11 Bible Verses about Prudence

but Jesus answered them, I also will ask you one question, which if ye tell me, I will likewise tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves saying, If we say, from heaven, He will reply, Why then did ye not believe him? But if we say, of men, we fear the people, for they all esteem John as a prophet. read more.
And therefore in answer to Jesus, they said, We do not know: and He said unto them, Neither do I tell you, by what authority I do these things.

Then the pharisees went and consulted how they might insnare Him in his discourse. And they send to Him their disciples along with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art a man of truth, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest for any man; for thou regardest not the person of men: Tell us therefore what thou thinkest, Is it lawful to give tribute to Cesar, or not? read more.
But Jesus knew their malice, and said, Why do ye tempt me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute-money. And they brought Him a Roman Penny. And He saith unto them, Whose image and inscription is this? They answered, Cesar's. Then saith He unto them, Render therefore to Cesar the things that are Cesar's; and to God the things that are God's.

And as they came down from the mountain, He charged them to tell no one what they had seen, till after the Son of man were risen from the dead.

And He charged them to tell no one, but the more He charged them, the more they published it:

Then charged He his disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Messiah.

And Jesus strictly charged them, saying, Do not divulge it: but

but He strictly charged them not to make Him known.

Behold I send you forth as sheep into the midst of wolves: be ye therefore prudent as serpents, and innocent as doves.

redeeming the time.

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise men:

Therefore the chief priests and the pharisees held a council and said, What are we doing? for this man worketh many miracles. If we suffer Him to go on thus, all the people will believe on Him, and the Romans will come and destroy both our place and nation. But Caiaphas who was one of them, being high-priest that year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all; read more.
nor do ye consider, that it is better for us that one man should die for the people, than that the whole nation should perish. This however he spake not of himself, but being high-priest at that time he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation: and not for the Jewish nation only, but that he might also gather together the children of God that are dispersed. From that day therefore they consulted together to put Him to death. Wherefore Jesus appeared no longer publicly among the Jews; but went away from thence into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.

But the pharisees went out of the synagogue and took counsel together against Him, how they might destroy Him: but Jesus knew it, and withdrew from thence; and great multitudes followed Him with their sick, and he healed them all, charging them not to make Him known:

but Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea.

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

And they were all much grieved, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him: sorrowing most of all at the word which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.

And as we abode there several days, there came down from Judea a certain prophet named Agabus: and he came to us, and taking up Paul's girdle, and binding his own hands and feet, he said, Thus saith the holy Spirit, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man whose girdle this is, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. And when we heard these things, both we and those of the place intreated him not to go up to Jerusalem. read more.
But Paul answered, What do ye mean, weeping and breaking my heart? for I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. And as he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

And now, being constrained by the spirit, behold I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will befal me there: save that the holy Spirit testifieth in every city, that bonds and afflictions await me. But none of these things move me, nor do I account my life dear, so that I may finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. read more.
And now behold I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

The foolish ones took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

but the wise answered them, saying, Least there should not be enough for us and you, go rather to them that sell it, and buy for yourselves.

Wherefore Jesus appeared no longer publicly among the Jews; but went away from thence into the country near the wilderness, 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. These things spake Jesus, and then went away, and concealed himself from them.

And upon this occasion Jesus opened his mouth and said, "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and knowing, and hast revealed them to babes:

And the scribe said unto Him, Truly, Master, thou hast spoke exceeding well; for there is one God, and there is no other beside Him. And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole-burnt-offerings and sacrifices. And Jesus seeing that he answered discreetly, said to him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no one dared any more to put questions to Him.

wherein He hath abounded towards us with the highest wisdom and prudence;

But a certain pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, held in much esteem by all the people, stood up in the council, and ordered the apostles to be taken out a little while; and then he said unto them, Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves, what ye are about to do, as to these men. For some time ago one Theudas arose, pretending to be some extraordinary person, to whom was joined a number of men, about four hundred: who was slain, and all that followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. read more.
After him arose Judas the Galilean, at the time of the registring, and drew much people after him: but he also perished, and all that followed him were dispersed. And therefore as to the present affair I advise you to refrain from these men and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nothing; but if it be of God, ye cannot defeat it, least ye be found fighting even against God.

And the whole city was filled with confusion: and they rushed with one accord into the theatre, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus two Macedonians, fellow-travellers with Paul. And when Paul would have gone in unto the people, the disciples would not let him. And some also of the chief men of Asia, being his friends, sent to him and desired him not to venture himself into the theatre. read more.
Some therefore cried one thing, and some another; for the assembly was confused, and the greater part did not know for what they were come together. And they brought Alexander forward out of the multitude, the Jews urging him on. And Alexander beckoning with the hand, would have made a defence to the people. But when they knew that he was a Jew, they all cried out with one voice, for near two hours, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And when the Secretary had appeased the multitude, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there who doth not know that the city of the Ephesians is devoted to the service of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? Since therefore these things are incontestible, ye ought to be quiet and composed, and to do nothing rashly. For ye have brought these men hither, who are neither robbers of temples, nor blasphemers of your goddess. If Demetrius therefore, and the artificers that are with him, have a charge against any one, the law-courts are open, and there are Roman proconsuls likewise: let them implead one another. But if ye are enquiring any thing about other matters, let it be decided in a lawful assembly: for we are in danger of being charged with sedition for what has happened this day, there being no cause by which we can give a reason for this concourse. And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.

And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night to Berea: who, when they were come thither, went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more ingenuous than those at Thessalonica; for they received the word with all readiness of mind, searching the scriptures daily, whether these things were so. And therefore many of them believed: and of the Grecian women of quality, and of men likewise not a few. read more.
But when the Jews of Thessalonica knew that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came thither also, to stir up the people. Then the brethren immediately sent away Paul towards the sea: but Silas and Timothy remained there. And they that conducted Paul attended him to Athens: and receiving an order to Silas and Timothy, to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.

And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said to him, Thou seest, brother, how many myriads there are of the believing Jews, and they are all zealous for the law. And they have heard of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews, who are among the Gentiles, to forsake the law of Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children, nor to walk after our customs. What then is to be done? The people must necessarily meet together; for they will hear that thou art come. read more.
Do this therefore, which we advise thee. Here are four men with us, that have a vow upon them: take these and be purified with them, and join in their expences, that they may shave their head: and that all may know, that there is nothing in what they have heard of thee; but thou thyself walkest according to the law. But as to the believing Gentiles, we have written and determined, that they need observe no such thing; only to keep themselves from what is offered to idols, and from blood, and from any thing strangled, and from fornication. Then Paul took the men, and the next day being purified with them entered into the temple to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification till an offering should be offered for every one of them.

Who was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, an understanding man: who calling for Barnabas and Saul, desired to hear the word of God.

But Paul, knowing that the one part were sadducees, and the other pharisees, cried out in the sanhedrim, "Brethren, I am a pharisee, the son of a pharisee: for the hope of a resurrection of the dead I am now prosecuted."

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. And he said, Go, tell these things to James and to the other brethren. And he departed and went to another place.

But when his brethren were gone up, then He also went up to the feast, not in a public manner but as it were in private.

hereby taking care that no one might blame us in the disposal of this large sum which is administered by us:

but Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was inclined to break off the contract with her privately;

being apprised of it they fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the adjacent country:

wherefore Paul was desirous that he should go forth with him, and took and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those parts; for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

But Paul, knowing that the one part were sadducees, and the other pharisees, cried out in the sanhedrim, "Brethren, I am a pharisee, the son of a pharisee: for the hope of a resurrection of the dead I am now prosecuted."