²³ So ^(A)King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.

^12 (A)behold, I have done according to your words; ^(B)see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. ¹³ And I have also ^(C)given you what you have not asked: both ^(D)riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days.

² that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, ^[a]both of the Father and of Christ, ^3 (A)in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

¹⁸ And ^(A)He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, ^(B)the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

Reconciled in Christ

¹⁹ For it pleased the Father that ^(C)in Him all the fullness should dwell,

Purpose of the Mystery

⁸ To me, ^(A)who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles ^(B)the unsearchable riches of Christ,

²² So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. ²³ And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.

²⁹ And ^(A)God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore. ³⁰ Thus Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men ^(B)of the East and all ^(C)the wisdom of Egypt. ³¹ For he was ^(D)wiser than all men—^(E)than Ethan the Ezrahite, ^(F)and Heman, Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and his fame was in all the surrounding nations. ^32 (G)He spoke three thousand proverbs, and his ^(H)songs were one thousand and five. ³³ Also he spoke of trees, from the cedar tree of Lebanon even to the hyssop that springs out of the wall; he spoke also of animals, of birds, of creeping things, and of fish. ³⁴ And men of all nations, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom, ^(I)came to hear the wisdom of Solomon.