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It is just as I told
Pharaoh: God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. Seven
years of great abundance are now coming throughout the land of
Egypt; but these will be followed by seven years of famine, when
all the abundance in the land of Egypt will be forgotten. When the
famine has ravaged the land, no trace of the abundance will be
found in the land because of the famine that follows it - so
utterly severe will that famine be. That Pharaoh had the same
dream twice means that the matter has been reaffirmed by God and
that God will soon bring it about. "Therefore, let Pharaoh
seek out a wise and discerning man and put him in charge of the
land of Egypt. Pharaoh should also take action to appoint
overseers, so as to regiment the land during the seven years of
abundance. They should husband all the food of the coming good
years, collecting the grain under Pharaoh's authority, to be
stored in the towns for food. This food will serve as a reserve
for the country against the seven years of famine that are to
follow in the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish in
the famine." This advice pleased Pharaoh and all his
officials. "Could we find another like him," Pharaoh
asked his officials, "a man so endowed with the spirit of
God?" So Pharaoh said to Joseph: "Since God has made all
this known to you, no one can be as wise and discerning as you
are. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people shall
dart at your command. Only in respect to the throne shall I
outrank you." [GEN 41:28-40]
The next day Moses sat in judgment for the people, who waited
about him from morning until evening. When his father-in-law saw
all that he was doing for the people, he inquired, "What sort
of thing is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit
alone while all the people have to stand about you from morning
till evening?" Moses answered his father-in-law, "The
people come to me to consult God. Whenever they have a
disagreement, they come to me to have me settle the matter between
them and make known to them God's decisions and regulations."
"You are not acting wisely," his father-in-law replied.
"You will surely wear yourself out, and not only yourself but
also these people with you. The task is too heavy for you; you
cannot do it alone. Now, listen to me, and I will give you some
advice, that God may be with you. Act as the people's
representative before God, bringing to him whatever they have to
say. Enlighten them in regard to the decisions and regulations,
showing them how they are to live and what they are to do. But you
should also look among all the people for able and God-fearing
men, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain, and set them as
officers over groups of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of
tens. Let these men render decisions for the people in all
ordinary cases. More important cases they should refer to you, but
all the lesser cases they can settle themselves. Thus, your burden
will be lightened, since they will bear it with you. If you do
this, when God gives you orders you will be able to stand the
strain, and all these people will go home satisfied." Moses
followed the advice of his father-in-law and did all that he had
suggested. [EX 18:13-24]
"At that time I said to you, 'Alone, I am unable to carry
you. The LORD, your God, has so multiplied you that you are now as
numerous as the stars in the sky. May the LORD, the God of your
fathers, increase you a thousand times over, and bless you as he
promised! But how can I alone bear the crushing burden that you
are, along with your bickering? Choose wise, intelligent and
experienced men from each of your tribes, that I may appoint them
as your leaders.' You answered me, 'We agree to do as you have
proposed.' So I took outstanding men of your tribes, wise and
experienced, and made them your leaders as officials over
thousands, over hundreds, over fifties and over tens, and other
tribal officers. I charged your judges at that time, 'Listen to
complaints among your kinsmen, and administer true justice to both
parties even if one of them is an alien. In rendering judgment, do
not consider who a person is; give ear to the lowly and to the
great alike, fearing no man, for judgment is God's. Refer to me
any case that is too hard for you and I will hear it.' Thereupon I
gave you all the commands you were to fulfill."
[DEUT 1:9-18]
Therefore, I teach you the statutes and decrees as the LORD, my
God, has commanded me, that you may observe them in the land you
are entering to occupy. Observe them carefully, for thus will you
give evidence of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations, who
will hear of all these statutes and say, 'This great nation is
truly a wise and intelligent people.' [DEUT 4:5-6]
You shall not distort justice; you must be impartial. You shall
not take a bribe; for a bribe blinds the eyes even of the wise and
twists the words even of the just. [DEUT 16:19]
The LORD was pleased that Solomon made this request. So God
said to him: "Because you have asked for this - not for a
long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your
enemies, but for understanding so that you may know what is right
- I do as you requested. I give you a heart so wise and
understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now,
and after you there will come no one to equal you. In addition, I
give you what you have not asked for, such riches and glory that
among kings there is not your like. And if you follow me by
keeping my statutes and commandments, as your father David did, I
will give you a long life." [1KGS 3:10-14]
Solomon surpassed all the Cedemites and all the Egyptians in
wisdom. He was wiser than all other men - than Ethan the Ezrahite,
or Heman, Chalcol, and Darda, the musicians - and his fame spread
throughout the neighboring nations. [1KGS 5:10-11]
When he had heard the words of Solomon, Hiram was pleased and
said, "Blessed be the LORD this day, who has given David a
wise son to rule this numerous people." [1KGS 5:21]
Huram, king of Tyre, wrote an answer which he sent to Solomon:
"Because the LORD loves his people, he has placed you over
them as king." He added: "Blessed be the LORD, the God
of Israel, who made heaven and earth, for having given King David
a wise son of intelligence and understanding, who will build a
house for the LORD and also a house for his royal estate." [2CHRON
2:10-11]
"Seek counsel from every wise man, and do not think
lightly of any advice that can be useful." [TOBIT 4:18]
They marveled at her beauty, regarding the Israelites with
wonder because of her, and they said to one another, "Who can
despise this people that has such women among them? It is not wise
to leave one man of them alive, for if any were to be spared they
could beguile the whole world." [JDTH 10:19]
Her words pleased Holofernes and all his servants; they marveled at her wisdom and exclaimed, "No other woman from one end of the world to the other looks so beautiful and speaks so wisely!"
[JDTH 11:20-21]
"Here is your brother Simeon who I know is a wise man;
listen to him always, and he will be a father to you." [1MACC 2:65]
He gives rain upon the earth and sends water upon the fields;
He sets up on high the lowly, and those who mourn he exalts to
safety. He frustrates the plans of the cunning, so that their
hands achieve no success; He catches the wise in their own ruses,
and the designs of the crafty are routed. They meet with darkness
in the daytime, and at noonday they grope as though it were night. [JOB
5:10-14]
God is wise in heart and mighty in strength; who has withstood
him and remained unscathed? [JOB 9:4]
But turn now, and come on again; for I shall not find a wise
man among you! [JOB 17:10]
Days should speak, I thought, and many years teach wisdom! But it is a spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him
understanding. It is not those of many days who are wise, nor the aged who understand the right.
[JOB 32:7-9]
The Almighty! we cannot discover him, pre-eminent in power and judgment; his great justice owes no one an accounting. Therefore men revere him, though none can see him, however wise their hearts.
[JOB 37:23-24]
Fools say in their hearts, "There is no God." Their
deeds are loathsome and corrupt; not one does what is right. The
LORD looks down from heaven upon the human race, To see if even
one is wise, if even one seeks God. All have gone astray; all
alike are perverse. Not one does what is right, not even one. [PS
14:1-3]
The LORD foils the plan of nations, frustrates the designs of
peoples. But the plan of the LORD stands forever, wise designs
through all generations. Happy the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people chosen as his very own. [PS 33:10-12]
Sin directs the heart of the wicked; their eyes are closed to
the fear of God. For they live with the delusion: their guilt will
not be known and hated. Empty and false are the words of their
mouth; they have ceased to be wise and do good. In their beds they
hatch plots; they set out on a wicked way; they do not reject
evil. [PS 36:2-5]
Anyone can see that the wisest die, the fool and the senseless
pass away too, and must leave their wealth to others. [PS 49:11]
God looks down from heaven upon the human race, To see if even
one is wise, if even one seeks God. [PS 53:3]
They say, "The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob takes
no notice." Understand, you stupid people! You fools, when
will you be wise? Does the one who shaped the ear not hear? The
one who formed the eye not see? Does the one who guides nations
not rebuke? The one who teaches humans not have knowledge? The
LORD does know human plans; they are only puffs of air. [PS 94:7-11]
But he poured out contempt on princes, made them wander the
trackless wastes, Where they were diminished and brought low
through misery and cruel oppression, While the poor were released
from their affliction; their families increased like their flocks.
The upright saw this and rejoiced; all wickedness shut its mouth.
Whoever is wise will take note of these things, will ponder the
merciful deeds of the LORD. [PS 107:40-43]
Hallelujah. I will praise the LORD with all my heart in the
assembled congregation of the upright. Great are the works of the
LORD, to be treasured for all their delights. Majestic and
glorious is your work, your wise design endures forever. You won
renown for your wondrous deeds; gracious and merciful is the LORD.
[PS 111:1-4]
How I love your teaching, Lord! I study it all day long. Your
command makes me wiser than my foes, for it is always with me. I
have more understanding than all my teachers, because I ponder
your decrees. I have more insight than my elders, because I
observe your precepts. I keep my steps from every evil path, that
I may obey your word. [PS 119:97-101]
The Proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel: That
men may appreciate wisdom and discipline, may understand words of
intelligence; May receive training in wise conduct, in what is
right, just and honest; That resourcefulness may be imparted to
the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man
by hearing them will advance in learning, an intelligent man will
gain sound guidance, That he may comprehend proverb and parable,
the words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the LORD is
the beginning of knowledge; wisdom and instruction fools despise.
[PROV 1:1-7]
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence
rely not; In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make
straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes, fear the LORD
and turn away from evil; This will mean health for your flesh and
vigor for your bones. [PROV 3:5-8]
Honor is the possession of wise men, but fools inherit shame.
