then said he unto them, "Give therefore to Caesar, that which is Caesar's: and give unto God, that which is God's."

And as they came down from the hill, he charged them, that they should tell no man what they had seen, till the son of man were risen from death again.

And he commanded them that they should tell no man. But the more he forbade them, so much the more a great deal they published it.

Then he charged his disciples, that they should tell no man that he was Jesus Christ.

And their eyes were opened. And Jesus charged them, saying, "See that no man know of it."

And he straightly charged them that they should not utter him.

"Behold, I send you forth as sheep among wolves: Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and innocent as doves.

Walk wisely to them that are without, and redeem the time.

Take heed therefore that ye walk circumspectly - not as fools, but as wise -

I gat me up in the night season, and a few men with me: for I told no man what God had given me in my heart to do at Jerusalem. And there was not one beast with me, save it that I rode upon. And I rode by night unto the valley port before the Dragon well, and to the Dung port, and considered the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down, and the ports thereof consumed with the fire. And I went over unto the well port, and to the king's conduit; and there was no room for my beast, that it could go under me. read more.
Then went I on in the night by the brook side, and considered the wall, and turned back and came home again to the valley port. And the rulers knew not whither I went or what I did: for hitherto had I not told the Jews and the priests, the councilors and the rulers, and the others that laboured in the work.

then set I the people after their kindreds with their swords, spears, and bows beneath, in the low places behind the wall; and looked, and gat me up, and said unto the chief men and rulers, and to the other people, "Be not ye afraid of them, but think rather upon the great LORD, which ought to be feared; and fight for your brethren, sons, daughters, wives, and houses." Nevertheless, when our enemies heard that we had gotten word of it, God brought their counsel to nought, and we turned all again to the wall, every one unto his labour. read more.
And from that time forth it came to pass, that the half part of the young men did the labour, and the other half part held spears, shields, bows, and breastplates: and the rulers stood behind all the house of Judah, which builded on the wall, and bare burdens from those that laded them. With one hand did they the work, and with the other held they their weapon. And everyone that builded, had his sword gird by his side, and so builded they. And the trumpeters stood beside me.

Then gathered the high priests and the Pharisees a council and said, "What do we? This man doeth many miracles. If we let him escape thus, all men will believe on him. And the Romans shall come and take away our country and the people." And one of them named Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year, said unto them, "Ye perceive nothing at all: read more.
nor yet consider that it is expedient for us, that one man die for the people, and not that all the people perish." This spake he not of himself: but being high priest that same year, prophesied he that Jesus should die for the people, and not for the people only: but that he should gather together in one the children of God which were scattered abroad. From that day forth they held a counsel together for to put him to death. Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews: but went his way thence unto a country nigh to a wilderness into a city called Ephraim, and there haunted with his disciples.

Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. When Jesus knew that, he departed thence. And much people followed him, and he healed them all; and charged them, that they should not make him known:

And Jesus avoided with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude followed him from Galilee and from Jewry,

therefore will I also show unto this people a marvelous, terrible, and great thing - Namely this: I will destroy the wisdom of their wise, and the understanding of their learned men shall perish."

For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and will cast away the understanding of the prudent."

A wise man putteth off displeasure, and it is his honour to let some faults pass.

A fool uttereth his wrath in all the haste, but a discreet man forgiveth wrong.

She considereth land, and buyeth it; with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of grace.

He that hath understanding can hide his wisdom; but an indiscreet heart telleth out his foolishness.

A wise man doth all things with discretion; but a fool will declare his folly.

A fool despiseth his father's correction; but he that taketh heed when he is reproved, shall have the more understanding.

A wise heart laboureth for knowledge; and a prudent ear seeketh understanding.

And they wept all abundantly, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him: sorrowing, most of all, for the words, which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

And as we tarried there a good many days, there came a certain prophet from Jewry, named Agabus. When he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his hands and feet and said, "Thus saith the holy ghost, 'So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the gentiles.'" When we heard this, both we and others of the same place, besought him, that he would not go up to Jerusalem. read more.
Then Paul answered, and said, "What do ye weeping, and breaking mine heart? I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." When we could not turn his mind, we ceased, saying, "The will of the Lord be fulfilled."

And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, and know not what shall come on me there, but that the holy ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and trouble abide me. But none of those things move me. Neither is my life dear unto myself; that I might fulfill my course with joy, and the ministration which I have received of the Lord Jesus to testify the gospel of the grace of God. read more.
And now behold, I am sure that henceforth ye all, through whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

The foolish took their lamps, but took none oil with them.

But the wise answered, saying, 'Not so, lest there be not enough for us and you, but go rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.'

Woe be unto them that seek so deep, to hide their imagination before the LORD, which rehearse their counsels in the darkness, and say, "Who seeth us, or who knoweth us?"

Woe be unto them that are wise in their own sight, and think themselves to have understanding.

Whoso hath a wise understanding is called to counsel; but he that can speak fair, getteth more riches.

A fool despiseth his father's correction; but he that taketh heed when he is reproved, shall have the more understanding.

I gat me up in the night season, and a few men with me: for I told no man what God had given me in my heart to do at Jerusalem. And there was not one beast with me, save it that I rode upon. And I rode by night unto the valley port before the Dragon well, and to the Dung port, and considered the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down, and the ports thereof consumed with the fire. And I went over unto the well port, and to the king's conduit; and there was no room for my beast, that it could go under me. read more.
Then went I on in the night by the brook side, and considered the wall, and turned back and came home again to the valley port. And the rulers knew not whither I went or what I did: for hitherto had I not told the Jews and the priests, the councilors and the rulers, and the others that laboured in the work.

then set I the people after their kindreds with their swords, spears, and bows beneath, in the low places behind the wall; and looked, and gat me up, and said unto the chief men and rulers, and to the other people, "Be not ye afraid of them, but think rather upon the great LORD, which ought to be feared; and fight for your brethren, sons, daughters, wives, and houses." Nevertheless, when our enemies heard that we had gotten word of it, God brought their counsel to nought, and we turned all again to the wall, every one unto his labour. read more.
And from that time forth it came to pass, that the half part of the young men did the labour, and the other half part held spears, shields, bows, and breastplates: and the rulers stood behind all the house of Judah, which builded on the wall, and bare burdens from those that laded them. With one hand did they the work, and with the other held they their weapon. And everyone that builded, had his sword gird by his side, and so builded they. And the trumpeters stood beside me. And I said unto the principal men, and rulers, and to the other people, "The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another. Look in what place now ye hear the noise of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us. Our God shall fight for us, and we will be laboring in the work." And the half part of them held the spears from the morning spring, till the stars came forth. And at the same time said I unto the people, "Every one abide with his servant at Jerusalem, that in the night season we may give attendance to the watch, and to labour on the daytime." As for me and my brethren, and my servants, and the men of the watch behind me, we put never off our clothes, so much as to wash ourselves.

And in the city there was found a poor man - but he was wise - which with his wisdom delivered the city: yet was there no body, that had any respect for such a simple man.

And Hiram said moreover, "Blessed be the LORD God of Israel which hath made both heaven and earth, that he hath given David the king a wise son that hath discretion and understanding, to build a house for the LORD, and another for his kingdom.

Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews: but went his way thence unto a country nigh to a wilderness into a city called Ephraim, and there haunted with his disciples.

While ye have light, believe on the light that ye may be the children of light." These things spake Jesus, and departed, and hid himself from them.

But hear my voice, and I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee. Be thou unto the people to Godward, and bring the causes unto God, and provide them ordinances and laws, and show them the way wherein they must walk and the works that they must do. Moreover, seek out, among all the people, men of activity which fear God; and men that are true and hate covetousness: and make them heads over the people, captains over thousands, over hundreds, over fifty, and over ten. read more.
And let them judge the people at all seasons: If there be any great matter, let them bring that unto thee, and let them judge all small causes them selves, and ease thyself, and let them bear with thee. If thou shalt do this thing, then thou shalt be able to endure that which God chargeth thee with all, and all this people shall go to their places quietly."

Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother, unto the land of Seir and the field of Edom. And he commanded them, saying, "See that ye speak after this manner to my LORD Esau, 'thy servant, Jacob, sayeth thus: I have sojourned and been a stranger with Laban unto this time; and have gotten oxen, asses and sheep, menservants and womenservants, and have sent to show it my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.'" read more.
And the messengers came again to Jacob, saying, "We came unto thy brother Esau, and he cometh against thee; and four hundred men with him." Then was Jacob greatly afraid, and wist not which way to turn himself, and divided the people that was with him and the sheep, oxen and camels, into two companies, and said, "If Esau come to the one part and smite it, the other may save itself." And Jacob said, "O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac: LORD, which saidest unto me, 'return unto thy country and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee.' I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and truth which thou hast showed unto thy servant. For with my staff came I over this Jordan, and now have I gotten two droves. Deliver me from the hands of my brother Esau, for I fear him: lest he will come and smite the mother with the children. Thou saidest that thou wouldest surely do me good, and wouldest make my seed as the sand of the sea which can not be numbered for multitude." And he tarried there that same night, and took of that which came to hand, a present, unto Esau his brother: Two hundred she goats and twenty he goats: two hundred sheep and twenty rams: thirty milch camels with their colts: forty cows and ten bulls: twenty she asses and ten foals and delivered them unto his servants, every drove by themselves, and said unto them, "Go forth before me, and put a space betwixt every drove." And he commanded the foremost, saying, "When Esau my brother meeteth thee and asketh thee, saying, 'whose servant art thou and whither goest thou, and whose are these that go before thee?' thou shalt say, 'they be thy servant Jacob's, and are a present sent unto my lord Esau, and behold, he himself cometh after us.'" And so commanded he the second, and even so the third, and likewise all that followed the droves, saying, "Of this manner see that ye speak unto Esau when ye meet him, and say moreover. 'Behold thy servant Jacob cometh after us.'" For he said, "I will appease his wrath with the present that goeth before me, and afterward I will see him myself, so peradventure he will receive me to grace." So went the present before him, and he tarried all that night in the tent, and rose up the same night and took his two wives and his two maidens and his eleven sons, and went over the ford Jabbok. And he took them and sent them over the river, and sent over that he had,

He that hath understanding can hide his wisdom; but an indiscreet heart telleth out his foolishness.

An ignorant body believeth all things; but whoso hath understanding, looketh well to his goings.

The ignorant have foolishness in possession; but the wise are crowned with knowledge.

A wise man doth all things with discretion; but a fool will declare his folly.

A wise heart laboureth for knowledge; and a prudent ear seeketh understanding.

Then answered one of his servants and said, "Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that can play upon instruments, and is an active fellow and a man of war and prudent and well made, and the LORD is with him."

Whoso hath a wise understanding is called to counsel; but he that can speak fair, getteth more riches.

An ignorant body believeth all things; but whoso hath understanding, looketh well to his goings.

At that time, Jesus answered and said, "I praise thee, O father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast opened them unto babes,

"Upon the Edomites hath the LORD of Hosts spoken on this manner: Is there no wisdom in Tema? Is there no more good counsel among his people? Is their wisdom then turned clean to naught?

The wisdom of him that hath understanding is to take heed unto his way; but the foolishness of the unwise deceiveth.

A wise man seeth the plague and hideth himself; but the foolish go on still and are punished.

then shall counsel preserve thee, and understanding shall keep thee.

A fool despiseth his father's correction; but he that taketh heed when he is reproved, shall have the more understanding.

And the scribe said unto him, "Well master, thou hast said the truth, that there is one God, and that there is none but he. And to love him with all the heart, and with all the mind, and with all the soul, and with all the strength. And to love a man's neighbor as himself, is a greater thing than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, "Thou art not far from the kingdom of God." And no man after that durst ask him any question.

Wherefore Pharaoh said unto Joseph, "Forasmuch as God hath showed thee all this, there is no man of understanding nor of wisdom like unto thee.

"I, wisdom, have my dwelling with knowledge, and prudent counsel is mine own.

which grace he shed on us abundantly in all wisdom, and prudence.

"I, wisdom, have my dwelling with knowledge, and prudent counsel is mine own.

My son, let not these things depart from thine eyes, but keep my law and my counsel:

A wise man seeth the plague and hideth himself; but the foolish go on still and are punished.

