35 Bible Verses about Prudence

A fool's anger is instantly known. A prudent man conceals shame.

The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way. The folly of fools is deception.

The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge. The ear of the wise one searches for knowledge.

Every prudent man acts with knowledge. A fool displays his folly.

A prudent man sees evil and takes refuge. The simple (fool) (inexperienced) keep going and suffers.

Jesus answered: I will ask you one question. If you give me the answer, I will say by what authority I do these things. Where did the baptism of John come from? Was it from heaven or from men? They talked among themselves. If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say, 'Why did you not have faith in him?' But if we say, 'From men,' we must fear the people, because they all recognize John to be a prophet. read more.
Therefore they answered: We have no idea. He replied to them: Then I will not tell you by what authority I do these things.

My servant will act wisely. He will be raised, lifted up and highly exalted.

The Pharisees took counsel how they might trap him in his talk. They sent their disciples with the Herodians to Jesus. They said: Teacher we know you are truthful. You teach the way of God in truth. And you are not partial to the influence of men. Tell us what you think? Is it lawful to pay the poll tax to Caesar, or not? read more.
Jesus perceived their wickedness. He said: Why do you test me, you hypocrites? Show me the tribute money. They brought a penny (denarius) to him. He asked: Whose image and superscription is on this coin? Caesar's, they said. Then he said: Pay Caesar the things that are Caesar's. Pay God the things that are God's.

They came down the mountain. He warned them not to tell anyone what they had seen until after the Son of man had risen from the dead.

Jesus told them not to tell anyone. The more he told them not to talk the more they talked.

He gave orders to the disciples to tell no man he was the Christ.

Their eyes were opened. Jesus strictly warned them: Do not let anyone know about this.

He commanded them not to make him known.

I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

Behave with wisdom toward those who are outside, making the most of the time.

Be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise.

I got up in the night and took a small band of men with me. I said nothing to any man of what God put into my heart to do for Jerusalem, I had no beast with me but the one on which I was seated. I went in the dark through the gateway of the valley past the Fountain of the Snake (Serpent's Well) as far as the place where waste material was stored. From there I viewed the broken down walls of Jerusalem and the gateways that were burned with fire. Then I went on to the door of the fountain and to the king's pool: but there was no room for my beast to get through. read more.
Then in the night I went up by the stream, viewed the wall and then turned back. I went in by the valley gate. The chiefs had no knowledge of where I had been or what I was doing. I had not then said anything to the Jews or to the priests or the great ones or the chiefs or the rest of those who were doing the work.

So in the lowest part of the space at the back of the walls, in the open places, I put the people by families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. And after looking, I got up and said to the great ones and to the chiefs and to the rest of the people, Have no fear of them. Keep in mind Jehovah who is great and greatly to be feared. Take up arms for your brothers, your sons, and your daughters, your wives and your houses. When our enemies heard that we had knowledge of their designs and that God had made their purpose come to nothing, we all went back to the wall, everyone to his work. read more.
From that time, half of my servants were doing their part of the work, and half kept the spears and body-covers and the bows and the metal wardresses. The leaders were in back of the men of Judah. Those who were building the wall and those who were moving material did their part. Everyone worked with one hand and with his spear in the other. Every builder was working with his sword at his side. By my side was a man for sounding the warning horn.

The chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council. They asked what they should do. This man does many signs and miracles. If we let him alone all men will believe in him. Then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation. Caiaphas the high priest that year said to them: You know nothing at all. read more.
You do not understand that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people. That way the whole nation will not perish. He did not say this from his own understanding. As high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation. He would die for the nation. He would also gather together the children of God that are scattered abroad. So from that day forth they took counsel that they might put him to death. Jesus did not walk openly among the Jews anymore. He departed into the wilderness of the nearby country. He and his disciples stayed at a city called Ephraim.

The Pharisees left and took counsel against him, to decide how they might destroy him. Jesus was aware of this and withdrew from the place. Many followed him and were healed by him. He warned them not to tell anyone where he was.

Jesus went with his disciples to the sea. A great crowed from Galilee followed. They were also from Judaea,

I will do things that shock and amaze them. I will destroy the wisdom of those who claim to know and understand (discern).

