Youth and Old Age

⁷ Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun.^(A)

¹⁷ As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches but rather on God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.^{(A) 18} They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share,^{(B) 19} thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.

⁸ And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly, for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.^{(A) 9} And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth^[a] so that when it is gone they may welcome you into the eternal homes.^[b](B)

¹³ Then I saw that wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness.

¹⁵ Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man.^{(A) 16} So I said, “Wisdom is better than might; yet the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heeded.”^(B)

⁶ And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you, and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne today.^{(A) 7} And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.^{(B) 8} And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted.^{(C) 9} Give your servant, therefore, an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil, for who can govern this great people of yours?”^(D)