And when they came unto the coasts of Jordan that lie in the land of Canaan: there the children of Ruben, the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh, built an altar fast by Jordan, and that a great altar to see to. And when the children of Israel heard say, "Behold the children of Reuben, the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh have built an altar in the forefront of the land of Canaan in the borders of Jordan on the side of the children of Israel": the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered them together to Shiloh, to go upon them with battle. read more.
And the children of Israel sent unto the children of Ruben, to the children of Gad and unto the half tribe of Manasseh into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and with him ten lords of every chief house a lord throughout all the tribes of Israel, which heads of their fathers' households were over the thousands of Israel. And they went unto the children of Reuben, of Gad and to the half tribe of Manasseh, unto the land of Gilead and spake with them, saying, "Thus say the whole congregation of the LORD: 'What transgression is this that ye have transgressed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from after the LORD and to build you an altar for to rebel this day against the LORD? Is the wicked deed of Peor too little for us, whereof we are not cleansed unto this day, and there was a plague in the congregation of the LORD? But that ye also should turn away this day from following the LORD: ye shall rebel today against the LORD, and tomorrow he shall be wroth with all the congregation. Notwithstanding, if the land of your possession be unclean, then come over unto the land of the possession of the LORD, where the LORD's tabernacle dwelleth, and be possessed among us. But rebel not against the LORD nor against us, to build you any other altar save the altar of the LORD our God. Did not Achan the son of Zerah trespass in the excommunicate things, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel, so that he alone perished not for his wickedness?'" Then the children of Reuben and of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh answered, and said unto the heads over the thousands of Israel, "The mighty God Jehovah, he knoweth, and Israel shall know if; it be to rebel or transgress against the LORD, then the LORD save us not this day. Or else if we have built us an altar to turn from following the LORD, or to offer thereon burnt offering or meat offerings, or to offer peace offerings thereon: let the LORD require it. And have not rather done it for fear of this: lest in time to come your children should say unto ours, 'What have ye to do with the LORD God of Israel?' Saying, 'That the LORD hath made Jordan a border between us and you, ye children of Ruben and of Gad: ye have no part therefore in the LORD.' And so shall your children make our children cease from fearing the LORD. And therefore we said, 'Let us cause an altar to be made, not for burnt offerings, nor sacrifices, but it shall be a witness between us and you and our generations after us, that we should serve the LORD, with our offerings, sacrifices and peace offerings: and that your children should not say to ours in time to come: ye have no part in the LORD.' And we thought if they should so say to us, or to our generations in time to come, that we would say again, 'Behold the fashion of the altar which our fathers made, neither for burnt offerings nor sacrifices, but that it should be a witness between us and you.' God forbid that we should rebel against the LORD and that we should turn this day from after him, and build an altar for burnt offerings nor sacrifices, save the altar of the LORD our God that is before his tabernacle." And when Phinehas the priest and the lords of the congregation and heads over the thousands of Israel, which were with him, heard the words that the children of Reuben, the children of Gad and the children of Manasseh spake, they were well content. And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said unto the children of Ruben, of Gad and of Manasseh, "This day we perceive that the LORD is among us, because ye have not done this trespass against the LORD. Now have ye delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD." And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest and the lords returned from the children of Reuben and of Gad out of the land of Gilead unto the land of Canaan, to the children of Israel, and brought them word again. And the answer pleased the children of Israel well, and they praised God, and did not intend to go against them in battle, to destroy the land which the children of Ruben and Gad dwelt in. And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar Ed, because it is a witness between us, that the LORD is God.

Unto whom David said, "If thou go with me thou shalt be a burden unto me. And if thou return to the city: then shalt thou say unto Absalom, 'I will be thy servant O king: thus long have I been thy father's servant, and now I am thine,' and destroy me the counsel of Ahithophel. And thou hast there with thee, Zadok and Abiathar the priests, unto which thou shalt show all that thou canst hear out of the king's house. read more.
And behold, ye have there with you their two sons: Ahimaaz Zadok's son, and Jonathan Abiathar's son, by which ye shall send me all that ye can hear." And so Hushai, David's friend, gat him to the city. And Absalom also entered into Jerusalem.

