11 Bible Verses about Prudence

and Jesus answered them, let me ask you one question, if ye answer me that, I shall likewise satisfy you by what authority I do these things. the baptism of John, whence was it? was it a divine or a human Institution? and they reasoned thus with themselves, if we say, it was divine; he will say, then, why did ye not believe him? but if we say, it was merely human, we are obnoxious to the people; for all hold John as a prophet. read more.
so they made answer, we cannot tell. and Jesus said, neither shall I tell you, by what authority I do these things.

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? read more.
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? 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.

as they were going down the mountain, he order'd them not to tell any body what they had seen, till the son of man was raised from the dead:

and Jesus charg'd them not to mention it to any one; but the more be enjoin'd them, the more they publish'd it.

Then he charged his disciples not to tell any man that he was the Christ.

and they had their sight: but Jesus gave them a strict charge, saying, take care not to let any man know it:

but he strictly charged them, not to make him known.

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:

Be prudent in your conduct to those, who are not christians: and make the best of of every opportunity.

See then that you behave circumspectly, and not as fools, but as wise,

upon this the chief priests and the Pharisees being assembled in council, said, what shall we do? for this man performs many miracles. if we let him go on at this rate, all will believe on him; and the Romans will come, and destroy both our temple and nation. but one of them named Caiaphas, being the high priest at that time, said to them, ye don't know what you are about. read more.
you little consider it is our interest, that one man should die for the people, to prevent the destruction of the whole nation. now this he did not say from his own motion: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation: and not for that nation only, but likewise to reassemble the dispersed children of God into one body. from that day therefore, they consulted together to put Jesus to death. For which reason he did not afterwards appear publickly among the Jews; but retir'd into the country near the desart, to a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.

Upon this the Pharisees went out of the synagogue, and form'd a conspiracy against his life. but Jesus perceiving their design, withdrew himself thence, accompany'd by great multitudes, and he healed all their sick, charging them not to discover him.

But Jesus retired with his disciples towards the sea: where a great multitude followed him from Galilee, from Judea,

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

then melted into tears, they fell upon his neck and kissed him, being more particularly afflicted at his having said, "they should see his face no more." and then they conducted him to the ship.

after we had been there several days, a prophet arriv'd from Judea, one Agabus, who made us a visit. when taking Paul's girdle, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, "thus saith the holy spirit, so shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man, that owns this girdle, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles." upon hearing this, we and some of the city intreated him not to go to Jerusalem. read more.
but Paul replied, what do you mean by afflicting me thus with your tears? I am not only ready to meet my chains, but even to die at Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesus. he being then inflexible, we desisted, saying, the will of the Lord be done.

in our Lord Jesus Christ. but now I am fix'd in my resolution to go to Jerusalem, without any apprehension of what may befal me there: save what the holy spirit in every city declares, "that bonds and afflictions wait for me." things that little affect me, nor is life so much my concern, as to finish my course, and the charge I receiv'd from the Lord Jesus, to attest the declaration of the divine favour. read more.
and now I am persuaded you will none of you see my face any more: whilst I have been among you, I have proclaim'd the kingdom of the Messias:

they that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

but the wise answered, for fear there should not be enough for us and you, go rather to those that sell; and buy for your selves.

For which reason he did not afterwards appear publickly among the Jews; but retir'd into the country near the desart, to a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.

while ye have the light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. after having said these things, Jesus retir'd, and conceal'd himself from them.

At the same time Jesus, continuing his discourses, said, "I thank thee, O father, Lord of heaven and earth, for having revealed unto babes what thou hast hid from the wise and prudent.

the Scribe replied, what you have said, master, is very true, there is one God, and no other but he. and to love him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, with all its faculties, and to love one's neighbour as one's self is more acceptable than all the offerings and sacrifices in the world. Jesus observing he answer'd so discreetly, said to him, you are not far from the kingdom of God. and no man after that was so hardy as to ask him any question.

out of the over-flowing treasures of his comprehensive wisdom and contrivance.

