²³ Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the word of God; so was all the counsel of Ahithophel esteemed, ^(A)both by David and by Absalom.

¹² And while Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for^{[a] (A)}Ahithophel the Gilonite, ^(B)David's counselor, from his city ^(C)Giloh. And the conspiracy grew strong, and the people with Absalom ^(D)kept increasing.

²³ When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and went off home to ^(A)his own city. He ^(B)set his house in order and ^(C)hanged himself, and he died and was buried in the tomb of his father.

¹⁴ And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” ^(A)For the Lord had ordained^[a] to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the Lord might bring harm upon Absalom.

¹¹ whoever speaks, as one who speaks ^(A)oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves ^(B)by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything ^(C)God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. ^(D)To him belong glory and ^(E)dominion forever and ever. Amen.

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. ¹⁴ But if you have bitter ^(C)jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. ¹⁵ This is not ^(D)the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, ^(E)demonic. ¹⁶ For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. ¹⁷ But ^(F)the wisdom from above is first pure, then ^(G)peaceable, gentle, open to reason, ^(H)full of mercy and good fruits, ^(I)impartial and ^(J)sincere. ¹⁸ And ^(K)a harvest of righteousness ^(L)is sown in peace by those who make peace.

¹⁹ For ^(A)the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, ^(B)“He catches the wise in their craftiness,” ²⁰ and again, ^(C)“The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”

^22 (A)Claiming to be wise, they became fools,

⁸ The master commended the dishonest manager for his ^(A)shrewdness. For ^(B)the sons of this world^[a] are ^(C)more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than ^(D)the sons of light.