It is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. (Isaiah 29:14)

The discretion of a man defers anger. It is his glory to overlook a transgression.

A fool's anger is instantly known. A prudent man conceals shame.

She considers a field and buys it. With the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

She opens her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue is the law of kindness (she speaks kind things).

A prudent man conceals knowledge. The heart of fools proclaims foolishness.

Every prudent man acts with knowledge. A fool displays his folly.

A fool despises his father's instruction, but he who accepts discipline is prudent.

The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge. The ear of the wise one searches for knowledge.

They all wept profusely, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him. (embraced him) (hugged him) (Genesis 45:14) What grieved them most was his statement that they would not see him again. They accompanied him to the ship.

As we stayed there several days, a prophet came from Judea, named Agabus. Coming to us he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands. He said: The Holy Spirit says, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owns this belt, and shall deliver him into the hands of the nations. When we heard this everyone pleaded with Paul not to go to Jerusalem. read more.
Why do you weep and break my heart? Paul answered: For I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. He would not be dissuaded. So we ceased, saying: The will of God be done!

I am compelled by the spirit to go to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there. Holy Spirit warns me that in every city, prison and hardships are facing me there. I do not consider my life of any account. It is not dear to me so that I may finish the race, and I may accomplish the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to preach the good news of the grace of God. read more.
I know all of you and have preached the kingdom with you. But you will not see me again.

The foolish took no oil with their lamps.

But the wise answered: 'There will not be enough for both of us. Go to the dealers and buy oil for yourself.'

You are in for trouble, if you try to hide your plans from Jehovah! You think what you do in the dark cannot be seen. So you ask: Who sees us, who knows us?

You are doomed! You think you are wise. You think you are so very clever.

The wise in heart will be called sensible. The sweetness of the lips increases learning.

A fool despises his father's instruction, but he who accepts discipline is prudent.

I got up in the night and took a small band of men with me. I said nothing to any man of what God put into my heart to do for Jerusalem, I had no beast with me but the one on which I was seated. I went in the dark through the gateway of the valley past the Fountain of the Snake (Serpent's Well) as far as the place where waste material was stored. From there I viewed the broken down walls of Jerusalem and the gateways that were burned with fire. Then I went on to the door of the fountain and to the king's pool: but there was no room for my beast to get through. read more.
Then in the night I went up by the stream, viewed the wall and then turned back. I went in by the valley gate. The chiefs had no knowledge of where I had been or what I was doing. I had not then said anything to the Jews or to the priests or the great ones or the chiefs or the rest of those who were doing the work.

So in the lowest part of the space at the back of the walls, in the open places, I put the people by families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. And after looking, I got up and said to the great ones and to the chiefs and to the rest of the people, Have no fear of them. Keep in mind Jehovah who is great and greatly to be feared. Take up arms for your brothers, your sons, and your daughters, your wives and your houses. When our enemies heard that we had knowledge of their designs and that God had made their purpose come to nothing, we all went back to the wall, everyone to his work. read more.
From that time, half of my servants were doing their part of the work, and half kept the spears and body-covers and the bows and the metal wardresses. The leaders were in back of the men of Judah. Those who were building the wall and those who were moving material did their part. Everyone worked with one hand and with his spear in the other. Every builder was working with his sword at his side. By my side was a man for sounding the warning horn. I said to the leaders and the rest of the people: The work is extensive and widely spaced and we are far away from one another on the wall. Wherever you may be when the horn is sounded, come here to us. Our God will fight for us. So we went on with the work. Half of them had spears in their hands from the dawn of the morning till the stars were seen. At the same time I said to the people: Let everyone with his servant come inside Jerusalem for the night. At night they may keep watch for us, and go on working by day. Not one of us, I or my brothers or my servants or the watchmen who were with me, changed clothes. Everyone went armed to the water.

Now there was found in it a poor wise man. By his wisdom he delivered the city. Yet no man remembered that same poor man.

Praise Jehovah the God of Israel, Creator of heaven and earth! He has given King David a wise son, full of understanding and skill. He now plans to build a Temple for Jehovah and a palace for himself.

Jesus did not walk openly among the Jews anymore. He departed into the wilderness of the nearby country. He and his disciples stayed at a city called Ephraim.

While you have the light, exert active faith in the light, that you may become sons of light. Jesus said this and then he departed and hid himself from them.

Listen to the advice I give you. May God be with you! You must be the people's representative to God and bring their disagreements to him. You must instruct them in the laws and the teachings. Show them how to live and tell them what to do. You should choose capable men from all the people. Find men who respect God. These must be men you can trust who hate corruption. Put them in charge of groups of thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. read more.
They must be the ones who usually settle disagreements among the people. They should bring all-important cases to you. But they should settle all minor cases themselves. Make it easier for yourself by letting them help you. If you do this, as God commands, you will not wear yourself out. All these people can go home with their disputes settled.

Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in Seir, the country of Edom. He informed them to say: Your obedient servant, Jacob, reports to my master Esau that I have been staying with Laban and that I have delayed my return until now. I own cattle, donkeys, sheep, goats, and slaves. I am sending you word in the hope of gaining your favor. read more.
When the messengers returned to Jacob, they said: We went to your brother Esau. He is already on his way to meet you. He has four hundred men with him. Jacob was frightened and worried. He divided the people who were with him into two groups. He also divided his sheep, goats, cattle, and camels. He thought: If Esau comes and attacks the first group, the other may be able to escape. Then Jacob prayed: O God of my father Abraham, the God of my father Isaac, O Jehovah, you said to me: 'Go back to your country and your family and I will be good to you.' I am less than nothing in comparison with all your love and your faithfulness to me your servant. I only had a stick in my hand when I traveled across Jordan. Now I have become two armies. Save me from the hand of Esau, my brother. I fear that he will attack me and kill both mothers and children. You said, 'I will make sure that you are prosperous and that your descendants will be as many as the grains of sand on the seashore. No one will be able to count them because there are so many.' Jacob stayed there that night. Then he prepared a gift for his brother Esau from what he had brought with him: There were two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred female sheep and twenty male sheep, also thirty female camels with their young, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys. He placed servants in charge of each herd. He said to his servants: Go ahead of me, and maintain a distance between the herds. He commanded the first servant: When my brother Esau meets you and asks you, 'To whom do you belong, and where are you going, and whose animals are these ahead of you?' Say, 'They belong to your servant Jacob. This is a gift sent to you. Jacob is directly behind us.' He also commanded the second servant, the third, and all the others who followed the herds. He said: Say the same thing to Esau when you find him. Be sure to say, 'Jacob is right behind us.' He thought: I will make peace with him by giving him this gift that I am sending ahead of me. After that, I will see him, and he will welcome me back. Jacob sent the gift ahead of him, while he stayed in the camp that night. That same night Jacob got up, took his two wives, his two concubines, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok River. After he sent them across, he also sent across all that he owned.

A prudent man conceals knowledge. The heart of fools proclaims foolishness.

The simple believes every word, but the prudent man gives thought to his steps.

The simple are clothed with folly. The prudent are crowned with knowledge.

Every prudent man acts with knowledge. A fool displays his folly.

The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge. The ear of the wise one searches for knowledge.

One of his attendants said: Jesse of the town of Bethlehem has a son who is a good musician. He is also a brave and handsome man, a good soldier, and an able speaker. Jehovah is with him.

The wise in heart will be called sensible. The sweetness of the lips increases learning.

The simple believes every word, but the prudent man gives thought to his steps.

Then Jesus prayed: I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You have hidden these things from the wise and understanding, and have revealed them to children. (Acts 2:36)

This is what Jehovah of Hosts says about Edom: Is there no longer any wisdom in Teman? Has wisdom disappeared from your people? Has their wisdom vanished?

The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way. The folly of fools is deception.

A prudent man sees evil and takes refuge. The simple (fool) (inexperienced) keep going and suffers.

Discretion will protect you. Understanding will watch over you.

A fool despises his father's instruction, but he who accepts discipline is prudent.

The scribe said to him: It is true teacher you've said it well that he is one and there is no one else besides him. To love him with all the heart, and with all understanding, and with total strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is much more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. When Jesus saw that he answered intelligently he said to him: You are not far from the kingdom of God. No man dared ask any questions after that.

The king said to Joseph: God has shown you all this. Therefore it is obvious that you have greater wisdom and insight than anyone else.

Wisdom dwells with discretion and it finds knowledge and sound judgment.

He made this undeserved kindness abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence (insight).

Wisdom dwells with discretion and it finds knowledge and sound judgment.

My son, do not let them depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion!

A prudent man sees evil and takes refuge. The simple (fool) (inexperienced) keep going and suffers.

The children of Reuben and Gad and the half tribe of Manassah built a large altar by the borders of Jordan in the land of Canaan. The children of Israel heard that the half tribe of Manasseh built an altar in the land of Canaan on the side belonging to the sons of Israel, at the Jordan when they passed by. When the people of Israel heard this, the whole community came together at Shiloh to go to war against the eastern tribes. read more.
Then the people of Israel sent Phinehas, the son of Eleazar the priest, to the people of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and East Manasseh in the land of Gilead. Ten leading men went with Phinehas, one from each of the western tribes and each one the head of a family among the clans. They came to the land of Gilead, to the people of Reuben, Gad, and East Manasseh, Speaking for the whole assembly of Jehovah's people they said: Why have you done this evil thing against the God of Israel? You have rebelled against Jehovah by building this altar for yourselves! You are no longer following him! Do you remember our sin at Peor, when Jehovah punished his own people with an epidemic? We are still suffering because of that. Was that not enough sin? Are you going to refuse to follow him now? If you rebel against Jehovah now, he will be angry with everyone in Israel. If your land is not fit to worship in, come over into Jehovah's land, where his Tabernacle is. Claim some land among us. But do not rebel against Jehovah or make rebels out of us by building an altar in addition to the altar of Jehovah our God. Remember how Achan son of Zerah would not obey the command about the things condemned to destruction. The whole assembly of Israel was punished for that. Achan was not the only one who died because of his sin. The people of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and East Manasseh answered the heads of the families of the western tribes: The Mighty, Divine One is God of Gods! He is Jehovah! The Mighty, Divine One is God of Gods! He is Jehovah! He knows why we did this, and we want you to know too! If we rebelled and did not keep faith with Jehovah, do not allow us to live any longer! If we disobeyed Jehovah and built our own altar to burn sacrifices on or to use for grain offerings or fellowship offerings, let Jehovah himself punish us. No! We did it because we were afraid that in the future your descendants would say to ours: What do you have to do with Jehovah, the God of Israel? He made the Jordan a boundary between the people of Reuben and Gad and us. You have nothing to do with Jehovah. Then your descendants might make our descendants stop worshiping Jehovah. We did not built an altar to burn sacrifices or make offerings, but instead, as a sign for our people and yours, and for the generations after us, that we do indeed worship Jehovah. We do this before his sacred Tabernacle with our offerings to be burned and with sacrifices and fellowship offerings. This was to keep your descendants from saying that ours have nothing to do with Jehovah. We thought that if this should ever happen, our descendants could say: 'You see our ancestors made an altar just like Jehovah's altar. It was not for burning offerings or for sacrifice, but as a sign for our people and yours.' We would certainly not rebel against Jehovah or stop following him now by building an altar to burn offerings on or for grain offerings or sacrifices. We would not build any other altar than the altar of Jehovah our God that stands in front of the Tabernacle of his presence. Phinehas the priest and the ten leading men of the community with him, the heads of families of the western tribes, heard what the people of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and East Manasseh had to say, and they were satisfied. Phinehas, the son of Eleazar the priest, said to them: We know that Jehovah is with us. You have not rebelled against him. So you have saved the people of Israel from Jehovah's punishment. Phinehas and the leaders left the people of Reuben and Gad in the land of Gilead and went back to Canaan, to the people of Israel, and reported to them. The Israelites were satisfied and praised God. They no longer talked about going to war to devastate the land where the people of Reuben and Gad had settled. The people of Reuben and Gad said: This altar is a witness to all of us that Jehovah is God. Therefore they named it witness.

