?

A ‣ B ‣ C ‣ D ‣ E ‣ F ‣ G ‣ H ‣ I ‣ J ‣ K ‣ L ‣ M ‣ N ‣ O ‣ P ‣ Q ‣ R ‣ S ‣ T ‣ U ‣ V ‣ W ‣ Y ‣ Z

79 Bible Verses about Wisdom And Folly

Proverbs 31:1-31 ESV / 6 helpful votes

The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him: What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows? Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink, lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted. ...

Ecclesiastes 2:1-26 ESV / 5 helpful votes

I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But behold, this also was vanity. I said of laughter, “It is mad,” and of pleasure, “What use is it?” I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine—my heart still guiding me with wisdom—and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life. I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. ...

Proverbs 2:1-22 ESV / 5 helpful votes

My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. ...

Proverbs 1:20-33 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you. Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, ...

Proverbs 1:7 ESV / 5 helpful votes

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

James 1:5 ESV / 4 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.

Proverbs 24:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

Proverbs 9:10 ESV / 4 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 8:11 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.

Psalm 14:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

To the choirmaster. Of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.

Job 28:28 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”

Colossians 2:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Colossians 1:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

Ephesians 1:17 ESV / 3 helpful votes

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,

Proverbs 19:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Whoever gets sense loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will discover good.

Proverbs 16:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

Proverbs 14:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes

The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving.

Proverbs 13:20 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

Proverbs 9:1-18 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks sense she says, “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. ...

Proverbs 2:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 1:1-33 ESV / 3 helpful votes

The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth— Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, ...

James 3:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

Colossians 3:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Ephesians 1:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight

1 Corinthians 3:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,”

1 Corinthians 1:30 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,

1 Corinthians 1:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Romans 12:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

Romans 11:33 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

John 14:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Daniel 2:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king's matter.”

Daniel 2:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;

Daniel 2:1-49 ESV / 2 helpful votes

In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his spirit was troubled, and his sleep left him. Then the king commanded that the magicians, the enchanters, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans be summoned to tell the king his dreams. So they came in and stood before the king. And the king said to them, “I had a dream, and my spirit is troubled to know the dream.” Then the Chaldeans said to the king in Aramaic, “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.” The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, “The word from me is firm: if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you shall be torn limb from limb, and your houses shall be laid in ruins. ...

Ecclesiastes 12:13 ESV / 2 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.

Ecclesiastes 9:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.

Ecclesiastes 7:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

All this I have tested by wisdom. I said, “I will be wise,” but it was far from me.

Ecclesiastes 7:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself?

Ecclesiastes 7:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Wisdom is good with an inheritance, an advantage to those who see the sun.

Ecclesiastes 7:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools.

Ecclesiastes 2:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Then I saw that there is more gain in wisdom than in folly, as there is more gain in light than in darkness.

Ecclesiastes 1:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind.

Ecclesiastes 1:1-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. The sun rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises. ...

Proverbs 28:26 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

Proverbs 23:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

Proverbs 23:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your words.

Proverbs 22:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.

Proverbs 19:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

Proverbs 18:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.

Proverbs 17:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

Proverbs 17:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he has no sense?

Proverbs 17:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers.

Proverbs 14:29 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

Proverbs 14:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Fools mock at the guilt offering, but the upright enjoy acceptance.

Proverbs 14:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.

Proverbs 12:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.

Proverbs 11:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.

Proverbs 10:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.

Proverbs 10:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense.

Proverbs 9:13-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows nothing. She sits at the door of her house; she takes a seat on the highest places of the town, calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” And to him who lacks sense she says, “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” ...

Proverbs 9:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

Proverbs 9:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight.”

Proverbs 9:1-6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks sense she says, “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. ...

Proverbs 8:1-36 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud: “To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man. O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense. ...

Proverbs 7:1-27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call insight your intimate friend, to keep you from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words. ...

Proverbs 4:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.

Proverbs 3:13-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. ...

Proverbs 3:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 3:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Proverbs 2:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,

Proverbs 1:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?

Psalm 119:98 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.

Psalm 111:10 ESV / 2 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!

Psalm 90:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 2 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. ...

Psalm 19:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;

Psalm 14:1-7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

To the choirmaster. Of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good. The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one. Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread and do not call upon the Lord? There they are in great terror, for God is with the generation of the righteous. ...

Job 28:12-28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living. The deep says, ‘It is not in me,’ and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’ It cannot be bought for gold, and silver cannot be weighed as its price. It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire. ...

1 Kings 11:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

He had 700 wives, who were princesses, and 300 concubines. And his wives turned away his heart.

1 Kings 3:5-9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”

Suggest a Verse


Visit the Bible online to search for words if you don’t know the specific passage your’re looking for.