Then Abigail made haste and took two hundred loaves and two bottles of wine and five sheep ready dressed and five measures of parched corn, and a hundred bundles of raisins and two hundred frails of figs, and laded them on asses, and said unto her young men, "Go before me, and see I come after you," and told her husband Nabal nothing thereof. And as she rode on her ass and was coming down in a slade of the hill, David and his men came down against her, and she met them. read more.
And David said, "In vain have I kept all that this fellow had in the wilderness: so that nought was missed that pertained unto him, for he hath quite me with evil for good. God do this and yet more unto the enemies of David, if until tomorrow in the morning I leave this man, of all that he hath, so much as one that pisseth against the wall." When Abigail saw David, she hasted and lighted off her ass and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and fell at his feet and said, "Let this unhappy deed be counted mine, my lord, and let thine handmaid speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thy handmaid. Let not my lord regard this unthrifty man Nabal, for as his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name and folly is with him. But I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord which thou sendest. And now my lord as sure as the LORD liveth and as thy soul liveth, the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood and from avenging thyself with thine own hand. Furthermore, I pray God that thine enemies and they that intend to do my lord evil, may be as Nabal. And now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought, let it be given unto the young men that follow my lord. Forgive the trespass of thine handmaid that the LORD may make my lord a sure house, because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and there could none evil be found in thee in all thy life. And if any man rise to persecute thee and to seek thy soul, the soul of my lord be bound in a bundle of life with the LORD thy God. And the souls of thy enemies be slung in the middle of a sling. And moreover when the LORD shall have done to my lord all the good that he hath promised thee, and shall have made thee ruler over Israel: then shall it be no grudge of conscience unto thee or discourage of heart unto my lord, that thou sheddest blood causeless and didst avenge thyself. And moreover when the LORD shall have dealt well with my lord, then think on thine handmaid."

And they said unto him, "If thou shalt be a servant unto this people this day and serve them and answer them and speak kind words to them: they will be thy servants forever."

The Elders also of the land stood up, and said thus unto all the people, "Micah the Morasthite, which was a prophet under Hezekiah king of Judah, spake to all the people of Judah, 'Thus sayeth the LORD of Hosts: Zion shall be plowed like a field, Jerusalem shall be a heap of stones, and the hill of the LORD's house shall be turned to a high wood.' Did Hezekiah king of Judah and the people of Judah put him to death for this? No verily, but rather feared the LORD, and made their prayer unto him. For the which cause also the LORD repented of the plague, that he had devised against them. Should we then do such a shameful deed against our souls?" read more.
There was a prophet also, that preached stiffly in the name of the LORD, called Uriah the son of Shemaiah of Kiriathjearim: this man preached also against this city and against this land, according to all as Jeremiah sayeth. Now when Jehoiakim the king with all the estate and princes had heard his words, the king went about to slay him. When Uriah perceived that, he was afraid, and fled, and departed into Egypt. Then Jehoiakim the king sent servants in to the land of Egypt; Namely, Elnathan the son of Achbor, and certain men with him into Egypt. Which fetched Uriah out of Egypt, and brought him unto king Jehoiakim that slew him with the sword, and cast his dead body into the common people's grave.

Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a doctor of law, had in authority among all the people and bade to put the apostles aside a little space, and said unto them, "Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. Before these days rose up one Theudas boasting himself, to whom resorted a number of men, about a four hundred, which was slain, and they all which believed him were scattered abroad, and brought to nought. read more.
After this man arose there up one Judas of Galilee, in the time when tribute began, and drew away much people after him. He also perished: and all, even as many as harkened to him, are scattered abroad. And now I say unto you: refrain yourselves from these men, let them alone: For if the counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: but and if it be of God, ye cannot destroy it, lest haply ye be found to strive against God."

And the men of Ephraim said unto him, "Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledest us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites?" And they chode with him a good. And he said unto them, "What deed have I done like unto yours: are not the clusters of Ephraim better than the wine harvest of Abiezer? God hath delivered into your hands the lords of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb. And what was I able to do like as you have done?" And then their spirits abated from off him, when he had said that.

And all the city was on a roar, and they rushed into the common hall with one assent, and caught Gaius, and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions. When Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. Certain also of the chief of Asia which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not press into the common hall. read more.
Some cried one thing, and some another and the congregation was all out of quiet, and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. Some of the company drew forth Alexander, the Jews thrusting him forwards. Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have given the people an answer. When they knew that he was a Jew, there arose a shout almost for the space of two hours of all men crying, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians." When the town clerk had ceased the people he said, "Ye men of Ephesus: what man is it that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which came from heaven? Seeing then that no man saith here against, ye ought to be content, and to do nothing rashly; For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet despisers of your goddess. Wherefore if Demetrius and the craftsmen which are with him, have any saying to any man: the law is open, and there are rulers. Let them accuse one another. If ye go about any other thing, it may be determined in a lawful congregation. For we are in jeopardy to be accused of this day's business: forasmuch as there is no cause whereby we may give a reckoning of this concourse of people." And when he had thus spoken, he let the congregation depart.