when a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of law, who was respected by all the people, rose up in the council, and moved the apostles might withdraw for some time. and then he said, "ye men of Israel, be cautious how you proceed with regard to these men. for some time ago one Theudas started up, pretending to be something extraordinary, who was join'd indeed by about four hundred men: but he was no sooner put to death, than his followers all dispers'd, and were reduc'd to nothing. read more.
after this man, Judas of Galilee appear'd, at the time of the registry, and seduc'd many people: he also perished, and all his followers were dispersed. my opinion therefore is, not to meddle with these men, but to let them go on: for if the design be a human project, it will fall of it self. but if it be from God, you cannot defeat it; perhaps you may be found warring against heaven." To him they agreed: and

and the whole city was fill'd with confusion: all crouded in a body to the theatre, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, both of Macedonia, who had travell'd with Paul. upon this Paul was bent upon going. to the populace, but was prevented by his disciples, and by the primates of Asia, who were his friends, and sent to desire he would not venture to the theatre: read more.
there the mob were in the utmost riot, some bawling out in one cry, some in another, and the greatest part at a loss to know why they were met. at last Alexander was disengag'd from the croud, and accus'd by the Jews. then he waved his hand, desiring to make his defence before them all. but when they knew he was a Jew, they cry'd out one and all for the space of two hours, "great is Diana of the Ephesians." at length the town-clerk appeased the people, and thus began, "who is there, O Ephesians, that does not know, that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Diana, and of her statue, which fell from heaven: since this is incontestible, it behoves you to be easy, and free from any rash conduct: for the men you have brought here, have neither plunder'd your temples, nor inveigh'd against your goddess. if Demetrius and the other artists, that are with him, can lay their action against any man, the law is open, and the proconsul is near; let them begin their process. but if the contest be about other matters, it may be decided in a regular assembly. for we run the risk of being answerable for this day's sedition: there being no justifiable occasion for such a commotion." having thus harangued them, he broke up the assembly.

Immediately the brethren sent away Paul and Silas by night to Berea, where being arriv'd, they went into the synagogue. the Jews there were of a more generous temper than those of Thessalonica: for they very readily embrac'd their doctrine, and daily examin'd, whether it was conformable to the scriptures. so that many of them believed, besides a considerable number of women of distinction, and of men, that were Greeks. read more.
but when the Jews of Thessalonica were inform'd that Paul had preached the word of God at Berea, they went thither to stir up the populace. Upon this the brethren immediately sent Paul away to the sea-coast, but Silas and Timothy staid there. however Paul's guides attended him to Athens: where they left him, after having received his orders for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed.

upon hearing this, they gave glory to God: and thus address'd Paul, you see, brother, how many thousand believing Jews there are, all however zealous for the law. now they have heard that you instruct the Jews that are among the Gentiles to abandon Moses, by telling them they must not circumcise their children, nor observe the establish'd rites. what then is to be done? they will necessarily be all assembled, for they can't but hear, you are come. read more.
yield then to our advice: there are four men here, who have made a vow: these take, and perform the rites of purification with them, contributing to the expence of having their heads shav'd: this will convince them, what has been reported of you, is all groundless, and that you stick to the observances of the law. as for the believing Gentiles, we have given them by letter this decision, "they need only take care to abstain from meats offered to idols, from blood, from the flesh of animals strangled, and from fornication." accordingly Paul went to the men, and the next day was purified with them; then entring into the temple, he declar'd how long the time of the purification was to last, and when the offering was to be made for each of them.

he was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, a man of prudence: who sent for Barnabas and Saul, desiring to hear the word of God.

But as Paul knew that one part of the Sanhedrim were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out, my brethren, "I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee, and I am now prosecuted for believing the resurrection of the dead."

but he made a sign to them with his hand, to be silent: and related to them, how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. go, said he, and acquaint James and the other brethren with this affair. after which he departed and went to another place.

but when his brethren were gone, he went likewise to the feast, not openly, but in secret.

this I did, to prevent any suspicion that might be rais'd from my having the management of so great a sum:

but Joseph her husband, being a good-natur'd man, and unwilling to expose her to publick shame, he designed to put her away privately.

of which they were appriz'd, and fled to Lystra and Derbe, citys of Lycaonia, and to the adjacent country,

so he took him and had him circumcised, out of regard to the Jews of that country, who all knew his father was a Greek.

But as Paul knew that one part of the Sanhedrim were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out, my brethren, "I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee, and I am now prosecuted for believing the resurrection of the dead."