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

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

³⁰ so that Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt.^(A)

⁷ but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes saw it. Not even half had been told me; your wisdom and prosperity far surpass the report that I had heard.

¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties have been trained by practice to distinguish good from evil.^(A)

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

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

¹² I now do according to your word. Indeed, I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you, and no one like you shall arise after you.^{(A) 13} I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor all your life; no other king shall compare with you.^(B)

³⁰ and the king said, “Is this not magnificent Babylon, which I have built as a royal capital by my mighty power and for my glorious majesty?”^(A)

¹⁰ Thus says the Lord God: On that day thoughts will come into your mind, and you will devise an evil scheme.^{(A) 11} You will say, “I will go up against the land of unwalled villages; I will fall upon the quiet people who live in safety, all of them living without walls and having no bars or gates,^(B)