And the king arose in the night and said to his servants, "I will show you, how the Syrians have served us. They know that we are oppressed with hunger, and therefore are gone out of their pavilions to hide themselves in the field, saying, 'They will come out of the city, and then we shall catch them alive and get into the city.' And one of his servants answered and said, 'Let men take five of the horses that remain and are left in the city. Behold, they are as good as all the multitude that are left in the city: and as good as all the multitude of the city that are consumed, and let us send and see."

And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely. And when Saul had set him over his men of war, he pleased all the people, and Saul's servants thereto. And it happened as they went, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that women came out of all cities of Israel singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with timbrels, with joy, and with fiddles. And the women that played sang thereto, and said, "Saul hath slain his thousand, and David his ten thousand." read more.
Then was Saul exceeding wroth and that saying displeased him, and he said, "They have ascribed unto David ten thousand, and to me but a thousand. And what more can he have, save the kingdom?" Wherefore Saul looked sourly upon David from that day forward. And it happened on the morrow, that the evil spirit sent of God came upon Saul, so that he prophesied in the midst of the house. And David played on the instrument with his hand as he was daily wont. And Saul had a spear in his hand, and hurled it; intending to have nailed David to the wall. But David avoided out of his presence two times. For Saul was afraid of David: because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul. And then Saul put David from him and made him a captain over a thousand, and he went out and in before the people. And David was wise in all that he took in hand, and the LORD was with him. Wherefore, when Saul saw that he was so exceeding wise, he was afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and in before them. Then said Saul to David, "Behold, my eldest daughter Merab: her I will give thee to wife; only play the man and fight the LORD's battles." For Saul thought, "Mine hand shall not be upon him, but the hand of the Philistines." And David answered Saul, "What am I? And what is my life or the kindred of my father in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?" Howbeit, when the time was come that Merab, Saul's daughter, should have been given to David she was given unto Adriel, a Meholathite, to wife. Nevertheless, Michal Saul's daughter loved David. And when it was showed Saul, the thing pleased him well. And he said, "I will give him her that she may be a snare to him, to bring the hand of the Philistines upon him." And Saul said to David, "Thou shalt this day be my son-in-law again." And Saul commanded his servants to commune with David secretly and say, "Behold, the king hath a favour to thee, and all his servants love thee - be therefore the king's son-in-law." And Saul's servants spake those words in the ears of David. But David answered, "Seemeth it to you a light thing to be the king's son-in-law, when I am a poor man and of small reputation?" And Saul's servants told him again, saying, "Of this manner answered David." Then said Saul, "This wise say to David: 'The king careth for no other dowry but for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies." For Saul thought to make David fall into the hands of the Philistines. Then his servants told David these words, and it pleased David well to be the king's son-in-law. And shortly after that, David arose with his men, and went, and slew of the Philistines, two hundred men; and brought their foreskins, and satisfied the king thereof to be his son-in-law. And so Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife. And when Saul saw and understood, how that the LORD was with David, and that Michal his daughter loved him, he was the more afraid of David, and became David's enemy forever. And when the Philistines went out to war, David behaved himself wiselier than all the servants of Saul: so that his name was much set by.

