11 Bible Verses about Prudence
Most Relevant Verses
"Which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not sit down first and calculate the cost, asking if he has the means to finish it? -- lest perhaps, when he has laid the foundation and is unable to finish, all who see it shall begin to jeer at him, saying, 'This man began to build, but could not finish.'read more.
Or what king, marching to encounter another king in war, does not first sit down and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand men to meet the one who is advancing against him with twenty thousand? If not, while the other is still a long way off, he sends messengers and sues for peace.
"Give not that which is holy to the dogs, nor throw your pearls to the swine; otherwise they will trample them under their feet and then turn and attack you.
In the same way the tongue is an insignificant part of the body, but it is immensely boastful. Remember how a mere spark may set a vast forest in flames. And the tongue is a fire. That world of iniquity, the tongue, is placed within us spotting and soiling our whole nature, and setting the whole round of our lives on fire, being itself set on fire by Gehenna. For brute nature under all its forms--beasts and birds, reptiles and fishes--can be subjected and kept in subjection by human nature.read more.
But the tongue no man or woman is able to tame. It is an ever-busy mischief, and is full of deadly poison.
"Why, it is like a man who, when going on his travels, called his bondservants and entrusted his property to their care. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one--to each according to his individual capacity; and then started from home. Without delay the one who had received the five talents went and employed them in business, and gained five more.read more.
In the same way he who had the two gained two more. But the man who had received the one went and dug a hole and buried his master's money. "After a long lapse of time the master of those servants returned, and had a reckoning with them. The one who had received the five talents came and brought five more, and said, "'Sir, it was five talents that you entrusted to me: see, I have gained five more.' "'You have done well, good and trustworthy servant,' replied his master; 'you have been trustworthy in the management of a little, I will put you in charge of much: share your master's joy.' "The second, who had received the two talents, came and said, "'Sir, it was two talents you entrusted to me: see, I have gained two more.' "'Good and trustworthy servant, you have done well,' his master replied; 'you have been trustworthy in the management of a little, I will put you in charge of much: share your master's joy.' "But, next, the man who had the one talent in his keeping came and said, "'Sir, I knew you to be a severe man, reaping where you had not sown and garnering what you had not winnowed. So being afraid I went and buried your talent in the ground: there you have what belongs to you.' "'You wicked and slothful servant,' replied his master, 'did you know that I reap where I have not sown, and garner what I have not winnowed? Your duty then was to deposit my money in some bank, and so when I came I should have got back my property with interest. So take away the talent from him, and give it to the man who has the ten.' (For to every one who has, more shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but from him who has nothing, even what he has shall be taken away.) But as for this worthless servant, put him out into the darkness outside: *there* will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.'
Come to terms without delay with your opponent while you are yet with him on the way to the court; for fear he should obtain judgement from the magistrate against you, and the magistrate should give you in custody to the officer and you be thrown into prison. I solemnly tell you that you will certainly not be released till you have paid the very last farthing.
And when a hostile movement was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with the sanction of their magistrates, to maltreat and stone them, the Apostles, having become aware of it, made their escape into the Lycaonian towns of Lystra and Derbe, and the neighbouring country. And there they continued to tell the Good News.
But the Pharisees after leaving the synagogue consulted together against Him, how they might destroy Him. Aware of this, Jesus departed elsewhere; and a great number of people followed Him, all of whom He cured. But He gave them strict injunctions not to blaze abroad His doings,
But no sooner had the Pharisees left the synagogue than they held a consultation with the Herodians against Jesus, to devise some means of destroying Him. Accordingly Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the Lake, and a vast crowd of people from Galilee followed Him;
At length the Jews plotted to kill Saul; but information of their intention was given to him. They even watched the gates, day and night, in order to murder him; but his disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a hamper.
