Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

AYIN

Solomon's wisdom

²⁹ God gave Solomon wisdom so that he understood things well. He knew about everything, more things than there is sand on the shore of the sea! ³⁰ Solomon was wiser than all the wise men in the East and all the wise men in Egypt. ³¹ He was wiser than any other man. This includes Ethan the Ezrahite, as well as Heman, Calcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol.^[a] Solomon was famous in all the nations around Israel. ³² He wrote down 3,000 proverbs and he wrote 1,005 songs.^{[b] 33} He could describe many plants. These included large trees like cedar trees that grow in Lebanon and small plants like hyssop that grows on walls. He also taught people about all kinds of animals, birds, insects and fish.^{[c] 34} People came from all countries to listen to Solomon's wise teaching. Kings of all the nations in the world who heard about Solomon's wisdom sent people to learn from him.

How God helps us to be strong

¹⁰ At the end of my letter, I want to say this to you: Be united with the Lord, so that you are strong. Then his great power will help you. ¹¹ Use all the help that God gives to us. Then you can be like a soldier who fights against the Devil. You must put on the whole armour that God gives to us. The Devil attacks us in clever ways, and we need to be strong. ¹² We are not fighting against human enemies. Instead, we are fighting against the rulers and the powerful spirits that have authority over this dark world. We are fighting against the bad spirits who live in the heavens.

¹³ Because of that, take all the help that God gives, like it is your armour. Then, when the bad time comes, you will be able to stand strongly. You will not fall. After you have finished everything, you will still be standing strongly in your place.

¹⁴ So you must stand strongly. This is God's armour that you must wear: God's true message will be like a belt that you tie round your body.^[a] Always do what is right. That will be like a metal shirt that you wear to keep your body safe. ¹⁵ Be prepared to tell people the good news about peace with God. That will be like shoes on your feet. ¹⁶ As well as all that, have faith to trust God. That will be like a shield that you hold in front of you. It will stop the Devil from hurting you with his arrows that burn with fire.^{[b] 17} Remember that God has saved you from your sins. That will be like a strong hat that keeps your head safe. Also, use God's message to help you. That will be like a sword that God's Spirit puts in your hand.

¹⁸ As you stand strongly like that, always pray for God's help. Pray about everything as God's Spirit helps you to pray. For this purpose, watch carefully all the time. Also, continue to pray for all God's people everywhere.