¹¹ God answered Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for ^(A)possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked for long life, but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king,

¹⁷ But ^(A)the wisdom from above is first pure, then ^(B)peaceable, gentle, open to reason, ^(C)full of mercy and good fruits, ^(D)impartial and ^(E)sincere.

¹² For ^(A)the word of God is living and ^(B)active, ^(C)sharper than any ^(D)two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and ^(E)discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

⁷ But the Lord said to Samuel, ^(A)“Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, ^(B)but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Wisdom from Above

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? ^(A)By his good conduct let him show his works ^(B)in the meekness of wisdom.

⁴ While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but ^(A)to God.”

¹⁷ I know, my God, ^(A)that you test the heart and ^(B)have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you. ¹⁸ O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you.

² Then King David rose to his feet and said: “Hear me, my brothers and my people. ^(A)I had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord and for the ^(B)footstool of our God, and I made preparations for building.