So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

Now it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. And Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them for Pharaoh.

“Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt.

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you.

But Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers; so the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.

Choose wise, understanding, and knowledgeable men from among your tribes, and I will make them heads over you.’

So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and knowledgeable men, and made them heads over you, leaders of thousands, leaders of hundreds, leaders of fifties, leaders of tens, and officers for your tribes.

Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’

You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.

Oh, that they were wise, that they understood this, That they would consider their latter end!

Her wisest ladies answered her, Yes, she answered herself,

So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and behaved wisely. And Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.

And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the Lord was with him.

Therefore, when Saul saw that he behaved very wisely, he was afraid of him.

Then the princes of the Philistines went out to war. And so it was, whenever they went out, that David behaved more wisely than all the servants of Saul, so that his name became highly esteemed.

And Joab sent to Tekoa and brought from there a wise woman, and said to her, “Please pretend to be a mourner, and put on mourning apparel; do not anoint yourself with oil, but act like a woman who has been mourning a long time for the dead.

To bring about this change of affairs your servant Joab has done this thing; but my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of the angel of God, to know everything that is in the earth.”

Then a wise woman cried out from the city, “Hear, hear! Please say to Joab, ‘Come nearby, that I may speak with you.’ ”

Now therefore, do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man and know what you ought to do to him; but bring his gray hair down to the grave with blood.”

behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you.

Solomon’s Wise Judgment

Now two women who were harlots came to the king, and stood before him.

For he was wiser than all men—than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and his fame was in all the surrounding nations.

So it was, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly and said, Blessed be the Lord this day, for He has given David a wise son over this great people!

The lot for the East Gate fell to Shelemiah. Then they cast lots for his son Zechariah, a wise counselor, and his lot came out for the North Gate;

Also Jehonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, a wise man, and a scribe; and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king’s sons.

Hiram also said: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, for He has given King David a wise son, endowed with prudence and understanding, who will build a temple for the Lord and a royal house for himself!

He dealt wisely, and dispersed some of his sons throughout all the territories of Judah and Benjamin, to every fortified city; and he gave them provisions in abundance. He also sought many wives for them.

Then the king said to the wise men who understood the times (for this was the king’s manner toward all who knew law and justice,

When Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened to him, his wise men and his wife Zeresh said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish descent, you will not prevail against him but will surely fall before him.”

He catches the wise in their own craftiness, And the counsel of the cunning comes quickly upon them.

God is wise in heart and mighty in strength. Who has hardened himself against Him and prospered?

For an empty-headed man will be wise, When a wild donkey’s colt is born a man.

“Should a wise man answer with empty knowledge, And fill himself with the east wind?

What wise men have told, Not hiding anything received from their fathers,

“But please, come back again, all of you, For I shall not find one wise man among you.

“Can a man be profitable to God, Though he who is wise may be profitable to himself?

Great men are not always wise, Nor do the aged always understand justice.

“Hear my words, you wise men; Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.

“Men of understanding say to me, Wise men who listen to me:

Who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth, And makes us wiser than the birds of heaven?’

Therefore men fear Him; He shows no partiality to any who are wise of heart.”

Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth.

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

The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise and to do good.

For he sees wise men die; Likewise the fool and the senseless person perish, And leave their wealth to others.

All men shall fear, And shall declare the work of God; For they shall wisely consider His doing.

Understand, you senseless among the people; And you fools, when will you be wise?

I will behave wisely in a perfect way. Oh, when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

Whoever is wise will observe these things, And they will understand the lovingkindness of the Lord.

You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me.

A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,

To understand a proverb and an enigma, The words of the wise and their riddles.

Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil.

The wise shall inherit glory, But shame shall be the legacy of fools.

The Folly of Indolence

Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise,

Hear instruction and be wise, And do not disdain it.

Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

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

Wise Sayings of Solomon

The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son makes a glad father, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.

He who gathers in summer is a wise son; He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.

The wise in heart will receive commands, But a prating fool will fall.

Wise people store up knowledge, But the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.

In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.

He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind, And the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.

There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.

Wisdom Loves Righteousness

A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.

The law of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.

He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed.

The Ways of Life and Death

The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.

In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, But the lips of the wise will preserve them.

A wise man fears and departs from evil, But a fool rages and is self-confident.

The crown of the wise is their riches, But the foolishness of fools is folly.

The king’s favor is toward a wise servant, But his wrath is against him who causes shame.

The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.

The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, But the heart of the fool does not do so.

A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, Nor will he go to the wise.

A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.

The way of life winds upward for the wise, That he may turn away from hell below.

The ear that hears the rebukes of life Will abide among the wise.

As messengers of death is the king’s wrath, But a wise man will appease it.

He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.

The wise in heart will be called prudent, And sweetness of the lips increases learning.

The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, And adds learning to his lips.

A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame, And will share an inheritance among the brothers.

Rebuke is more effective for a wise man Than a hundred blows on a fool.

Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.

The Name of the Lord Is a Strong Tower

A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.

The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days.

Wine Is a Mocker

Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

Plans are established by counsel; By wise counsel wage war.

A wise king sifts out the wicked, And brings the threshing wheel over them.

When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked, Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.

There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it.

A wise man scales the city of the mighty, And brings down the trusted stronghold.

Sayings of the Wise

Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, And apply your heart to my knowledge;

My son, if your heart is wise, My heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself;

Hear, my son, and be wise; And guide your heart in the way.

The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who begets a wise child will delight in him.

A wise man is strong, Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;

For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.

