⁹ “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion^(A) and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart^(B) and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him,^(C) he will be found by you; but if you forsake^(D) him, he will reject^(E) you forever.

²⁴ Then they prayed,^(A) “Lord, you know everyone’s heart.^(B) Show us^(C) which of these two you have chosen

⁷ But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance,^(A) but the Lord looks at the heart.”^(B)

Epilogue: Invitation and Warning

¹² “Look, I am coming soon!^(A) My reward is with me,^(B) and I will give to each person according to what they have done.^(C)

¹² For the word of God^(A) is alive^(B) and active.^(C) Sharper than any double-edged sword,^(D) it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.^{(E) 13} Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.^(F) Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

¹⁷ The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?”^(A) He said, “Lord, you know all things;^(B) you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.^(C)