Then the Pharisees went and consulted together how they might entrap Him in His conversation. So they sent to Him their disciples together with the Herodians; who said, "Teacher, we know that you are truthful and that you faithfully teach God's truth; and that no fear of man misleads you, for you are not biased by men's wealth or rank. Give us your judgement therefore: is it allowable for us to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?"read more.
Perceiving their wickedness, Jesus replied, "Why are you hypocrites trying to ensnare me? Show me the tribute coin." And they brought Him a shilling. "Whose likeness and inscription," He asked, "is this?" "Caesar's," they replied. "Pay therefore," He rejoined, "what is Caesar's to Caesar; and what is God's to God." They heard this, and were astonished; then left Him, and went their way.
Infuriated at getting this answer, they were disposed to kill the Apostles. But a Pharisee of the name of Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, held in honour by all the people, rose from his seat and requested that they should be sent outside the court for a few minutes. "Israelites," he said, "be careful what you are about to do in dealing with these men.read more.
Years ago Theudas appeared, professing to be a person of importance, and a body of men, some four hundred in number, joined him. He was killed, and all his followers were dispersed and annihilated. After him, at the time of the Census, came Judas, the Galilaean, and was the leader in a revolt. He too perished, and all his followers were scattered. And now I tell you to hold aloof from these men and leave them alone--for if this scheme or work is of human origin, it will come to nothing. But if it is really from God, you will be powerless to put them down--lest perhaps you find yourselves to be actually fighting against God." His advice carried conviction. So they called the Apostles in, and--after flogging them--ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then let them go.
From Thematic Bible
Prudence » The prudent
Prudence » Exemplified by Christ
"And I also have a question to ask *you*," replied Jesus, "and if you answer me, I in turn will tell you by what authority I do these things. John's Baptism, whence was it? --had it a heavenly or a human origin?" So they debated the matter among themselves. "If we say 'a heavenly origin,'" they argued, "he will say, 'Why then did you not believe him?' and if we say 'a human origin' we have the people to fear, for they all hold John to have been a Prophet." read more.
So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." "Nor do I tell you," He replied, "by what authority I do these things."
Then the Pharisees went and consulted together how they might entrap Him in His conversation. So they sent to Him their disciples together with the Herodians; who said, "Teacher, we know that you are truthful and that you faithfully teach God's truth; and that no fear of man misleads you, for you are not biased by men's wealth or rank. Give us your judgement therefore: is it allowable for us to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?" read more.
Perceiving their wickedness, Jesus replied, "Why are you hypocrites trying to ensnare me? Show me the tribute coin." And they brought Him a shilling. "Whose likeness and inscription," He asked, "is this?" "Caesar's," they replied. "Pay therefore," He rejoined, "what is Caesar's to Caesar; and what is God's to God."
Prudence » Instances of » Of jesus
As they were coming down from the mountain, He very strictly forbad them to tell any one what they had seen "until after the Son of Man has risen from among the dead."
Then Jesus charged them to tell no one; but the more He charged them, all the more did they spread the news far and wide.
Then their eyes were opened. And assuming a stern tone Jesus said to them, "Be careful to let no one know."
Prudence » Saints should especially exercise, in their intercourse with unbelievers
"Remember it is I who am sending you out, as sheep into the midst of wolves; prove yourselves as sagacious as serpents, and as innocent as doves.
Behave wisely in relation to the outside world, buying up your opportunities.
Therefore be very careful how you live and act. Let it not be as unwise men, but as wise.
Prudence » Exemplified
Prudence » Instances of » Of jesus » In avoiding his enemies
Therefore the High Priests and the Pharisees held a meeting of the Sanhedrin. "What steps are we taking?" they asked one another; "for this man is performing a great number of miracles. If we leave him alone in this way, everybody will believe in him, and the Romans will come and blot out both our city and our nation." But one of them, named Caiaphas, being High Priest that year, said, "You know nothing about it. read more.