Further Sayings of the Wise

These things also belong to the wise: It is not good to show partiality in judgment.

Further Wise Sayings of Solomon

These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:

Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear.

Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can answer sensibly.

My Son, Be Wise

Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.

My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, That I may answer him who reproaches me.

The rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding searches him out.

He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.

Scoffers set a city aflame, But wise men turn away wrath.

If a wise man contends with a foolish man, Whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace.

A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back.

There are four things which are little on the earth, But they are exceedingly wise:

The End of the Wise and the Fool

Then I turned myself to consider wisdom and madness and folly; For what can the man do who succeeds the king?— Only what he has already done.

The wise man’s eyes are in his head, But the fool walks in darkness. Yet I myself perceived That the same event happens to them all.

So I said in my heart, “As it happens to the fool, It also happens to me, And why was I then more wise?” Then I said in my heart, “This also is vanity.”

For there is no more remembrance of the wise than of the fool forever, Since all that now is will be forgotten in the days to come. And how does a wise man die? As the fool!

And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will rule over all my labor in which I toiled and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity.

Popularity Passes Away

Better a poor and wise youth Than an old and foolish king who will be admonished no more.

For what more has the wise man than the fool? What does the poor man have, Who knows how to walk before the living?

The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, But the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise Than for a man to hear the song of fools.

Surely oppression destroys a wise man’s reason, And a bribe debases the heart.

Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For you do not inquire wisely concerning this.

Do not be overly righteous, Nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself?

Wisdom strengthens the wise More than ten rulers of the city.

All this I have proved by wisdom. I said, “I will be wise”; But it was far from me.

Obey Authorities for God’s Sake

Who is like a wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, And the sternness of his face is changed.

He who keeps his command will experience nothing harmful; And a wise man’s heart discerns both time and judgment,

then I saw all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. For though a man labors to discover it, yet he will not find it; moreover, though a wise man attempts to know it, he will not be able to find it.

Death Comes to All

For I considered all this in my heart, so that I could declare it all: that the righteous and the wise and their works are in the hand of God. People know neither love nor hatred by anything they see before them.

I returned and saw under the sun that— The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all.

Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that same poor man.

Words of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heard Rather than the shout of a ruler of fools.

A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, But a fool’s heart at his left.

The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up;

The Whole Duty of Man

And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs.

The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd.

Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight!

Surely the princes of Zoan are fools; Pharaoh’s wise counselors give foolish counsel. How do you say to Pharaoh, “I am the son of the wise, The son of ancient kings?”

Where are they? Where are your wise men? Let them tell you now, And let them know what the Lord of hosts has purposed against Egypt.

Therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work Among this people, A marvelous work and a wonder; For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, And the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden.”

Yet He also is wise and will bring disaster, And will not call back His words, But will arise against the house of evildoers, And against the help of those who work iniquity.

Who frustrates the signs of the babblers, And drives diviners mad; Who turns wise men backward, And makes their knowledge foolishness;

“For My people are foolish, They have not known Me. They are silly children, And they have no understanding. They are wise to do evil, But to do good they have no knowledge.”

“How can you say, ‘We are wise, And the law of the Lord is with us’? Look, the false pen of the scribe certainly works falsehood.

The wise men are ashamed, They are dismayed and taken. Behold, they have rejected the word of the Lord; So what wisdom do they have?

Who is the wise man who may understand this? And who is he to whom the mouth of the Lord has spoken, that he may declare it? Why does the land perish and burn up like a wilderness, so that no one can pass through?

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;

Who would not fear You, O King of the nations? For this is Your rightful due. For among all the wise men of the nations, And in all their kingdoms, There is none like You.

Jeremiah Persecuted

Then they said, “Come and let us devise plans against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come and let us attack him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.”

“A sword is against the Chaldeans,” says the Lord, “Against the inhabitants of Babylon, And against her princes and her wise men.

“And I will make drunk Her princes and wise men, Her governors, her deputies, and her mighty men. And they shall sleep a perpetual sleep And not awake,” says the King, Whose name is the Lord of hosts.

“Inhabitants of Sidon and Arvad were your oarsmen; Your wise men, O Tyre, were in you; They became your pilots.

Elders of Gebal and its wise men Were in you to caulk your seams; All the ships of the sea And their oarsmen were in you To market your merchandise.

(Behold, you are wiser than Daniel! There is no secret that can be hidden from you!

For this reason the king was angry and very furious, and gave the command to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.

So the decree went out, and they began killing the wise men; and they sought Daniel and his companions, to kill them.

God Reveals Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

Then with counsel and wisdom Daniel answered Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon;

that they might seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding.

Daniel Explains the Dream

Therefore Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon. He went and said thus to him: “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; take me before the king, and I will tell the king the interpretation.”

Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, “The secret which the king has demanded, the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, and the soothsayers cannot declare to the king.

Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts; and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon.

Therefore I issued a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream.

“This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, declare its interpretation, since all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, for the Spirit of the Holy God is in you.”

The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spoke, saying to the wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing, and tells me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck; and he shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”

Now all the king’s wise men came, but they could not read the writing, or make known to the king its interpretation.

Now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing and make known to me its interpretation, but they could not give the interpretation of the thing.

Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.

Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.

Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right; The righteous walk in them, But transgressors stumble in them.

“Will I not in that day,” says the Lord, “Even destroy the wise men from Edom, And understanding from the mountains of Esau?

Also against Hamath, which borders on it, And against Tyre and Sidon, though they are very wise.