What does the Bible say about counsel?

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

• Proverbs 12:15

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

• Proverbs 11:14

  Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls, But in the multitude of counselors there is victory.

• Psalms 32:8

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

• 1 Kings 12:6-19

  [6] King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give you me to return answer to this people? [7] They spoke to him, saying, If you will be a servant to this people this day, and will serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever. [8] But he forsook the counsel of the old men which they had given him, and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him. [9] He said to them, What counsel do you give, that we may return answer to this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke that your father did put on us lighter? [10] The young men who had grown up with him spoke to him, saying, Thus shall you tell this people who spoke to you, saying, Your father made our yoke heavy, but make you it lighter to us; thus shall you speak to them, My little finger is thicker than my father's loins. [11] Now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. [12] So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king bade, saying, Come to me again the third day. [13] The king answered the people roughly, and forsook the counsel of the old men which they had given him, [14] and spoke to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. [15] So the king didn't listen to the people; for it was a thing brought about of Yahweh, that he might establish his word, which Yahweh spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat. [16] When all Israel saw that the king didn't listen to them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, Israel: now see to your own house, David. So Israel departed to their tents. [17] But as for the children of Israel who lived in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them. [18] Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the men subject to forced labor; and all Israel stoned him to death with stones. King Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem. [19] So Israel rebelled against the house of David to this day.

• Proverbs 16:1-33

  [1] The plans of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh. [2] All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; But Yahweh weighs the motives. [3] Commit your deeds to Yahweh, And your plans shall succeed. [4] Yahweh has made everything for its own end-- Yes, even the wicked for the day of evil. [5] Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh: They shall assuredly not be unpunished. [6] By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of Yahweh men depart from evil. [7] When a man's ways please Yahweh, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. [8] Better is a little with righteousness, Than great revenues with injustice. [9] A man's heart plans his course, But Yahweh directs his steps. [10] Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth. [11] Honest balances and scales are Yahweh's; All the weights in the bag are his work. [12] It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, For the throne is established by righteousness. [13] Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth. [14] The king's wrath is a messenger of death, But a wise man will pacify it. [15] In the light of the king's face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain. [16] How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. [17] The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul. [18] Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. [19] It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, Than to divide the plunder with the proud. [20] He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed. [21] The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction. [22] Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, But the punishment of fools is their folly. [23] The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, And adds learning to his lips. [24] Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. [25] There is a way which seems right to a man, But in the end it leads to death. [26] The appetite of the laboring man labors for him; For his mouth urges him on. [27] A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire. [28] A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends. [29] A man of violence entices his neighbor, And leads him in a way that is not good. [30] One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, One who compresses his lips, is bent on evil. [31] Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness. [32] One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; One who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city. [33] The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from Yahweh.

• Proverbs 3:5-6

  [5] Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, And don't lean on your own understanding. [6] In all your ways acknowledge him, And he will direct your paths.

• Proverbs 19:20

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

• Psalms 119:105

  Your word is a lamp to my feet, And a light for my path.

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17

  [16] Every writing inspired by God is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction which is in righteousness, [17] that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

• Jeremiah 23:22

  But if they had stood in my council, then had they caused my people to hear my words, and had turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.

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• bad counsel
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