You do not reflect that it is to your interest that one man should die for the people rather than the whole nation perish." It was not as a mere man that he thus spoke. But being High Priest that year he was inspired to declare that Jesus was to die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but in order to unite into one body all the far-scattered children of God. So from that day forward they planned and schemed in order to put Him to death. Therefore Jesus no longer went about openly among the Jews, but He left that neighbourhood and went into the district near the Desert, to a town called Ephraim, and remained there with the disciples.
But the Pharisees after leaving the synagogue consulted together against Him, how they might destroy Him. Aware of this, Jesus departed elsewhere; and a great number of people followed Him, all of whom He cured. But He gave them strict injunctions not to blaze abroad His doings,
Accordingly Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the Lake, and a vast crowd of people from Galilee followed Him;
Prudence » Of the wicked » Defeated by God
For so it stands written, "I will exhibit the nothingness of the wisdom of the wise, and the intelligence of the intelligent I will bring to nought."
Prudence » They who have » Suppress angry feelings, &c
Prudence » Virtuous wives act with
Prudence » Reserve
Prudence » Teachableness
Prudence » Instances of » Paul » Lack of
and with loud lamentation they all threw their arms round his neck, and kissed him lovingly, grieved above all things at his having told them that after that day they were no longer to see his face. And they went with him to the ship.
and during our somewhat lengthy stay a Prophet of the name of Agabus came down from Judaea. When he arrived he took Paul's loincloth, and bound his own feet and arms with it, and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, 'So will the Jews in Jerusalem bind the owner of this loincloth, and will hand him over to the Gentiles.'" As soon as we heard these words, both we and the brethren at Caesarea entreated Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. read more.
His reply was, "What can you mean by thus breaking my heart with your grief? Why, as for me, I am ready not only to go to Jerusalem and be put in chains, but even to die there for the sake of the Lord Jesus." So when he was not to be dissuaded, we ceased remonstrating with him and said, "The Lord's will be done!"
"And now, impelled by a sense of duty, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit, at town after town, testifies to me that imprisonment and suffering are awaiting me. But even the sacrifice of my life I count as nothing, if only I may perfect my earthly course, and be faithful to the duty which the Lord Jesus has entrusted to me of proclaiming, as of supreme importance, the Good News of God's grace. read more.
"And now, I know that none of you among whom I have gone in and out proclaiming the coming of the Kingdom will any longer see my face.
Prudence » Necessity for--illustrated
For the foolish, when they took their torches, did not provide themselves with oil;
"'But perhaps,' replied the wise, 'there will not be enough for all of us. Go to the shops rather, and buy some for yourselves.'
Prudence » Of the wicked » Denounced by God
Prudence » Who is prudent
Prudence » Instances of » Nehemiah, in conduct of affairs at jerusalem
Prudence » Exemplified » The poor wise man
Prudence » Exemplified » Solomon
Prudence » Instances of » Of jesus » In walking "no longer openly,"
Therefore Jesus no longer went about openly among the Jews, but He left that neighbourhood and went into the district near the Desert, to a town called Ephraim, and remained there with the disciples.
In the degree that you have light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light." Jesus said this, and went away and hid Himself from them.
Prudence » Exemplified » Jethro
Prudence » Exemplified » jacob
Prudence » They who have » Not ostentatious of knowledge
Prudence » They who have » Look well to their goings
Prudence » They who have » Crowned with knowledge
Prudence » They who have » Deal with knowledge
Prudence » They who have » Get knowledge
Prudence » Exemplified » David
Prudence » The wise celebrated for
Prudence » Caution
Prudence » Of the wicked » Keeps them from the knowledge of the gospel
About that time Jesus exclaimed, "I heartily praise Thee, Father, Lord of Heaven and of earth, that Thou hast hidden these things from sages and men of discernment, and hast unveiled them to babes.
Prudence » Of the wicked » Fails in times of perplexity
Prudence » They who have » Understand their own ways
Prudence » They who have » Foresee and avoid evil
Prudence » They who have » Are preserved by it
Prudence » They who have » Regard reproof
Prudence » Exemplified » The scribe
So the Scribe said to Him, "Rightly, in very truth, Rabbi, have you said that He stands alone, and there is none but He; and To love Him with all one's heart, with all one's understanding, and with all one's strength, and to love one's fellow man no less than oneself, is far better than all our whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices." Perceiving that the Scribe had answered wisely Jesus said to him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." No one from that time forward ventured to put any question to Him.
Prudence » Exemplified » Joseph
Prudence » What dwells with prudence
Prudence » Exhibited in the manifestation of God's grace
Prudence » Intimately connected with wisdom
Prudence » The young should cultivate
Prudence » Foresight
Prudence » Instances of » The israelites, in the threatened war with the two and one-half tribes
Prudence » Instances of » David, in overthrowing ahithophel's shrewd advice
Prudence » Instances of » Abigail, in averting david's anger
Prudence » Exemplified » Aged counsellors of rehoboam
Prudence » Instances of » Certain elders of israel
Prudence » Exemplified » Gamaliel
But a Pharisee of the name of Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, held in honour by all the people, rose from his seat and requested that they should be sent outside the court for a few minutes. "Israelites," he said, "be careful what you are about to do in dealing with these men. Years ago Theudas appeared, professing to be a person of importance, and a body of men, some four hundred in number, joined him. He was killed, and all his followers were dispersed and annihilated. read more.
After him, at the time of the Census, came Judas, the Galilaean, and was the leader in a revolt. He too perished, and all his followers were scattered. And now I tell you to hold aloof from these men and leave them alone--for if this scheme or work is of human origin, it will come to nothing. But if it is really from God, you will be powerless to put them down--lest perhaps you find yourselves to be actually fighting against God."
Prudence » Exemplified » gideon
Prudence » Instances of » The town clerk of ephesus, in averting a riot
The riot and uproar spread through the whole city, till at last with one accord they rushed into the Theatre, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, two Macedonians who were fellow travellers with Paul. Then Paul would have liked to go in and address the people, but the disciples would not let him do so. A few of the public officials, too, who were friendly to him, sent repeated messages entreating him not to venture into the Theatre. read more.
The people, meanwhile, kept shouting, some one thing and some another; for the assembly was all uproar and confusion, and the greater part had no idea why they had come together. Then some of the people crowded round Alexander, whom the Jews had pushed forward; and Alexander, motioning with his hand to get silence, was prepared to make a defence to the people. No sooner, however, did they see that he was a Jew, than there arose from them all one roar of shouting, lasting about two hours. "Great is the Ephesian Diana," they said. At length the Recorder quieted them down. "Men of Ephesus," he said, "who is there of all mankind that needs to be told that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Diana and of the image which fell down from Zeus? These facts, then, being unquestioned, it becomes you to maintain your self-control and not act recklessly. For you have brought these men here, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess. If, however, Demetrius and the mechanics who support his contention have a grievance against any one, there are Assize-days and there are Proconsuls: let the persons interested accuse one another. But if you desire anything further, it will have to be settled in the regular assembly. For in connexion with to-day's proceedings there is danger of our being charged with attempted insurrection, there having been no real reason for this riot; nor shall we be able to justify the behaviour of this disorderly mob." With these words he dismissed the assembly.
Prudence » Instances of » Jehoram, in suspecting a syrian stratagem
Prudence » Instances of » David, in his conduct toward saul
Prudence » Instances of » Joseph, in the affairs of egypt
Prudence » Instances of » Jethro's advice to moses
Prudence » Instances of » Paul » Paul and silas, in escaping from berea
The brethren at once sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroea, and they, on their arrival, went to the synagogue of the Jews. The Jews at Beroea were of a nobler disposition than those in Thessalonica, for they very readily received the Message, and day after day searched the Scriptures to see whether it was as Paul stated. As the result many of them became believers, and so did not a few of the Greeks--gentlewomen of good position, and men. read more.