David told him: You might slow me down if you come with me. Go back into the city and tell Absalom: Your Majesty, I am your servant. I will serve you just as I served your father in the past. Hushai, if you do that you can help me ruin Ahithophel's plans. Zadok and Abiathar the priests will be there with you. You can tell them everything you hear in the palace. read more.
Have them send their sons Ahimaaz and Jonathan to tell me what you hear. David's advisor Hushai slipped back into Jerusalem. Absalom came into the city at the same time.

So Abigail quickly took two hundred loaves of bread, two full wineskins, five butchered sheep, a bushel of roasted grain, one hundred bunches of raisins, and two hundred fig cakes and loaded them on donkeys. Lead the way, she told her young men, and I will follow you. But she did not tell her husband Nabal about it. She rode her donkey down a hidden mountain path. David and his men came to her. read more.
David thought: I guarded this man's possessions in the desert for nothing! Not one of his possessions was missing. Yet, he paid me back with evil when I was good to him. May God punish me if I do not kill every one of those men before morning! Abigail saw David and quickly got down from her donkey. She immediately bowed down in front of David with her face touching the ground. She fell at his feet and said: Let me be held responsible for this wrong. Please let me speak with you. Please listen to me. You should not take this worthless person Nabal seriously. He is like his name. His name is Nabal (Godless Fool). He is foolish. But I did not see the young men you sent. Jehovah kept you from spilling innocent blood and from getting a victory by your own efforts. As Jehovah lives and you live, may your enemies and those who are trying to harm you end up like Nabal. Please accept this gift from your maidservant. And give it to the young men who accompany my lord. Also please forgive the transgression of your maidservant. Jehovah will certainly give you a lasting dynasty, because my lord is fighting the battles of Jehovah. Evil will not be found in you all your days. Even if someone pursues you to take your life, your life is wrapped securely in the bundle (purse) (bag) of the living from Jehovah your God (God will keep you safe). He will dispose of the lives of your enemies. They will be hurled like stones from a sling. When Jehovah does all the good he promised and makes you ruler of Israel, you should not have a troubled conscience because you spilled blood for no good reason and claimed your own victory. When Jehovah gives you success, remember me.

They said to him: If you will be a servant to this people today, caring for them and giving them a favorable answer, then they will be your servants for ever.

Then some of the leaders from other towns stepped forward. They told the crowd: Years ago when Hezekiah was king of Judah, a prophet named Micah from the town of Moresheth said: 'Jehovah of Hosts says, Jerusalem will be plowed under and left in ruins. Thorns will cover the mountain where the Temple now stands.' Then the leaders continued: No one put Micah to death for saying that. Instead, King Hezekiah prayed to Jehovah with reverence and trembling and asked him to have mercy. Then Jehovah decided not to destroy Jerusalem, even though he had already said he would. People of Judah, if Jeremiah is killed we will bring a terrible disaster on ourselves. read more.
There was another man prophesying in the name of Jehovah. His name was Uriah, son of Shemaiah, from Kiriath Jearim. He prophesied against this city and this land as Jeremiah did. When King Jehoiakim and all his personal troops and officials heard what Uriah said the king wanted to put him to death. But Uriah heard about it and fled in fear to Egypt. King Jehoiakim sent soldiers to Egypt: Elnathan son of Achbor and other soldiers along with him. They brought Uriah from Egypt and took him to King Jehoiakim. The king executed Uriah and threw his body into the burial ground for the common people.

One of the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had a reputation among all the people. He commanded to put the apostles outside for a while. He said to them: You men of Israel be careful what you intend to do to these men. Sometime ago Theudas claimed to be somebody. About four hundred men joined and obeyed him. He was killed and they finally dispersed. read more.
After this man Judas of Galilee rose in the days of the taxing, and drew away many people after him. He also perished and all who obeyed him dispersed. I tell you: Leave these men alone. If this message and this work are from men it will come to nothing. But if it is from God, you cannot overthrow it; otherwise you may find yourselves fighting against God.

Then the people of Ephraim said to Gideon: Why did you not call us when you went to fight the Midianites? Why did you treat us like this? They complained bitterly about it. He said: What have I accomplished compared to you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abi-ezer? God delivered the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb, to you. What was I able to do in comparison to you? Then their anger toward him subsided at what he said.

