Godsaidto Solomon,"Becauseyou hadthisin mind,and did not askfor riches,wealthor honor,or the lifeof those who hateyou, norhave you evenaskedfor longlife,but you have askedfor yourself wisdomand knowledgethat you may ruleMy peopleoverwhomI have madeyou king,
Allthe earthwas seekingthe presenceof Solomon,to hearhis wisdomwhichGodhad putin his heart.
When allIsraelheardof the judgmentwhichthe kinghad handeddown,they fearedthe king,for they sawthat the wisdomof Godwas in him to administerjustice.
"But the LORDsaidto my fatherDavid,'Becauseit was in your heartto builda housefor My name,you didwellthat it was in your heart.
Then KingDavidroseto his feetand said,"Listento me, my brethrenand my people;I [had] intendedto builda permanenthomefor the arkof the covenantof the LORDand for the footstoolof our God.So I had madepreparationsto build[it].
wisdomand knowledgehave been grantedto you. And I will giveyou richesand wealthand honor,suchas noneof the kingswhowere beforeyou has possessednorthose who will come afteryou."
The wisdomof the sensibleis to understandhis way,But the foolishnessof foolsis deceit.
For as he thinkswithin himself,sohe is. He saysto you, "Eatand drink!"But his heartis not with you.
"By me kingsreign,And rulersdecreejustice.
"While it remained[unsold], did it not remainyour own? And after it was sold,was it not underyour control?Whyis it that you have conceivedthisdeedin your heart?You have not liedto menbut to God."
For the wordof Godis livingand activeand sharperthananytwo-edgedsword,and piercingas faras the divisionof souland spirit,of bothjointsand marrow,and able to judgethe thoughtsand intentionsof the heart.
Whoamongyou is wiseand understanding?Let him showby his goodbehaviorhis deedsin the gentlenessof wisdom.
But the wisdomfrom aboveis firstpure,thenpeaceable,gentle,reasonable,fullof mercyand goodfruits,unwavering,without hypocrisy.
But the LORDsaidto Samuel,"Do not lookat his appearanceor at the heightof his stature,becauseI have rejectedhim; for God[sees] not as mansees,for manlooksat the outwardappearance,but the LORDlooksat the heart."