[PROV
3:35]
Reprove not an arrogant man, lest he hate you; reprove a wise
man, and he will love you. [PROV 9:8]
Instruct a wise man, and he becomes still wiser; teach a just
man, and he advances in learning. [PROV 9:9]
If you are wise, it is to your own advantage; and if you are
arrogant, you alone shall bear it. [PROV 9:12]
A wise son makes his father glad, but
a foolish son is a grief to his mother. [PROV 10:1]
A wise man heeds commands, but a prating fool will be
overthrown. [PROV 10:8]
Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool is
imminent ruin. [PROV 10:14]
He who upsets his household has empty air for a heritage; and
the fool will become slave to the wise man. [PROV 11:29]
The way of the fool seems right in his own eyes, but he who
listens to advice is wise. [PROV 12:15]
The prating of some men is like sword thrusts, but the tongue
of the wise is healing. [PROV 12:18]
A wise son loves correction, but the senseless one heeds no
rebuke. [PROV 13:1]
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that a man may
avoid the snares of death. [PROV 13:14]
Walk with wise men and you will become wise, but the companion
of fools will fare badly. [PROV 13:20]
In the mouth of the fool is a rod for his back, but the lips of
the wise preserve them. [PROV 14:3]
The wise man is cautious and shuns evil; the fool is reckless
and sure of himself. [PROV 14:16]
The crown of the wise is resourcefulness; the diadem of fools
is folly. [PROV 14:24]
The tongue of the wise pours out knowledge, but the mouth of
fools spurts forth folly. [PROV 15:2]
The lips of the wise disseminate knowledge, but the heart of
fools is perverted. [PROV 15:7]
The senseless man loves not to be reproved; to wise men he will
not go. [PROV 15:12]
A wise son makes his father glad, but a fool of a man despises
his mother. [PROV 15:20]
He who listens to salutary reproof will abide among the wise. [PROV
15:31]
The king's wrath is like messengers of death, but a wise man
can pacify it. [PROV 16:14]
The wise man is esteemed for his discernment, yet pleasing
speech increases his persuasiveness. [PROV 16:21]
The mind of the wise man makes him eloquent, and augments the
persuasiveness of his lips. [PROV 16:23]
He who spares his words is truly wise, and he who is chary of
speech is a man of intelligence. [PROV 17:27]
Even a fool, if he keeps silent, is considered wise; if he
closes his lips, intelligent. [PROV 17:28]
The mind of the intelligent gains knowledge, and the ear of the
wise seeks knowledge. [PROV 18:15]
Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may
eventually become wise. [PROV 19:20]
Wine is arrogant, strong drink is riotous; none who goes astray
for it is wise. [PROV 20:1]
Like gold or a wealth of corals, wise lips are a precious
ornament. [PROV 20:15]
Plans made after advice succeed; so with wise guidance wage
your war. [PROV 20:18]
A wise king winnows the wicked, and threshes them under the
cartwheel. [PROV 20:26]
When the arrogant man is punished, the simple are the wiser;
when the wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge. [PROV 21:11]
Precious treasure remains in the house of the wise, but the
fool consumes it. [PROV 21:20]
The wise man storms a city of the mighty, and overthrows the
stronghold in which it trusts. [PROV 21:22]
The sayings of the wise: Incline your ear, and hear my words,
and apply your heart to my doctrine; For it will be well if you
keep them in your bosom, if they all are ready on your lips. [PROV
22:17-18]
My son, if your heart be wise, my own heart also will rejoice;
And my inmost being will exult, when your lips speak what is
right. Let not your heart emulate sinners, but be zealous for the
fear of the LORD always; For you will surely have a future, and
your hope will not be cut off. [PROV 23:15-18]
Hear, my son, and be wise, and guide your heart in the right
way. [PROV 23:19]
The father of a just man will exult with glee; he who begets a
wise son will have joy in him. [PROV 23:24]
A wise man is more powerful than a strong man, and a man of
knowledge than a man of might; For it is by wise guidance that you wage your war, and the
victory is due to a wealth of counselors. [PROV 24:5-6]
These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in
judgment is not good. [PROV 24:23]
Like a golden earring, or a necklace of fine gold, is a wise
reprover to an obedient ear. [PROV 25:12]
Answer the fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in
his own eyes. [PROV 26:5]
You see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a
fool than for him. [PROV 26:12]
The sluggard imagines himself wiser than seven men who answer
with good sense. [PROV 26:16]
If you are wise, my son, you will gladden my heart, and I will
be able to rebut him who taunts me. [PROV 27:11]
He who keeps the law is a wise son, but the gluttons' companion
disgraces his father. [PROV 28:7]
The rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who is
intelligent sees through him. [PROV 28:11]
Arrogant men set the city ablaze, but wise men calm the fury. [PROV
29:8]
If a wise man disputes with a fool, he may rage or laugh but
can have no peace. [PROV 29:9]
The fool gives vent to all his anger; but by biding his time,
the wise man calms it. [PROV 29:11]
Four things are among the smallest on the earth, and yet are
exceedingly wise: Ants - a species not strong, yet they store up
their food in the summer; Rock-badgers - a species not mighty, yet
they make their home in the crags; Locusts - they have no king,
yet they migrate all in array; Lizards - you can catch them with
your hands, yet they find their way into king's palaces. [PROV
30:24-28]
And I detested all the fruits of my labor under the sun, because I must leave them to a man who is to come after me. And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the fruits of my wise labor under the sun. This also is vanity.
[ECCL 2:18-19]
Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows caution; for from a prison house one comes forth to rule, since even in his royalty he was poor at birth.
[ECCL 4:13-14]
It is better to go to the house of mourning than to the house
of feasting, For that is the end of every man, and the living
should take it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, because
when the face is sad the heart grows wiser. The heart of the wise
is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the
house of mirth. [ECCL 7:2-4]
It is better to hearken to the wise man's rebuke than to hearken to the song of fools;
For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the fool's laughter.
