¹⁶ I said in my heart, “I have acquired great ^(A)wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me, and my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.”

⁹ So I became great and ^(A)surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my ^(B)wisdom remained with me.

³⁰ so that Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all ^(A)the people of the east ^(B)and all the wisdom of Egypt.

⁷ but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report that I heard.

¹⁴ But solid food is for ^(A)the mature, for those who have their powers ^(B)of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

¹² Hiram also said, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, ^(A)who made heaven and earth, who has given King David a wise son, who has discretion and understanding, ^(B)who will build a temple for the Lord and a royal palace for himself.

¹⁰ Give me now wisdom and knowledge to ^(A)go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?” ¹¹ God answered Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for ^(B)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, ¹² wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you ^(C)riches, possessions, and honor, ^(D)such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like.”

¹² behold, ^(A)I now do according to your word. Behold, ^(B)I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. ^13 (C)I give you also what you have not asked, ^(D)both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days.

³⁰ and the king answered and said, ^(A)“Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by ^(B)my mighty power as a royal residence and for ^(C)the glory of my majesty?”

¹⁰ “Thus says the Lord God: On that day, ^(A)thoughts will come into your mind, and you will devise an evil scheme ¹¹ and say, ‘I will go up against ^(B)the land of unwalled villages. I will fall upon ^(C)the quiet people who dwell securely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having no bars or gates,’