Topical Bible

What Does the Bible Say About Intelligence?

Here are 16 Bible verses about intelligence, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.

  1. #1Proverbs 1:7

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

    BSBThe fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

  2. #2Proverbs 1:1-33

    The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. …

    BSBThese are the proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel, for gaining wisdom and discipline, for comprehending words of insight, and for receiving instruction in wise living and in righteousness, justice, and equity. To impart prudence to the simple and knowledge and discretion to the young, let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel by understanding the proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. …

  3. #3Proverbs 2:6

    For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

    BSBFor the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

  4. #42 Peter 1:5

    And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

    BSBFor this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge;

  5. #5Daniel 5:14

    I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee.

    BSBI have heard that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that you have insight, intelligence, and extraordinary wisdom.

  6. #6Daniel 1:17

    As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

    BSBTo these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom. And Daniel had insight into all kinds of visions and dreams.

  7. #7James 1:5

    If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

    BSBNow if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

  8. #8Philippians 1:9-11

    And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

    BSBAnd this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to test and prove what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

  9. #9Job 12:3

    But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?

    BSBBut I also have a mind; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know such things as these?

  10. #10Proverbs 18:15

    The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

    BSBThe heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.

  11. #11Colossians 3:23

    And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

    BSBWhatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men,

  12. #121 Kings 10:24

    And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.

    BSBThe whole world sought an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart.

  13. #13Isaiah 29:12

    And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.

    BSBOr if the scroll is handed to one unable to read, he will say, “I cannot read.”

  14. #14Proverbs 10:19

    In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

    BSBWhen words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.

  15. #15Romans 12:2

    And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

    BSBDo not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

  16. #16Romans 12:6-8

    Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

    BSBWe have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).

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