Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

⁷ That night God appeared to Solomon and said, “Ask whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.”

⁸ “You showed so much kindness to my father David,” Solomon replied to God, “and you have made me king in his place. ⁹ Now, Lord God, let your promise to my father David be fulfilled because you have made me king over a people as numerous as the earth’s dust. ¹⁰ Give me wisdom and knowledge so I can lead this people, because no one can govern this great people of yours without your help.”

¹¹ God said to Solomon, “Since this is what you wish, and because you’ve asked for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I’ve made you king—rather than asking for wealth, riches, fame, victory over those who hate you, or even a long life— ¹² your request for wisdom and knowledge is granted. But I will also give you wealth, riches, and fame beyond that of any king before you or after you.” ¹³ Then Solomon went from^[a] the shrine in Gibeon, from the meeting tent to Jerusalem where he ruled over Israel.

³² “But nobody knows when that day or hour will come, not the angels in heaven and not the Son. Only the Father knows. ³³ Watch out! Stay alert! You don’t know when the time is coming. ³⁴ It is as if someone took a trip, left the household behind, and put the servants in charge, giving each one a job to do, and told the doorkeeper to stay alert. ³⁵ Therefore, stay alert! You don’t know when the head of the household will come,whether in the evening or at midnight, or when the rooster crows in the early morning or at daybreak. ³⁶ Don’t let him show up when you weren’t expecting and find you sleeping. ³⁷ What I say to you, I say to all: Stay alert!”