Monday, September 13, 2027

²²And Solomon stood up in front of the altar before all the congregation of Israel; and he spread out his hands toward heaven: ²³and he said, Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee in heaven above and on the earth beneath, keeping covenant and mercy with thy servant who walks before thee with all his heart;

²⁷But will God indeed dwell with men upon the earth? if the heaven and heaven of heavens will not suffice thee, how much less even this house which I have built to thy name? ²⁸Yet, O Lord God of Israel, thou shalt look upon my petition, to hear the prayer which thy servant prays to thee in thy presence this day, ²⁹that thine eyes may be open toward this house day and night, even toward the place of which thou saidst, My name shall be there, to hear the prayer which thy servant prays at this place day and night. ³⁰And thou shalt hearken to the prayer of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, which they shall pray toward this place; and thou shalt hear in thy dwelling-place in heaven, and thou shalt do and be gracious.

¹⁹God by wisdom founded the earth, and by prudence he prepared the heavens. ²⁰By understanding were the depths broken up, and the clouds dropped water.

²¹My son, let them not pass from thee, but keep my counsel and understanding: ²²that thy soul may live, and that there may be grace round thy neck; ²³that thou mayest go confidently in peace in all thy ways, and that thy foot may not stumble. ²⁴For if thou rest, thou shalt be undismayed; and if thou sleep, thou shalt slumber sweetly. ²⁵And thou shalt not be afraid of alarm coming upon thee, neither of approaching attacks of ungodly men. ²⁶For the Lord shall be over all thy ways, and shall establish thy foot that thou be not moved.

²⁷Forbear not to do good to the poor, whensoever thy hand may have power to help him. ²⁸Say not, Come back another time, to-morrow I will give; while thou art able to do him good: for thou knowest not what the next day will bring forth. ²⁹Devise not evil against thy friend, living near thee and trusting in thee.

³⁰Be not ready to quarrel with a man without a cause, lest he do thee some harm.

³¹Procure not the reproaches of bad men, neither do thou covet their ways. ³²For every transgressor is unclean before the Lord; neither does he sit among the righteous. ³³The curse of God is in the houses of the ungodly; but the habitations of the just are blessed. ³⁴The Lord resists the proud; but he gives grace to the humble.

¹Wisdom has built a house for herself, and set up seven pillars. ²She has killed her beasts; she has mingled her wine in a bowl, and prepared her table. ³She has sent forth her servants, calling with a loud proclamation to the feast, saying, ⁴Whoso is foolish, let him turn aside to me: and to them that want understanding she says, ⁵Come, eat of my bread, and drink wine which I have mingled for you.

⁶Leave folly, that ye may reign for ever; and seek wisdom, and improve understanding by knowledge. ⁷He that reproves evil men shall get dishonour to himself; and he that rebukes an ungodly man shall disgrace himself. ⁸Rebuke not evil men, lest they should hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. ⁹Give an opportunity to a wise man, and he will be wiser: instruct a just man, and he will receive more instruction. ¹⁰The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the counsel of saints is understanding: ¹¹For in this way thou shalt live long, and years of thy life shall be added to thee.