[ECCL 7:5-6]
For oppression can make a fool of a wise man, and a bribe
corrupts the heart. [ECCL 7:7]
I have seen all manner of things in my vain days: a just man perishing in his justice, and a wicked one surviving in his wickedness.
"Be not just to excess, and be not overwise, lest you be ruined."
[ECCL 7:15-16]
Wisdom is a better defense for the wise man than would be ten princes in the city, yet there is no man on earth so just as to do good and never sin.
[ECCL 7:19-20]
Who is like the wise man, and who knows the explanation of
things? A man's wisdom illumines his face, but an impudent look is
resented. [ECCL 8:1]
"He who keeps the commandment experiences no evil, and the
wise man's heart knows times and judgments; for there is a time
and a judgment for everything." - Yet it is a great
affliction for man that he is ignorant of what is to come; for who
will make known to him how it will be? [ECCL 8:5-7]
I recognized that man is unable to find out all God's work that
is done under the sun, even though neither by day nor by night do
his eyes find rest in sleep. However much man toils in searching,
he does not find it out; and even if the wise man says that he
knows, he is unable to find it out. [ECCL 8:17]
On the other hand I saw this wise deed under the sun, which I
thought sublime. Against a small city with few men in it advanced
a mighty king, who surrounded it and threw up great siegeworks
about it. But in the city lived a man who, though poor, was wise,
and he delivered it through his wisdom. Yet no one remembered this
poor man. Though I had said, "Wisdom is better than
force," yet the wisdom of the poor man is despised and his
words go unheeded. "The quiet words of the wise are better
heeded than the shout of a ruler of fools"... "A fly
that dies can spoil the perfumer's ointment, and a single slip can
ruin much that is good." [ECCL 9:13-18]
The wise man's understanding turns him to his right; the fool's understanding turns him to his left. When the fool walks through
the street, in his lack of understanding he calls everything foolish.
[ECCL 10:2-3]
Words from the wise man's mouth win favor, but the fool's lips
consume him. [ECCL 10:12]
Besides being wise, Qoheleth taught the people knowledge, and
weighed, scrutinized and arranged many proverbs. [ECCL 12:9]
Yes, the just man dead condemns the sinful who live, and youth
swiftly completed condemns the many years of the wicked man grown
old. For they see the death of the wise man and do not understand
what the LORD intended for him, or why he made him secure. They
see, and hold him in contempt; but the LORD laughs them to scorn. [WISDOM
4:16-18]
A great number of wise men is the safety of the world, and a prudent king, the stability of his people; so take instruction from my words, to your profit.
[WISDOM 6:24-25]
Now God grant I speak suitably and value these endowments at their worth:
For he is the guide of Wisdom and the director of the wise. For both we and our words are in his hand, as well as all prudence and knowledge of crafts.
[WISDOM 7:15-16]
To whom has wisdom's root been revealed? Who knows her
subtleties? There is but one, wise and truly awe-inspiring, seated
upon his throne: It is the LORD; he created her, has seen her and
taken note of her. He has poured her forth upon all his works,
upon every living thing according to his bounty; he has lavished
her upon his friends. [SIRACH 1:5-8]
The mind of a sage appreciates proverbs, and an attentive ear
is the wise man's joy. [SIRACH 3:28]
If you are willing to listen, you will learn; if you give heed,
you will be wise. [SIRACH 6:33]
Frequent the company of the elders; whoever is wise, stay close
to him. [SIRACH 6:34]
Be eager to hear every godly discourse; let no wise saying
escape you. [SIRACH 6:35]
Let a wise servant be dear to you as your own self; refuse him
not his freedom. [SIRACH 7:21]
Spurn not the discourse of the wise, but acquaint yourself with
their proverbs; From them you will acquire the training to serve
in the presence of princes. [SIRACH 8:8]
As best you can, take your neighbors' measure, and associate
with the wise. [SIRACH 9:14]
A wise magistrate lends stability to his people, and the
government of a prudent man is well ordered. [SIRACH 10:1]
It is not just to despise a man who is wise but poor, nor
proper to honor any sinner. [SIRACH 10:22]
Many are the supporters for a rich man when he speaks; though
what he says is odious, it wins approval. When a poor man speaks
they make sport of him; he speaks wisely and no attention is paid
him. [SIRACH 13:21]
Unseemly is praise on a sinner's lips, for it is not accorded
to him by God. But praise is offered by the wise man's tongue; its
rightful steward will proclaim it. [SIRACH 15:9-10]
Through one wise man can a city be peopled; through a clan of
rebels it becomes desolate. [SIRACH 16:4]
A wise man is circumspect in all things; when sin is rife he
keeps himself from wrongdoing. [SIRACH 18:27]
One can tell a man by his appearance; a wise man is known as
such when first met. [SIRACH 19:25]
An admonition can be inopportune, and a man may be wise to hold
his peace. [SIRACH 20:1]
One man is silent and is thought wise, another is talkative and
is disliked. [SIRACH 20:4]
A wise man is silent till the right time comes, but a boasting
