Remember Your Creator While Young

¹⁷ Command those who are rich^(A) in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth,^(B) which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God,^(C) who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.^{(D) 18} Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds,^(E) and to be generous and willing to share.^{(F) 19} In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves^(G) as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of^(H) the life that is truly life.

⁸ “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world^(A) are more shrewd^(B) in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.^{(C) 9} I tell you, use worldly wealth^(D) to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.^(E)

¹⁵ Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man.^{(A) 16} So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded.^(B)

⁶ Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful^(A) to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son^(B) to sit on his throne this very day.

⁷ “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child^(C) and do not know how to carry out my duties. ⁸ Your servant is here among the people you have chosen,^(D) a great people, too numerous to count or number.^{(E) 9} So give your servant a discerning^(F) heart to govern your people and to distinguish^(G) between right and wrong. For who is able^(H) to govern this great people of yours?”