What Does the Bible Say About Understanding?
Here are 12 Bible verses about understanding, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.
- #1Proverbs 18:2
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
BSBA fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.
- #2Psalms 119:130
The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
BSBThe unfolding of Your words gives light; it informs the simple.
- #3Proverbs 14:29
He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
BSBA patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.
- #4Proverbs 2:2-5
So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.
BSBif you incline your ear to wisdom and direct your heart to understanding, if you truly call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure, then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God.
- #5Proverbs 4:7
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
BSBWisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.
- #6Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
BSBTrust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
- #7Proverbs 17:27
He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
BSBA man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit.
- #82 Timothy 3:1-17
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, …
BSBBut understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these! They are the kind who worm their way into households and captivate vulnerable women who are weighed down with sins and led astray by various passions, …
- #9Colossians 4:6
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
BSBLet your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
- #102 Timothy 2:7
Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
BSBConsider what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all things.
- #11Proverbs 3:13-18
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
BSBBlessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding, for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. All her ways are pleasant, and all her paths are peaceful. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed.
- #12James 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.
Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).