Now therefore, let Pharaoh provide for a man of understanding and wisdom, and set him over the land of Egypt. And let Pharaoh make officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years and let them gather all the food of these good years that come, and lay up corn under the power of Pharaoh: that there may be food in the cities, read more.
and there let them keep it: that there may be food in store in the land, against the seven years of hunger which shall come in the land of Egypt, and that the land perish not through hunger." And the saying pleased Pharaoh and all his servants. Then said Pharaoh unto his servants, "Where shall we find such a man as this is, that hath the spirit of God in him?" Wherefore Pharaoh said unto Joseph, "Forasmuch as God hath showed thee all this, there is no man of understanding nor of wisdom like unto thee. Thou therefore shalt be over my house, and according to thy word shall all my people obey: only in the king's seat will I be above thee." And he said unto Joseph, "Behold, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt." And he took off his ring from his finger, and put it upon Joseph's finger, and he arrayed him in raiment of byss, and put a golden chain about his neck, and set him upon the best chariot that he had, save one. And they cried before him "Abrech!" And that Pharaoh had made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, "I am Pharaoh; without thy will, shall no man lift up either his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt." And he called Joseph's name Zaphenath-Paneah. And he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On. Then went Joseph abroad in the land of Egypt. And he was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. And then Joseph departed from Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. And in the seven plenteous years they made sheaves, and gathered up all the food of the seven plenteous years which were in the land of Egypt and put it into the cities. And he put the food of the fields that grew round about every city, even in the same. And Joseph laid up corn in store, like unto the sand of the sea in multitude out of measure, until he left numbering: For it was without number. And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of hunger came, which Asenath the daughter of Poti-Pherah, priest of On, bare unto him. And he called the name of the first son Manasseh, "For God," said he, "hath made me forget all my labour and all my father's household." The second called he Ephraim, "For God," said he, "hath caused me to grow in the land of my trouble." And when the seven years of plenteousness that was in the land of Egypt were ended, then came the seven years of dearth, according as Joseph had said. And the dearth was in all lands: but in the land of Egypt was there yet food. When now all the land of Egypt began to hunger, then cried the people to Pharaoh for bread. And Pharaoh said unto all Egypt, "Go unto Joseph, and what he saith to you, that do." And when the dearth was throughout all the land, Joseph opened all that was in the cities, and sold unto the Egyptians. And hunger waxed sore in the land of Egypt. And all countries came to Egypt, to Joseph, for to buy corn: because that the hunger was so sore in all lands.

And his father-in-law said unto him, "It is not well that thou doest. Thou doest unwisely and also this people that is with thee: because the thing is too grievous for thee, and thou art not able to do it thyself alone. But hear my voice, and I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee. Be thou unto the people to Godward, and bring the causes unto God, read more.
and provide them ordinances and laws, and show them the way wherein they must walk and the works that they must do. Moreover, seek out, among all the people, men of activity which fear God; and men that are true and hate covetousness: and make them heads over the people, captains over thousands, over hundreds, over fifty, and over ten. And let them judge the people at all seasons: If there be any great matter, let them bring that unto thee, and let them judge all small causes them selves, and ease thyself, and let them bear with thee. If thou shalt do this thing, then thou shalt be able to endure that which God chargeth thee with all, and all this people shall go to their places quietly."

And the brethren immediately sent away Paul, and Silas by night unto Berea. Which, when they were come thither, they entered into the Synagogue of the Jews. These were the noblest of birth among them of Thessalonica, which received the word with all diligence of mind, and searched the scriptures daily whether those things were even so. And many of them believed, also of worshipful women which were Greeks; and of men, not a few. read more.
When the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came there and moved the people: and then, by and by, the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea. But Silas and Timothy abode there still. And they that guided Paul brought him unto Athens, and received a commandment unto Silas and Timothy for to come to him at once. And came their way.

And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, "Thou seest brother, how many thousand Jews there are which believe, and they are all zealous over the law. And they are informed of thee that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the gentiles to forsake Moses, and sayest that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to live after the customs. What is it therefore? The multitude must needs come together. For they shall hear that thou art come. read more.
Do therefore this that we say to thee. We have four men, which have a vow on them. Them take and purify thyself with them, and do cost on them, that they may shave their heads and all shall know that those things which they have heard concerning thee are nothing: but that thou thyself also walkest and keepest the law. For as touching the gentiles which believe: we have written, and concluded, that they observe no such things - but that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from strangled, and from fornication." Then the next day, Paul took the men and purified himself with them, and entered into the temple, declaring that he observed the days of the purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.

Woe be unto them that are wise in their own sight, and think themselves to have understanding.

A good man is merciful, and lendeth gladly, and pondereth his words with discretion.

Who is wise to understand these things and hath wit to perceive them? For the ways of the LORD are straight, and the righteous shall walk in them: but the wicked shall tumble in them.

And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "Ye have troubled me, and made me stink unto the inhabiters of the land, both to the Canaanites and also unto the Perizzites. And I am few in number. Wherefore they shall gather themselves together against me and slay me, and so shall I and my house be destroyed."

And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dina, his daughter, but his sons were with the cattle in the field: and therefore he held his peace, until they were come.

