James makes the simplest offer in scripture: if you lack wisdom, ask for it, and it will be given liberally, and upbraideth not. That last clause matters. It says you will not be made to feel foolish for having asked.
Proverbs keeps repeating that wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord, which sounds circular until you notice what it excludes. It is not saying wisdom begins with intelligence, experience or good instincts. It begins somewhere outside yourself.
Proverbs 4:7 is blunt about cost: wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom, and with all thy getting get understanding. The verb is acquisitive. It assumes you will have to go after it rather than wait for it to arrive.
The verses
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James 1:5If 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.
Open → Proverbs 9:10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Open → Proverbs 4:7Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
Open → Proverbs 1:7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Open → Proverbs 3:5Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Open → Proverbs 11:2When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
Open → Ecclesiastes 7:8Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
Open → Proverbs 13:20He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
Open → Proverbs 19:20Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
Open → Colossians 4:6Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Open → Search this and more on FirstVerseOpen James 1:5 on FirstVerse and read what surrounds it. It sits in a passage about trials, not about decisions.
Related subjects
Scripture: King James Version, public domain. Last updated August 15, 2026.