fool ignores the proper time. [SIRACH 20:6]
A wise man makes himself popular by a few words, but fools pour
forth their blandishments in vain. [SIRACH 20:12]
A wise man advances himself by his words, a prudent man pleases
the great. [SIRACH 20:26]
Widely known is the boastful speaker but the wise man knows his
own faults. [SIRACH 21:7]
A wise man's knowledge wells up in a flood, and his counsel, like a living spring; A fool's mind is like a broken
jar - no knowledge at all can it hold. [SIRACH 21:13-14]
A fool's chatter is like a load on a journey, but there is
charm to be found upon the lips of the wise. [SIRACH 21:16]
Like a chain of gold is learning to a wise man, like a bracelet
on his right arm. [SIRACH 21:21]
Fools' thoughts are in their mouths, wise men's words are in
their hearts. [SIRACH 21:26]
Ever wise are the discourses of the devout, but the godless
man, like the moon, is inconstant. [SIRACH 27:11]
Be brief, but say much in those few words, be like the wise
man, taciturn. [SIRACH 32:8]
A man may be wise and benefit many, yet be of no use to
himself. [SIRACH 37:19]
Though a man may be wise, if his words are rejected he will be
deprived of all enjoyment. [SIRACH 37:20]
When a man is wise to his own advantage, the fruits of his
knowledge are seen in his own person; When a man is wise to his people's advantage, the fruits of his
knowledge are enduring [Taken from SIRACH 37:21-22]
One wise for himself has full enjoyment, and all who see him
praise him; One wise for his people wins a heritage of glory, and his name
endures forever. [SIRACH 37:24-25]
The scribe's profession increases his wisdom; whoever is free
from toil can become a wise man. [SIRACH 38:24]
Because of his merits [David] had as his successor a wise son,
who lived in security: Solomon reigned during an era of peace, for
God made tranquil all his borders. He built a house to the name of
God, and established a lasting sanctuary. How wise you were when
you were young, overflowing with instruction, like the Nile in
flood! Your understanding covered the whole earth, and, like a
sea, filled it with knowledge. Your fame reached distant coasts,
and their peoples came to hear you; With song and story and
riddle, and with your answers, you astounded the nations. [SIRACH
47:12-17]
Wise instruction, appropriate proverbs, I have written in this
book, I, Jesus, son of Eleazar, son of Sirach, as they gushed
forth from my heart's understanding. Happy the man who meditates
upon these things, wise the man who takes them to heart! If he
puts them into practice, he can cope with anything, for the fear
of the LORD is his lamp. [SIRACH 50:27-29]
Woe to those who are wise in their own sight, and prudent in
their own esteem! [ISA 5:21]
Utter fools are the princes of Zoan! the wisest of Pharaoh's
advisers give stupid counsel. How can you say to Pharaoh, "I
am a disciple of wise men, of ancient kings"? Where then are your wise men? Let them tell you and make known
What the LORD of hosts has planned against Egypt. [ISA 19:11-12]
The Lord said: Since this people draws near with words only and
honors me with their lips alone, though their hearts are far from
me, And their reverence for me has become routine observance of
the precepts of men, Therefore I will again deal with this people
in surprising and wondrous fashion: The wisdom of its wise men
shall perish and the understanding of its prudent men be hid. [ISA
29:13-14]
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who depend upon
horses; Who put their trust in chariots because of their number,
and in horsemen because of their combined power, But look not to
the Holy One of Israel nor seek the LORD! Yet he too is wise and
will bring disaster; he will not turn from what he has threatened
to do. He will rise up against the house of the wicked and against
those who help evildoers. [ISA 31:1-2]
See, a king will reign justly and princes will rule rightly.
Each of them will be a shelter from the wind, a retreat from the
rain. They will be like streams of water in a dry country, like
the shade of a great rock in a parched land. The eyes of those who
see will not be closed; the ears of those who hear will be
attentive. The flighty will become wise and capable, and the
stutterers will speak fluently and clearly. No more will the fool
be called noble, nor the trickster be considered honorable. For
the fool speaks foolishly, planning evil in his heart: How to do
wickedness, to speak perversely against the LORD, To let the
hungry go empty and the thirsty be without drink. [ISA 32:1-6]
Thus says the LORD, your redeemer, who formed you from the
womb: I am the LORD, who made all things, who alone stretched out
the heavens; when I spread out the earth, who was with me? It is I
who bring to nought the omens of liars, who make fools of
diviners; I turn wise men back and make their knowledge foolish.
It is I who confirm the words of my servants, I carry out the plan
announced by my messengers; I say to Jerusalem: Be inhabited; to
the cities of Judah: Be rebuilt; I will raise up their ruins. [ISA
44:24-26]
Return, rebellious children, says the LORD, for I am your Master;
I will take you, one from a city, two from a clan, and bring you to Zion.
I will appoint over you shepherds after my own heart, who will shepherd you wisely and prudently.