When he saw that, he arose and went for his life, and came to Beersheba in Judah, and left his lad there. And he went a day's journey into the wilderness, and when he was come sat down under a Juniper tree, and desired for his soul, that he might die, and said, "It is now enough, O LORD, take my soul; for I am not better than my fathers."

Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother, unto the land of Seir and the field of Edom. And he commanded them, saying, "See that ye speak after this manner to my LORD Esau, 'thy servant, Jacob, sayeth thus: I have sojourned and been a stranger with Laban unto this time; and have gotten oxen, asses and sheep, menservants and womenservants, and have sent to show it my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.'" read more.
And the messengers came again to Jacob, saying, "We came unto thy brother Esau, and he cometh against thee; and four hundred men with him." Then was Jacob greatly afraid, and wist not which way to turn himself, and divided the people that was with him and the sheep, oxen and camels, into two companies, and said, "If Esau come to the one part and smite it, the other may save itself." And Jacob said, "O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac: LORD, which saidest unto me, 'return unto thy country and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee.' I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and truth which thou hast showed unto thy servant. For with my staff came I over this Jordan, and now have I gotten two droves. Deliver me from the hands of my brother Esau, for I fear him: lest he will come and smite the mother with the children. Thou saidest that thou wouldest surely do me good, and wouldest make my seed as the sand of the sea which can not be numbered for multitude." And he tarried there that same night, and took of that which came to hand, a present, unto Esau his brother: Two hundred she goats and twenty he goats: two hundred sheep and twenty rams: thirty milch camels with their colts: forty cows and ten bulls: twenty she asses and ten foals and delivered them unto his servants, every drove by themselves, and said unto them, "Go forth before me, and put a space betwixt every drove." And he commanded the foremost, saying, "When Esau my brother meeteth thee and asketh thee, saying, 'whose servant art thou and whither goest thou, and whose are these that go before thee?' thou shalt say, 'they be thy servant Jacob's, and are a present sent unto my lord Esau, and behold, he himself cometh after us.'" And so commanded he the second, and even so the third, and likewise all that followed the droves, saying, "Of this manner see that ye speak unto Esau when ye meet him, and say moreover. 'Behold thy servant Jacob cometh after us.'" For he said, "I will appease his wrath with the present that goeth before me, and afterward I will see him myself, so peradventure he will receive me to grace." So went the present before him, and he tarried all that night in the tent,

Who is wise to understand these things and hath wit to perceive them? For the ways of the LORD are straight, and the righteous shall walk in them: but the wicked shall tumble in them.

Therefore the wise must now be fain to hold his tongue, so wicked a time is it.

But Saul said, "There shall no man die this day, for today the LORD hath saved Israel."

named Barjesus: which was with the ruler of the country, one Sergius Paulus, a prudent man. The same ruler called unto him Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.

But Daniel was at a point with himself, that he would not be defiled through the king's meat, nor the wine which he drunk. And this he desired of the chief chamberlain, lest he should defile himself. So God gave Daniel favour and grace before the chief chamberlain, that he said unto him, "I am afraid of my lord the king, which hath appointed you your meat and drink: lest he spy your faces to be worse liking than the other springaldes of your age, and so ye shall make me lose my head unto the king." read more.
Then Daniel answered Melzar, whom the chief chamberlain had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, and said, "O prove but ten days with thy servants, and let us have pottage to eat, and water to drink: Then look upon our faces, and theirs that eat of the king's meat. And as thou seest, so deal with thy servants." So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.

When Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. Of hope, and of resurrection from death I am judged."

Therefore the wise must now be fain to hold his tongue, so wicked a time is it.

And he beckoned unto them with the hand to hold their peace, and told them by what means the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, "Go show these things unto James and to the brethren." And he departed and went into another place.

And they said unto him, "If thou shalt be a servant unto this people this day and serve them and answer them and speak kind words to them: they will be thy servants forever."

But as soon as his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast: not openly, but as it were privily.

For this we eschew, that any man should rebuke us in this plenteous distribution that is ministered by us,

Then Joseph her husband, being a perfect man, and loath to make an example of her, was minded to put her away secretly.

they were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about,

The same, Paul would that he should go forth with him, and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters, for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

When Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. Of hope, and of resurrection from death I am judged."