The city was filled with the confusion. They rushed with one accord into the theatre and seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel. Paul wanted to enter the theatre with the people but his disciples would not permit it. Some of the officials and his friends sent him a message begging him not to enter the theatre. read more.
Some cried one thing and others another for the crowd was in confusion. Most of them did not know why they assembled. The crowd of Jews thrust Alexander forward. Alexander motioned with his hand and wanted to make a defense to the people. They perceived that he was a Jew and all with one voice shouted for two hours: Great is Artemis of the Ephesians. The city recorder quieted the crowd. He said: You men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of the great Artemis, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? Seeing that these things are indisputable it is fitting that you keep calm and do nothing rash. You brought these men, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess. If Demetrius and the craftsmen that are with him have a grievance against any man, the courts are open, and there are judges. Let them accuse one another. But if you seek anything about other matters, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. For indeed we are in danger to be charged with rioting (sedition) because of today's events. We would not be able to account for this ruckus for there is no reason for it. When he finished speaking he dismissed the assembly.

The king got out of bed even though it was night. He said to his officials: I will tell you what the Syrians are planning! They know about the famine here, so they have left their camp to go and hide in the countryside. They think that we will leave the city to find food. Then they will take us alive and capture the city. One of his servants said: The people in the city are doomed like those who have already died. Send some men with five of the horses that are left and find out what happened.

So David did everything Saul sent him to do successfully. Saul made him a commander in his army. This pleased the people and Saul's servants. David returned from a campaign against the Philistines. That same day women from all of Israel's cities came to meet King Saul. They sang and danced. Tambourines, joyful music, and triangles accompanied them. The women who celebrated sang: Saul has defeated thousands but David tens of thousands! read more.
Saul became very angry because he considered this saying to be insulting. He said: To David they credit tens of thousands but to me they credit only a few thousand. The only thing left for David is my kingdom. He was jealous and suspicious of David from that day on. The next day Jehovah let a distressing spirit take control of Saul. He began acting like a crazy man inside his house. David came to play the harp for Saul as usual. This time Saul had a spear in his hand. Saul balanced the spear in his hand and said: I will give David a blow! I will pin him to the wall. David got away from him twice. Saul was afraid of David, because Jehovah was with David but left Saul. So Saul sent him away. He put him in command of a thousand men. David led his men in battle. Jehovah helped David. He and his soldiers always won their battles. Saul saw how wisely David behaved. This made him fear him. Everyone in Israel and Judah loved David. He led them in and out of battle. Finally, Saul said to David: Here is my oldest daughter Merab. I will give her to you as your wife if you prove yourself to be a warrior for me and fight Jehovah's battles. Saul thought: I must not lay a hand on him. Let the Philistines do that. David answered: Who am I? What is my family that I should be the king's son-in-law? The time came for Merab to be given to David. Instead, she was given to a man named Adriel from Meholah. Saul's daughter Michal fell in love with David. When Saul heard of this he was pleased. He said to himself: I will give Michal to David. I will use her to trap him. The Philistines will kill him. So for the second time Saul said to David: You will be my son-in-law. Saul ordered his officials to speak to David in private. They went to David and said: Look, the king likes you, and all of his officials are loyal to you. Why not ask the king if you may marry his daughter Michal? Saul's servants said these things to David. And David said: I am not rich or famous enough to marry Princess Michal. Saul's servants told him: David asked, do you think it is easy to become the king's son-in-law? I am a poor and unimportant person. When the officers told Saul what David had said, Saul's officials reported to David what Saul had said. David was delighted with the thought of becoming the king's son-in-law. Before the day set for the wedding, David and his men killed two hundred Philistines. He took their foreskins to the king and counted them all out to him. This was so he might become his son-in-law. So Saul had to give his daughter Michal in marriage to David. Saul knew she loved David. He also realized that Jehovah was helping David. Knowing those things made Saul even more afraid of David. He was David's enemy for the rest of his life. The Philistine rulers kept coming to fight Israel. David always won when he fought them. He won more battles against the Philistines than any of Saul's other officers. This made him famous.