[JER 3:14-15]
Fools my people are, they know me not; Senseless children they
are, having no understanding; They are wise in evil, but know not
how to do good. [JER 4:22]
How can you say, "We are wise, we have the law of the
LORD"? Why, that has been changed into falsehood by the lying
pen of the scribes! The wise are confounded, dismayed and ensnared; Since they have
rejected the word of the LORD, of what avail is their wisdom? [JER
8:8-9]
Who is so wise that he can understand this? Let him to whom the
mouth of the LORD has spoken make it known: Why is the land
ravaged, scorched like a wasteland untraversed? The LORD answered:
Because they have abandoned my law, which I set before them, and
have not followed it or listened to my voice, but followed rather
the hardness of their hearts and the Baals, as their fathers had
taught them; therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of
Israel: See now, I will give them wormwood to eat and poison to
drink. [JER 9:11-14]
Thus says the LORD: Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
nor the strong man glory in his strength, nor the rich man glory
in his riches; But rather, let him who glories, glory in this,
that in his prudence he knows me, Knows that I, the LORD, bring
about kindness, justice and uprightness on the earth; For with
such am I pleased, says the LORD. [JER 9:22-23]
No one is like you, O LORD, great are you, great and mighty is your name. Who would not fear you, King of the nations, for it is your
due! Among all the wisest of the nations, and in all their domain, there is none like you.
[JER 10:6-7]
"Come," they said, "let us contrive a plot
against Jeremiah. It will not mean the loss of instruction from
the priests, nor of counsel from the wise, nor of messages from
the prophets. And so, let us destroy him by his own tongue; let us
carefully note his every word." [JER 18:18]
Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will raise
up a righteous shoot to David; As king he shall reign and govern
wisely, he shall do what is just and right in the land. [JER 23:5]
Thus the word of the LORD came to me: Son of man, say to the
prince of Tyre: Thus says the Lord GOD: Because you are haughty of
heart, you say, "A god am I! I occupy a godly throne in the
heart of the sea!" - And yet you are a man, and not a god,
however you may think yourself like a god. Oh yes, you are wiser
than Daniel, there is no secret that is beyond you. By your wisdom
and your intelligence you have made riches for yourself; You have
put gold and silver into your treasuries. By your great wisdom
applied to your trading you have heaped up your riches; your heart
has grown haughty from your riches - therefore thus says the Lord
GOD: Because you have thought yourself to have the mind of a god,
Therefore I will bring against you foreigners, the most barbarous
of nations. They shall draw their swords against your beauteous
wisdom, they shall run them through your splendid apparel. Will
you then say, "I am a god!" when you face your
murderers? No, you are a man, not a god, handed over to those who
will slay you. [EZEK 28:1-7,9]
The king told Ashpenaz, his chief chamberlain, to bring in some
of the Israelites of royal blood and of the nobility, young men
without any defect, handsome, intelligent and wise, quick to
learn, and prudent in judgment, such as could take their place in
the king's palace; they were to be taught the language and
literature of the Chaldeans; after three years' training they were
to enter the king's service. The king allotted them a daily
portion of food and wine from the royal table. Among these were
men of Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. [DAN 1:3-6]
The Chaldeans answered the king: "There is not a man on
earth who can do what you ask, O king; never has any king, however
great and mighty, asked such a thing of any magician, enchanter,
or Chaldean. What you demand, O king, is too difficult; there is
no one who can tell it to the king except the gods who do not
dwell among men." At this the king became violently angry and
ordered all the wise men of Babylon to be put to death. When the
decree was issued that the wise men should be slain, Daniel and
his companions were also sought out. Then Daniel prudently took
counsel with Arioch, the captain of the king's guard, who had set
out to kill the wise men of Babylon: "O officer of the
king," he asked, "what is the reason for this harsh
order from the king?" When Arioch told him, Daniel went and
asked for time from the king, that he might give him the
interpretation. Daniel went home and informed his companions
Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, that they might implore the mercy
of the God of heaven in regard to this mystery, so that Daniel and
his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of
Babylon. During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a
vision, and he blessed the God of heaven: "Blessed be the
name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and power are his. He
causes the changes of the times and seasons, makes kings and
unmakes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those
who understand. He reveals deep and hidden things and knows what
is in the darkness, for the light dwells with him. To you, O God
of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, because you have given me
wisdom and power. Now you have shown me what we asked of you, you
have made known to us the king's dream." So Daniel went to
Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of
Babylon, and said to him, "Do not put the wise men of Babylon
to death. Bring me before the king, and I will tell him the
interpretation of the dream." Arioch quickly brought Daniel
to the king and said, "I have found a man among the Judean
captives who can give the interpretation to the king." The
king asked Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, "Can you tell
me the dream that I had, and its meaning?" In the king's
presence Daniel made this reply: "The mystery about which the
king has inquired, the wise men, enchanters, magicians, and
astrologers could not explain to the king. But there is a God in
heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has shown King Nebuchadnezzar
what is to happen in days to come; this was the dream you saw as
you lay in bed. To you in your bed there came thoughts about what
should happen in the future, and he who reveals mysteries showed
you what is to be. To me also this mystery has been revealed; not
that I am wiser than any other living person, but in order that
its meaning may be made known to the king, that you may understand
the thoughts in your own mind." [DAN 2:10-30]
"This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now,
Belteshazzar, tell me its meaning. Although none of the wise men
in my kingdom can tell me the meaning, you can, because the spirit
of the holy God is in you." [DAN 4:15]
The king shouted for the enchanters, Chaldeans, and astrologers
to be brought in. "Whoever reads this writing and tells me
what it means," he said to the wise men of Babylon,
"shall be clothed in purple, wear a golden collar about his
neck, and be third in the government of the kingdom." But though all the king's wise men came in, none of them could
either read the writing or tell the king what it meant. [DAN 5:7-8]
The nation's wise men shall instruct the many; though for a time they will become victims of the sword, of flames, exile, and plunder.
