'Wisdom' in the Bible

To know [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction;To discern and comprehend the words of understanding and insight,

The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence];But arrogant fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline.

Wisdom shouts in the street,She raises her voice in the markets;

“If you will turn and pay attention to my rebuke,Behold, I [Wisdom] will pour out my spirit on you;I will make my words known to you.

“Then they will call upon me (Wisdom), but I will not answer;They will seek me eagerly but they will not find me,

“But whoever listens to me (Wisdom) will live securely and in confident trustAnd will be at ease, without fear or dread of evil.”

So that your ear is attentive to [skillful and godly] wisdom,And apply your heart to understanding [seeking it conscientiously and striving for it eagerly];

If you seek skillful and godly wisdom as you would silverAnd search for her as you would hidden treasures;

For the Lord gives [skillful and godly] wisdom;From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

He stores away sound wisdom for the righteous [those who are in right standing with Him];He is a shield to those who walk in integrity [those of honorable character and moral courage],

For [skillful and godly] wisdom will enter your heartAnd knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

Happy [blessed, considered fortunate, to be admired] is the man who finds [skillful and godly] wisdom,And the man who gains understanding and insight [learning from God’s word and life’s experiences],

She is more precious than rubies;And nothing you can wish for compares with her [in value].

The Lord by His wisdom has founded the earth;By His understanding He has established the heavens.

My son, let them not escape from your sight,But keep sound wisdom and discretion,

“Get [skillful and godly] wisdom! Acquire understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation]!Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.

“Do not turn away from her (Wisdom) and she will guard and protect you;Love her, and she will watch over you.

“The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]!And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation].

“Prize wisdom [and exalt her], and she will exalt you;She will honor you if you embrace her.

I have instructed you in the way of [skillful and godly] wisdom;I have led you in upright paths.

My son, be attentive to my wisdom [godly wisdom learned by costly experience],Incline your ear to my understanding;

Say to [skillful and godly] wisdom, “You are my sister,”And regard understanding and intelligent insight as your intimate friends;

Does not wisdom call,And understanding lift up her voice?

On the top of the heights beside the way,Where the paths meet, wisdom takes her stand;

“For wisdom is better than rubies;And all desirable things cannot compare with her.

“I, [godly] wisdom, reside with prudence [good judgment, moral courage and astute common sense],And I find knowledge and discretion.

“I, [Wisdom, continuously] walk in the way of righteousness,In the midst of the paths of justice,

“The Lord created and possessed me at the beginning of His way,Before His works of old [were accomplished].

“From everlasting I was established and ordained,From the beginning, before the earth existed, [I, godly wisdom, existed].

“When He established the heavens, I [Wisdom] was there;When He drew a circle upon the face of the deep,

Then I was beside Him, as a master craftsman;And I was daily His delight;Rejoicing before Him always,

“For whoever finds me (Wisdom) finds lifeAnd obtains favor and grace from the Lord.

Wisdom has built her [spacious and sufficient] house;She has hewn out and set up her seven pillars.

“Whoever is naive or inexperienced, let him turn in here!”As for him who lacks understanding, she says,

The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of wisdom [its starting point and its essence],And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding and spiritual insight.

For by me (wisdom from God) your days will be multiplied,And years of life shall be increased.

On the lips of the discerning, [skillful and godly] wisdom is found,But discipline and the rod are for the back of the one who is without common sense and understanding.

Engaging in evil is like sport to the fool [who refuses wisdom and chases sin],But to a man of understanding [skillful and godly] wisdom brings joy.

The mouth of the righteous flows with [skillful and godly] wisdom,But the perverted tongue will be cut out.

When pride comes [boiling up with an arrogant attitude of self-importance], then come dishonor and shame,But with the humble [the teachable who have been chiseled by trial and who have learned to walk humbly with God] there is wisdom and soundness of mind.

A man will be commended according to his insight and sound judgment,But the one who is of a perverse mind will be despised.

Through pride and presumption come nothing but strife,But [skillful and godly] wisdom is with those who welcome [well-advised] counsel.

A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none [for his ears are closed to wisdom],But knowledge is easy for one who understands [because he is willing to learn].

The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way,But the foolishness of [shortsighted] fools is deceit.

The crown of the wise is their wealth [of wisdom],But the foolishness of [closed-minded] fools is [nothing but] folly.

Wisdom rests [silently] in the heart of one who has understanding,But what is in the heart of [shortsighted] fools is made known.

The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the instruction for wisdom [its starting point and its essence];And before honor comes humility.

How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.

Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom,When he has no common sense or even a heart for it?

[Skillful and godly] wisdom is in the presence of a person of understanding [and he recognizes it],But the eyes of a [thickheaded] fool are on the ends of the earth.

The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters [copious and difficult to fathom];The fountain of [mature, godly] wisdom is like a bubbling stream [sparkling, fresh, pure, and life-giving].

He who gains wisdom and good sense loves (preserves) his own soul;He who keeps understanding will find good and prosper.

The glory of young men is their [physical] strength,And the honor of aged men is their gray head [representing wisdom and experience].

When the scoffer is punished, the naive [observes the lesson and] becomes wise;But when the wise and teachable person is instructed, he receives knowledge.

There is no [human] wisdom or understandingOr counsel [that can prevail] against the Lord.

Do not weary yourself [with the overwhelming desire] to gain wealth;Cease from your own understanding of it.

Do not speak in the ears of a fool,For he will despise the [godly] wisdom of your words.

Through [skillful and godly] wisdom a house [a life, a home, a family] is built,And by understanding it is established [on a sound and good foundation],

Wisdom is too exalted for a [hardened, arrogant] fool;He does not open his mouth in the gate [where the city’s rulers sit in judgment].

Know that [skillful and godly] wisdom is [so very good] for your life and soul;If you find wisdom, then there will be a future and a reward,And your hope and expectation will not be cut off.

He who trusts confidently in his own heart is a [dull, thickheaded] fool,But he who walks in [skillful and godly] wisdom will be rescued.

A man who loves [skillful and godly] wisdom makes his father joyful,But he who associates with prostitutes wastes his wealth.

The rod and reproof (godly instruction) give wisdom,But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.

I have not learned [skillful and godly] wisdom,Nor do I have knowledge of the Holy One [who is the source of wisdom].

She opens her mouth in [skillful and godly] wisdom,And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue [giving counsel and instruction].