What Does the Bible Say About Asking For Wisdom?

James 1:5 ESV / 57 helpful votes

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

James 1:5-7 ESV / 39 helpful votes

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;

James 1:1-27 ESV / 31 helpful votes

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ...

Proverbs 2:6 ESV / 31 helpful votes

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

James 2:1-26 ESV / 26 helpful votes

My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? ...

Psalm 111:10 ESV / 16 helpful votes

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

Proverbs 3:13 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding,

Hebrews 11:6 ESV / 14 helpful votes

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Mark 11:24 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

James 1:2 ESV / 13 helpful votes

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

John 10:10 ESV / 13 helpful votes

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Isaiah 43:2 ESV / 13 helpful votes

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

Romans 10:17 ESV / 11 helpful votes

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

1 Kings 3:1-28 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Solomon made a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt. He took Pharaoh's daughter and brought her into the city of David until he had finished building his own house and the house of the Lord and the wall around Jerusalem. The people were sacrificing at the high places, however, because no house had yet been built for the name of the Lord. Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places. And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” ...

1 John 5:15 ESV / 10 helpful votes

And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

Romans 8:32 ESV / 9 helpful votes

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

James 1:17 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Ephesians 3:12 ESV / 8 helpful votes

In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.

Proverbs 11:14 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

1 Peter 4:1-19 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. ...

John 15:7 ESV / 7 helpful votes

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Mark 9:24 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

Proverbs 9:10 ESV / 7 helpful votes

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

Psalm 18:16 ESV / 7 helpful votes

He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters.

1 Timothy 6:17 ESV / 6 helpful votes

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.

1 Peter 3:15 ESV / 5 helpful votes

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

Ephesians 2:18 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

John 3:16 ESV / 5 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Matthew 7:24-27 ESV / 5 helpful votes

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

James 5:16 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

James 5:1-20 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. ...

Hebrews 13:1-25 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” ...

Ephesians 1:1-23 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, ...

Romans 8:28 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Acts 7:1-60 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And the high priest said, “Are these things so?” And Stephen said: “Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, and said to him, ‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.’ Then he went out from the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran. And after his father died, God removed him from there into this land in which you are now living. Yet he gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot's length, but promised to give it to him as a possession and to his offspring after him, though he had no child. ...

Ecclesiastes 12:13 ESV / 4 helpful votes

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 4 helpful votes

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...

John 17:1-26 ESV / 3 helpful votes

When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. ...

Romans 3:1-9:33 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.” But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) ...

Matthew 19:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

40 Bible Verses about Asking For Wisdom

James 1:5 ESV / 57 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:5-7 ESV / 39 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:1-27 ESV / 31 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 2:6 ESV / 31 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 2:1-26 ESV / 26 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 111:10 ESV / 16 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 3:13 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 11:6 ESV / 14 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 11:24 ESV / 14 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:2 ESV / 13 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 10:10 ESV / 13 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 43:2 ESV / 13 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 10:17 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Kings 3:1-28 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 5:15 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 8:32 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:17 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 3:12 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 11:14 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 4:1-19 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 15:7 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 9:24 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 9:10 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 18:16 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 6:17 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 3:15 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 2:18 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 7:24-27 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 5:16 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 5:1-20 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 13:1-25 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 1:1-23 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 8:28 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 7:1-60 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 12:13 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 17:1-26 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 3:1-9:33 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 19:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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