As soon, however, as the Jews of Thessalonica learnt that God's Message had been proclaimed by Paul at Beroea, they came there also, and incited the mob to a riot. Then the brethren promptly sent Paul down to the sea-coast, but Silas and Timothy remained behind. Those who were caring for Paul's safety went with him as far as Athens, and then left him, taking a message from him to Silas and Timothy, asking them to join him as speedily as possible.
Prudence » Instances of » Paul » In performing temple rites
And they, when they had heard his statement, gave the glory to God. Then they said, "You see, brother, how many tens of thousands of Jews there are among those who have accepted the faith, and they are all zealous upholders of the Law. Now what they have been repeatedly told about you is that you teach all the Jews among the Gentiles to abandon Moses, and that you forbid them to circumcise their children or observe old-established customs. What then ought you to do? They are sure to hear that you have come to Jerusalem; read more.
so do this which we now tell you. We have four men here who have a vow resting on them. Associate with these men and purify yourself with them, and pay their expenses so that they can shave their heads. Then everybody will know that there is no truth in these stories about you, but that in your own actions you yourself scrupulously obey the Law. But as for the Gentiles who have accepted the faith, we have communicated to them our decision that they are carefully to abstain from anything sacrificed to an idol, from blood, from what is strangled, and from fornication." So Paul associated with the men; and the next day, having purified himself with them, he went into the Temple, giving every one to understand that the days of their purification were finished, and there he remained until the sacrifice for each of them was offered.
Prudence » Those that are prudent in their own sight
Prudence » Saints act with
Prudence » They who have » Understand the ways of God
Prudence » Instances of » Jacob, toward his sons, after dinah's defilement
Prudence » Instances of » Elijah, in his escape from jezebel
Prudence » Instances of » Jacob, in his conduct toward esau
Prudence » Spiritual insight
Prudence » They who have » Keep silence in the evil time
Prudence » Instances of » Saul, in not killing the jabesh-gileadites
Prudence » Exemplified » Sergius paulus
who was a friend of the Proconsul Sergius Paulus. The Proconsul was a man of keen intelligence. He sent for Barnabas and Saul, and asked to be told God's Message.
Prudence » Instances of » Daniel
Prudence » Exemplified » Paul
Noticing, however, that the Sanhedrin consisted partly of Sadducees and partly of Pharisees, he called out loudly among them, "Brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees. It is because of my hope of a resurrection of the dead that I am on my trial."
Prudence » Silence
Prudence » Instances of » Peter, in escaping from herod agrippa i
But he motioned with his hand for silence, and then described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. "Tell all this to James and the brethren," he added. Then he left them, and went to another place.
Prudence » Instances of » Rehoboam's advisers
Prudence » Instances of » Of jesus » Going to the feast secretly
When however His brothers had gone up to the Festival, then He also went up, not openly, but as it were privately.
Prudence » Instances of » Paul » Avoiding suspicion
For against one thing we are on our guard--I mean against blame being thrown upon us in respect to these large and liberal contributions which are under our charge.
Prudence » Instances of » Joseph » Conduct
But Joseph her husband, being a kind-hearted man and unwilling publicly to disgrace her, had determined to release her privately from the betrothal.
Prudence » Instances of » Paul » Paul and barnabas, in escaping persecution
the Apostles, having become aware of it, made their escape into the Lycaonian towns of Lystra and Derbe, and the neighbouring country.
Prudence » Instances of » Paul » In circumcising timothy
and Paul desiring that he should accompany him on his journey, took him and circumcised him on account of the Jews in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
Prudence » Instances of » Paul » In turning the jewish sects against each other
Noticing, however, that the Sanhedrin consisted partly of Sadducees and partly of Pharisees, he called out loudly among them, "Brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees. It is because of my hope of a resurrection of the dead that I am on my trial."