31 Bible Verses about Shrewdness

By your mission you will be expos'd like sheep in the midst of wolves: be then as circumspect as serpents, and as inoffensive as doves:

and this unfaithful steward was commended by his master for being so provident. for they who look to this world, manage their affairs with more prudence, than those who have a prospect of a better. I advise you in like manner to lay out your fallacious treasure in acts of charity, that when you die, they may secure to you everlasting habitations.

Jesus said likewise to his disciples, a certain rich man had an information against his steward, for making havock of his estate. upon making him appear, he said to him, what information is this, I hear against thee? give an account of your administration, for you must not be my steward any longer. upon which the steward said in himself, what shall I do, now my master strips me of my employment? dig I cannot: and 'tis shameful to beg: I see it now,read more.
I must do something that will secure me a reception in other families, when I have lost my place in this. so he sent for every one of his master's debtors in private, he ask'd the first, how much do you owe my master? a hundred measures of oil, said he. take your bill, said the steward, sit down there, and write out one immediately for fifty. then he said to another, how much do you owe? a hundred measures of wheat, said he. take your bill, says the steward, and write out one for fourscore.

therefore, whoever heareth these instructions of mine, and puts them in practice, I will compare him to the prudent man, who built his house upon a rock: the rain descended, the floods came, the winds blew, and beat upon that house: but it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock.

I will show you, who that man is like, who comes to me, and practises what I prescribe. he is like a man who in building a house, digg'd deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: an inundation came, the current beat impetuously upon that house, but could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

If then there be a servant, appointed by his master to take care of his family, who faithfully and prudently distributes their allowance according to the establishment: happy is the servant, who shall be found so employed, at his master's return. I tell you, he shall make him steward of all his estate.

Jesus answered, if there be a faithful prudent steward, appointed by his master to give his domesticks their stated allowance; happy is such a servant, whom his master at his return shall find so employ'd. I assure you, he will intrust him with the management of his whole estate.

but Jesus perceiving their malice, said, why, hypocrites, would you insnare me? shew me the tribute money. and they brought him a penny. and he said unto them, whose image and inscription is this?read more.
they answer'd, Cesar's. then said he to them, render therefore unto Cesar, the things which are Cesar's: and unto God, the things that are God's. on hearing this, they were filled with admiration, and so leaving him, they went their way.

but he, perceiving their hypocrisy, said to them, why do you lay snares for me? let me see a penny. and when they brought it, he asked them, whose image and inscription is this? they said, Cesar's. to which Jesus reply'd, render to Cesar what belongs to Cesar, and to God what belongs to God. and they were surprized at the answer.

but Jesus perceiving their malicious design, said to them, why do you practise upon me? show me a penny: whose image and inscription is this? they answer'd, Cesar's. render then, said he, to Cesar, what belongs to Cesar, and to God, what belongs to God.read more.
so not being able to take any advantage from his words, before the people, they said no more, being surpriz'd at his answer.

now as to the state of life after death, have ye not read that expression of God himself, " I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?" God is not a benefactor to the dead, but to the living.

and as for the dead, that they will actually rise, have you not read in the book of Moses those words, which God pronounc'd out of the bush to him, "I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?" he is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: and therefore you greatly mistake the meaning.

now that the dead are raised, may be inferr'd from Moses's relation concerning the bush, where he stiles the Lord, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. for he is not the God of the dead, but of the living. they are all then alive with respect to him.

and as they pressed him to answer, he rais'd himself, and said to them, he that is without sin among you, let him be the first that throws a stone at her.

Then Herod perceiving he was abused by the Magi, was full of indignation, and sent a detachment who slew all the children that were in Bethlehem and its territory, being under the age of two years, according to the limited time he had learnt of the Magi.

Jesus therefore said to her, let the children first be satisfy'd; for it would not be decent to take the children's bread, and throw it to puppys. she answer'd, true, Lord, yet puppys eat of the crumbs, which children drop under the table. then said Jesus to her, for this expression, go thy way, the demon has left your daughter.

but he answered, it is not just to take the childrens bread, and throw it to puppies. 'tis true, Lord, said she: yet even puppies eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's table. then Jesus answered her, O woman, great is thy faith: as you desire, be it done. and her daughter was healed from that very hour.

and said, "thou heap of imposture and mischief, offspring of the devil, and enemy to all justice, wilt thou not cease to pervers men from the right ways of the Lord?

that we should be no longer children, fluctuating, and carried about with every empty doctrine, by men vers'd in sleight and the crafty arts of deceit:

for it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."

for the wisdom of this world is folly, in the eye of God: as it is written, "he surprizes the wise in all their artifices." and again, "the Lord knows, that the thoughts of the wise are vain."

but I fear lest by some means or other, as Eve was beguiled by the subtilly of the serpent, your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is due to Christ.

witness) lest satan should have got some advantage of us: for we are apprized of his artifices.

for these are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguised so as to pass for true apostles. and no wonder; for satan himself may put on the appearance of an angel of light. therefore it is not strange if his agents are so disguised as to appear like ministers of the gospel; but their end shall be answerable to their actions.

Upon this the Pharisees withdrew, and consulted how they might insnare him in his discourse. they dispatch'd therefore some of their disciples, together with the Herodians, who thus address'd themselves to him; master, we know that you are sincere, and faithfully teach the divine law without fear or flattery: for you have no regard to the outward quality of men. tell us therefore, what is your opinion? is it lawful to pay tribute to Cesar, or no?

Then they sent some of the Pharisees, and of the Herodians to insnare him in his discourse. when they were come, they said to him, master, we know that you are sincere, that you are not influenced by any one, for you have no regard to the person of men: but teach us the way of God according to truth. now should we pay tribute to Cesar, or no? shall we pay, or shall we not pay? but he, perceiving their hypocrisy, said to them, why do you lay snares for me?

they watch'd then, and suborn'd spies, who under pretence of their tender consciences, might ensnare him in his discourse, and so betray him to the civil power and jurisdiction of the governor. they address'd him therefore in this manner; master, we know that what you say and teach is all right. you are not influenc'd by the quality of men, but explain the divine law with sincerity: should we pay tribute to Cesar, or no?

About this time the chief priests, and the elders of the people, assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and consulted how to seize Jesus by surprize, and take away his life.

Within two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread. and the chief priests, with the Scribes, contriv'd how they might seize Jesus by surprize, and put him to death. but they objected, it could not be during the festival, for fear of a popular insurrection.

Now the feast of unleaven'd bread, which is call'd the passover, being nigh, the chief priests consulted with the Scribes, how they might put Jesus to death; for they were afraid of the people.

'tis own'd I did not put you to any charges myself: but was so crafty, as to over-reach you, by others.