Pharaoh should look for a wise and intelligent man and put him in charge of Egypt. Make arrangements to appoint supervisors over the land. Take a fifth of Egypt's harvest during the seven good years. Have them collect all the food during these good years. Store up grain under Pharaoh's control, to be kept for food in the cities. read more.
This food will be a reserve supply for our country during the seven years of famine that will happen in Egypt. Then the land will not be ruined by the famine. The king and his officials approved this plan, and he said to them: We will never find a better man than Joseph. He is a man who has God's Spirit in him. The king said to Joseph: God has shown you all this. Therefore it is obvious that you have greater wisdom and insight than anyone else. I will put you in charge of my country. All my people will obey your orders. Your authority will be second only to mine. I now appoint you governor over all Egypt. Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand. He clothed him in garments of fine linen and put the gold necklace around his neck. He had him ride in his second chariot. They proclaimed before him: Bow the knee! Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph: Though I am Pharaoh, yet without your permission no one shall raise his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. Pharaoh named Joseph, Zaphenath-paneah. He gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, as his wife. And Joseph went forth over the land of Egypt. Now Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through all the land of Egypt. During the seven years of plenty the land produced abundantly. He gathered all the food of these seven years that occurred in the land of Egypt and placed the food in the cities. He placed in every city the food from its own surrounding fields. Thus Joseph stored up grain in great abundance, like the sand of the sea. He finally stopped measuring it, for it was beyond measure. Before the year of famine came, there were born to Joseph two sons, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, bore to him. Joseph named his firstborn son Manasseh, because God helped him forget all his troubles and all about his father's family. He named the second son Ephraim, because God made him fruitful in the land where he had suffered. The seven years when there was plenty of food in Egypt came to an end. The seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in every other country, but there was food throughout Egypt. When the Egyptians became hungry, they cried out to the king for food. So he ordered them to go to Joseph and do what he told them. The famine grew worse and spread over the entire country. Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians. People came to Egypt from all over the world to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe everywhere.

Jethro replied: That is not a good way to do it. You and your people will wear yourselves out. This is too much work for you. You cannot do it alone! Listen to the advice I give you. May God be with you! You must be the people's representative to God and bring their disagreements to him. read more.
You must instruct them in the laws and the teachings. Show them how to live and tell them what to do. You should choose capable men from all the people. Find men who respect God. These must be men you can trust who hate corruption. Put them in charge of groups of thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. They must be the ones who usually settle disagreements among the people. They should bring all-important cases to you. But they should settle all minor cases themselves. Make it easier for yourself by letting them help you. If you do this, as God commands, you will not wear yourself out. All these people can go home with their disputes settled.

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroea. When they arrived there they went to the synagogue of the Jews. The Bereans were nobler than those in Thessalonica because they received the word with all readiness of mind and examined the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul told them was true. Many of them believed. So did the prominent Greek women and prominent men. read more.
When the Jews of Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Beroea, they went there and stirred up the crowds and caused trouble. The brothers immediately sent Paul to the sea. Silas and Timothy stayed at Beroea. Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens. He sent orders to Silas and Timothy that they should come to him as soon as possible.

Those who heard it glorified God. They said to him: You see brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews who have believed. They are all zealous for the law. They have been informed concerning you, that you teach all the Jews who are among the nations to forsake Moses. You tell them not to circumcise their children neither to walk after the customs. What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you are here. read more.
Do what we tell you. We have four men who have taken a vow. Take these men and join in on their purification rites. Let them shave their heads. All will know there is no truth in the things they have heard about you, that you walk orderly and keep the law. Concerning those of the nations who have believed, we write: they should keep themselves from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication. Then Paul took the men and became purified with them. They went into the temple, declaring the fulfillment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them.

You are doomed! You think you are wise. You think you are so very clever.

All goes well for the person who is generous and lends willingly. He earns an honest living.

Let the wise understand these things. Let the discerning know them. For the ways of Jehovah are right. And the righteous will walk in them. But transgressors will stumble in them.

Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi: You have brought trouble on me by making me loathsome to the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites and the Per'izzites. My numbers are few. If they gather themselves against me and attack my household I will be destroyed.

Jacob learned that his daughter had been disgraced. Since his sons were out in the fields with his livestock, he did nothing until they came back.

Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He took his servant and went to Beersheba in Judah. He left the servant there. Elijah walked a whole day into the wilderness. He stopped and sat down under a broom plant and wished he would die. It is just too much, Jehovah, he prayed. Take away my life. I could just as well be dead.

Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in Seir, the country of Edom. He informed them to say: Your obedient servant, Jacob, reports to my master Esau that I have been staying with Laban and that I have delayed my return until now. I own cattle, donkeys, sheep, goats, and slaves. I am sending you word in the hope of gaining your favor. read more.
When the messengers returned to Jacob, they said: We went to your brother Esau. He is already on his way to meet you. He has four hundred men with him. Jacob was frightened and worried. He divided the people who were with him into two groups. He also divided his sheep, goats, cattle, and camels. He thought: If Esau comes and attacks the first group, the other may be able to escape. Then Jacob prayed: O God of my father Abraham, the God of my father Isaac, O Jehovah, you said to me: 'Go back to your country and your family and I will be good to you.' I am less than nothing in comparison with all your love and your faithfulness to me your servant. I only had a stick in my hand when I traveled across Jordan. Now I have become two armies. Save me from the hand of Esau, my brother. I fear that he will attack me and kill both mothers and children. You said, 'I will make sure that you are prosperous and that your descendants will be as many as the grains of sand on the seashore. No one will be able to count them because there are so many.' Jacob stayed there that night. Then he prepared a gift for his brother Esau from what he had brought with him: There were two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred female sheep and twenty male sheep, also thirty female camels with their young, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys. He placed servants in charge of each herd. He said to his servants: Go ahead of me, and maintain a distance between the herds. He commanded the first servant: When my brother Esau meets you and asks you, 'To whom do you belong, and where are you going, and whose animals are these ahead of you?' Say, 'They belong to your servant Jacob. This is a gift sent to you. Jacob is directly behind us.' He also commanded the second servant, the third, and all the others who followed the herds. He said: Say the same thing to Esau when you find him. Be sure to say, 'Jacob is right behind us.' He thought: I will make peace with him by giving him this gift that I am sending ahead of me. After that, I will see him, and he will welcome me back. Jacob sent the gift ahead of him, while he stayed in the camp that night.

Let the wise understand these things. Let the discerning know them. For the ways of Jehovah are right. And the righteous will walk in them. But transgressors will stumble in them.

The prudent will keep silent for it is an evil time.

Saul said: No man is to be put to death today, for today Jehovah has saved Israel.

He was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man, who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.

Daniel determined in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king's special food and wine. He requested permission from the officer in charge that he might not defile himself. God caused the officer in charge to show special favor and kindness to Daniel. The officer in charge said to Daniel: I fear my lord the king. He has appointed your food and your drink. Why should he see your faces worse looking than other young people your age? Would you endanger my head with the king? read more.
Daniel answered the officer appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: Test your servants, please, for ten days. Give them vegetables to eat and water to drink. You compare our appearance and the appearance of the young people who eat the king's special food. Then you deal with us according to what you see. So he listened to them and allowed them to prove the matter for ten days.

When Paul saw that part of them were Sadducees and the other part Pharisees, he cried out in the Sanhedrin: Men! Brothers! I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee! I am being judged because of the hope and resurrection of the dead.

The prudent will keep silent for it is an evil time.

Peter motioned for them to be quiet. Then he told them how God brought him out of the prison. He said: Tell James and the brothers. Then he went away to another place.

They said to him: If you will be a servant to this people today, caring for them and giving them a favorable answer, then they will be your servants for ever.

When his brothers left he secretly went to the feast.

Avoid this, that any man should blame us in the matter of this bounty that is ministered by us:

Her husband Joseph was an honorable man and did not want to disgrace her publicly. So he decided to break the marriage agreement with her secretly.

They knew about it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the country around them.

Paul wanted to have him travel with him. So he had him circumcised because of the Jews who were in the area. For they knew that his father was a Greek.

When Paul saw that part of them were Sadducees and the other part Pharisees, he cried out in the Sanhedrin: Men! Brothers! I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee! I am being judged because of the hope and resurrection of the dead.