When they fall, few people shall help them, but many shall join them out of treachery.
Of the wise men, some shall fall, so that the rest may be tested, refined, and purified, until the end time which is still appointed to come.
[DAN 11:33-35]
"At that time there shall arise Michael, the great prince,
guardian of your people; It shall be a time unsurpassed in
distress since nations began until that time. At that time your
people shall escape, everyone who is found written in the book.
Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some
shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and
disgrace. But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of
the firmament, And those who lead the many to justice shall be
like the stars forever." [DAN 12:1-3]
"Go, Daniel," he said, "because the words are to be kept secret and sealed until the end time. Many shall be refined, purified, and tested, but the wicked shall prove wicked; none of them shall have understanding, but the wise shall have it."
[DAN 12:9-10]
I give you a king in my anger, and I take him away in my wrath.
The guilt of Israel is wrapped up, his sin is stored away. The
birth pangs shall come for him, but he shall be an unwise child;
For when it is time he shall not present himself where children
break forth. [HOSEA 13:11-13]
Let him who is wise understand these things; let him who is
prudent know them. Straight are the paths of the LORD, in them the
just walk, but sinners stumble in them. [HOSEA 14:10]
Shall I not, says the LORD, on that day make the wise men
disappear from Edom, and understanding from the mount of Esau? [OBAD
1:8]
[Jesus said,] "Everyone who listens to these words of mine
and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on
rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and
buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set
solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine
but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house
on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and
buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely
ruined." [Taken from MT 7:24-27]
At that time Jesus said in reply, "I give praise to you,
Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden
these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them
to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows
the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the
Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him." [MT
11:25-27]
You serpents, you brood of vipers, how can you flee from the
judgment of Gehenna? Therefore, behold, I send to you prophets and
wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, some
of them you will scourge in your synagogues and pursue from town
to town, so that there may come upon you all the righteous blood
shed upon earth, from the righteous blood of Abel to the blood of
Zechariah, the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the
sanctuary and the altar. Amen, I say to you, all these things will
come upon this generation. [MT 23:33-36]
"Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who
took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them
were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking
their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks
of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed,
they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight, there was a
cry, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' Then all
those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones
said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are
going out.' But the wise ones replied, 'No, for there may not be
enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some
for yourselves.' While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom
came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with
him. Then the door was locked. Afterwards the other virgins came
and said, 'Lord, Lord, open the door for us!' But he said in
reply, 'Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.' Therefore, stay
awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour." [MT 25:1-13]
The seventy (-two) returned rejoicing, and said, "Lord,
even the demons are subject to us because of your name."
Jesus said, "I have observed Satan fall like lightning from
the sky. Behold, I have given you the power 'to tread upon
serpents' and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and
nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the
spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are
written in heaven." At that very moment he rejoiced (in) the Holy Spirit
and said, "I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and
earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and
the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father,
such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over
to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father,
and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son
wishes to reveal him." [LK 10:17-22]
For I long to see you, that I may share with you some spiritual
gift so that you may be strengthened, that is, that you and I may
be mutually encouraged by one another's faith, yours and mine. I
do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I often planned to
come to you, though I was prevented until now, that I might
harvest some fruit among you, too, as among the rest of the
Gentiles. To Greeks and non-Greeks alike, to the wise and the
ignorant, I am under obligation; that is why I am eager to preach
the gospel also to you in Rome. [ROM 1:11-15]
The wrath of God is indeed being revealed from heaven against
every impiety and wickedness of those who suppress the truth by
their wickedness. For what can be known about God is evident to
them, because God made it evident to them. Ever since the creation
of the world, his invisible attributes of eternal power and
divinity have been able to be understood and perceived in what he
has made. As a result, they have no excuse; for although they knew
God they did not accord him glory as God or give him thanks.
Instead, they became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless
minds were darkened. While claiming to be wise, they became fools
and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for the likeness of an
image of mortal man or of birds or of four-legged animals or of
snakes. Therefore, God handed them over to impurity through the
lusts of their hearts for the mutual degradation of their bodies.
They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and revered and
worshiped the creature rather than the creator, who is blessed
forever. Amen. [ROM 1:18-25]
I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers, so
that you will not become wise (in) your own estimation: a
hardening has come upon Israel in part, until the full number of
the Gentiles comes in, and thus all Israel will be saved, as it is
written: "The deliverer will come out of Zion, he will turn
away godlessness from Jacob; and this is my covenant with them
when I take away their sins." In respect to the gospel, they
are enemies on your account; but in respect to election, they are
beloved because of the patriarchs. For the gifts and the call of
God are irrevocable. [ROM 11:25-28]
Have the same regard for one another; do not be haughty but
associate with the lowly; do not be wise in your own estimation.
