1988 verses about Wisdom

Please receive instruction from his mouth, and lay up his words in your heart.

I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would tell me.

How have you counseled him who has no wisdom, and plentifully declared sound knowledge!

To whom have you uttered words? Whose spirit came out of you?

Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways. How small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?”

Job again took up his parable, and said,

I will teach you about the hand of God. That which is with the Almighty will I not conceal.

Man sets an end to darkness, and searches out, to the furthest bound, the stones of obscurity and of thick darkness.

That path no bird of prey knows, neither has the falcon’s eye seen it.

He cuts out channels among the rocks. His eye sees every precious thing.

He binds the streams that they don’t trickle. The thing that is hidden he brings out to light.

“But where shall wisdom be found? Where is the place of understanding?

Man doesn’t know its price; Neither is it found in the land of the living.

The deep says, ‘It isn’t in me.’ The sea says, ‘It isn’t with me.’

It can’t be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for its price.

It can’t be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.

Gold and glass can’t equal it, neither shall it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.

No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal. Yes, the price of wisdom is above rubies.

The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, Neither shall it be valued with pure gold.

Where then does wisdom come from? Where is the place of understanding?

Seeing it is hidden from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the birds of the sky.

“God understands its way, and he knows its place.

For he looks to the ends of the earth, and sees under the whole sky.

then he saw it, and declared it. He established it, yes, and searched it out.

To man he said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom. To depart from evil is understanding.’”

The princes refrained from talking, and laid their hand on their mouth.

For when the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it commended me:

“Men listened to me, waited, and kept silence for my counsel.

After my words they didn’t speak again. My speech fell on them.

Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered, “I am young, and you are very old; Therefore I held back, and didn’t dare show you my opinion.

I said, ‘Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.’

But there is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.

It is not the great who are wise, nor the aged who understand justice.

Therefore I said, ‘Listen to me; I also will show my opinion.’

Yes, I gave you my full attention, but there was no one who convinced Job, or who answered his words, among you.

Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom, God may refute him, not man;’

Then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction,

“If there is beside him an angel, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man what is right for him;

If not, listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom.”

Moreover Elihu answered,

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

For the ear tries words, as the palate tastes food.

Let us choose for us that which is right. Let us know among ourselves what is good.

“Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.

“If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my words.

Shall his recompense be as you desire, that you refuse it? For you must choose, and not I. Therefore speak what you know.

Men of understanding will tell me, yes, every wise man who hears me:

‘Job speaks without knowledge. His words are without wisdom.’

who teaches us more than the animals of the earth, and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?’

Therefore Job opens his mouth with empty talk, and he multiplies words without knowledge.”

I will get my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.

For truly my words are not false. One who is perfect in knowledge is with you.

“Behold, God is mighty, and doesn’t despise anyone. He is mighty in strength of understanding.

He also opens their ears to instruction, and commands that they return from iniquity.

Behold, God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him?

Behold, God is great, and we don’t know him. The number of his years is unsearchable.

Do you know the workings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?

Teach us what we shall tell him, for we can’t make our case by reason of darkness.

Therefore men revere him. He doesn’t regard any who are wise of heart.”

“Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge?

Have you comprehended the earth in its width? Declare, if you know it all.

that you should take it to its bound, that you should discern the paths to its house?

Surely you know, for you were born then, and the number of your days is great!

“Can you bind the cluster of the Pleiades, or loosen the cords of Orion?

Can you lead the constellations out in their season? Or can you guide the Bear with her cubs?

Who has put wisdom in the inward parts? Or who has given understanding to the mind?

Who can count the clouds by wisdom? Or who can pour out the bottles of the sky,

because God has deprived her of wisdom, neither has he imparted to her understanding.

“Is it by your wisdom that the hawk soars, and stretches her wings toward the south?

You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’ therefore I have uttered that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I didn’t know.

Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers;

but his delight is in Yahweh’s law. On his law he meditates day and night.

He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that produces its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper.

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

I will bless Yahweh, who has given me counsel. Yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons.

Yahweh’s law is perfect, restoring the soul. Yahweh’s testimony is sure, making wise the simple.

Show me your ways, Yahweh. Teach me your paths.

He will guide the humble in justice. He will teach the humble his way.

What man is he who fears Yahweh? He shall instruct him in the way that he shall choose.

Teach me your way, Yahweh. Lead me in a straight path, because of my enemies.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go. I will counsel you with my eye on you.

Come, you children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of Yahweh.

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

A man’s goings are established by Yahweh. He delights in his way.

The mouth of the righteous talks of wisdom. His tongue speaks justice.

I said, “I will watch my ways, so that I don’t sin with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me.”

My mouth will speak words of wisdom. My heart shall utter understanding.

I will incline my ear to a proverb. I will open my riddle on the harp.

Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts. You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

All mankind shall be afraid. They shall declare the work of God, and shall wisely ponder what he has done.

God, you have taught me from my youth. Until now, I have declared your wondrous works.

I was so senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you.

You will guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.

Hear my teaching, my people. Turn your ears to the words of my mouth.

I will open my mouth in a parable. I will utter dark sayings of old,

So he was their shepherd according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.

So teach us to count our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

How great are your works, Yahweh! Your thoughts are very deep.

A senseless man doesn’t know, neither does a fool understand this: