'Wise' in the Bible

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, in the time of King Herod, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem

Then Herod privately summoned the wise men and determined from them when the star had appeared.

When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he became enraged. He sent men to kill all the children in Bethlehem and throughout the surrounding region from the age of two and under, according to the time he had learned from the wise men.

"Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them is like a wise man who built his house on rock.

"I am sending you out like sheep surrounded by wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and revealed them to little children.

"For this reason I am sending you prophets and wise men and experts in the law, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town,

"Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom the master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their food at the proper time?

Five of the virgins were foolish, and five were wise.

But the wise ones took flasks of olive oil with their lamps.

The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.'

On that same occasion Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your gracious will.

The Lord replied, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his household servants, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time?

I am a debtor both to the Greeks and to the barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.

Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools

Your obedience is known to all and thus I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.

to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be glory forever! Amen.

For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will thwart the cleverness of the intelligent."

Where is the wise man? Where is the expert in the Mosaic law? Where is the debater of this age? Has God not made the wisdom of the world foolish?

Think about the circumstances of your call, brothers and sisters. Not many were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were born to a privileged position.

But God chose what the world thinks foolish to shame the wise, and God chose what the world thinks weak to shame the strong.

Guard against self-deception, each of you. If someone among you thinks he is wise in this age, let him become foolish so that he can become wise.

For the wisdom of this age is foolishness with God. As it is written, "He catches the wise in their craftiness."

And again, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile."

We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, we are dishonored!

I say this to your shame! Is there no one among you wise enough to settle disputes between fellow Christians?

For since you are so wise, you put up with fools gladly.

Therefore be very careful how you live -- not as unwise but as wise,

For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord's will is.

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings.