⁹ “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion^(A) and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart^(B) and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him,^(C) he will be found by you; but if you forsake^(D) him, he will reject^(E) you forever.

¹⁴ For he himself is our peace,^(A) who has made the two groups one^(B) and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, ¹⁵ by setting aside in his flesh^(C) the law with its commands and regulations.^(D) His purpose was to create in himself one^(E) new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross,^(F) by which he put to death their hostility. ¹⁷ He came and preached peace^(G) to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.^(H)

⁷ And the peace of God,^(A) which transcends all understanding,^(B) will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.