[ROM 12:16]
I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create
dissensions and obstacles, in opposition to the teaching that you
learned; avoid them. For such people do not serve our Lord Christ
but their own appetites, and by fair and flattering speech they
deceive the hearts of the innocent. For while your obedience is
known to all, so that I rejoice over you, I want you to be wise as
to what is good, and simple as to what is evil; then the God of
peace will quickly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our
Lord Jesus be with you. [ROM 16:17-20]
The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are
perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the learning of the learned I will set aside." Where is
the wise one? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this
age? Has not God made the wisdom of the world foolish? For since
in the wisdom of God the world did not come to know God through
wisdom, it was the will of God through the foolishness of the
proclamation to save those who have faith. For Jews demand signs
and Greeks look for wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a
stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those
who are called, Jews and Greeks alike, Christ the power of God and
the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human
wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. [1COR
1:18-25]
Consider your own calling, brothers. Not many of you were wise
by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble
birth. Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the
wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and
God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for
nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no
human being might boast before God. It is due to him that you are
in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, as well as
righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, so that, as it is
written, "Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord." [1COR
1:26-31]
What is Apollos, after all, and what is Paul? Ministers through
whom you became believers, just as the Lord assigned each one. I
planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth. Therefore,
neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but
only God, who causes the growth. The one who plants and the one
who waters are equal, and each will receive wages in proportion to
his labor. For we are God's co-workers; you are God's field, God's
building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a wise
master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon
it. But each one must be careful how he builds upon it, for no one
can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely,
Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation with gold,
silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, the work of each
will come to light, for the Day will disclose it. It will be
revealed with fire, and the fire (itself) will test the quality of
each one's work. If the work stands that someone built upon the
foundation, that person will receive a wage. But if someone's work
is burned up, that one will suffer loss; the person will be saved,
but only as through fire. Do you not know that you are the temple
of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone
destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person; for the
temple of God, which you are, is holy. Let no one deceive himself.
If any one among you considers himself wise in this age, let him
become a fool so as to become wise. For the wisdom of this world
is foolishness in the eyes of God, for it is written: "He
catches the wise in their own ruses," and again: "The
Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain." So
let no one boast about human beings, for everything belongs to
you, Paul or Apollos or Kephas, or the world or life or death, or
the present or the future: all belong to you, and you to Christ,
and Christ to God. [1COR 3:5-23]
I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your
benefit, brothers, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond
what is written, so that none of you will be inflated with pride
in favor of one person over against another. Who confers
distinction upon you? What do you possess that you have not
received? But if you have received it, why are you boasting as if
you did not receive it? You are already satisfied; you have
already grown rich; you have become kings without us! Indeed, I
wish that you had become kings, so that we also might become kings
with you. For as I see it, God has exhibited us apostles as the
last of all, like people sentenced to death, since we have become
a spectacle to the world, to angels and human beings alike. We are
fools on Christ's account, but you are wise in Christ; we are
weak, but you are strong; you are held in honor, but we in
disrepute. [1COR 4:6-10]
How can any one of you with a case against another dare to
bring it to the unjust for judgment instead of to the holy ones?
Do you not know that the holy ones will judge the world? If the
world is to be judged by you, are you unqualified for the lowest
law courts? Do you not know that we will judge angels? Then why
not everyday matters? If, therefore, you have courts for everyday
matters, do you seat as judges people of no standing in the
church? I say this to shame you. Can it be that there is not one
among you wise enough to be able to settle a case between
brothers? But rather brother goes to court against brother, and
that before unbelievers? Now indeed (then) it is, in any case, a
failure on your part that you have lawsuits against one another.
Why not rather put up with injustice? Why not rather let
yourselves be cheated? Instead, you inflict injustice and cheat,
and this to brothers. Do you not know that the unjust will not
inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither
fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor boy prostitutes nor
practicing homosexuals nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards
nor slanderers nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God. That
is what some of you used to be; but now you have had yourselves
washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the
Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. [1COR 6:1-11]
For you gladly put up with fools, since you are wise
yourselves. For you put up with it if someone enslaves you, or
devours you, or gets the better of you, or puts on airs, or slaps
you in the face. To my shame I say that we were too weak! But what
anyone dares to boast of (I am speaking in foolishness) I also
dare. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are
they descendants of Abraham? So am I. [2COR 11:19-22]
Watch carefully then how you live, not as foolish persons but
as wise, making the most of the opportunity, because the days are
evil. Therefore, do not continue in ignorance, but try to
understand what is the will of the Lord. [EPH 5:15-17]
Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you know how you should respond to each one.
[COL 4:5-6]
Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show his works
by a good life in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you
have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not
boast and be false to the truth. Wisdom of this kind does not come
down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where
jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every
foul practice. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure,
then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits,
without inconstancy or insincerity. And the fruit of righteousness
is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace. [JMS 3:13-18]
Also try:
wisdom
[W6]
knowledge
[K3]
truth
[T14]
teach
/ teacher / taught [T1a]
fool
/ foolish [F9]
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