And may the LORD your God give you insight and wisdom so that you may govern Israel according to his Law.

Give my son Solomon a wholehearted desire to obey everything that you command and to build the Temple for which I have made these preparations."

so give me the wisdom and knowledge I need to rule over them. Otherwise, how would I ever be able to rule this great people of yours?"

Explain your law to me, and I will obey it; I will keep it with all my heart.

You created me, and you keep me safe; give me understanding, so that I may learn your laws.

Your instructions are always just; give me understanding, and I shall live.

Yes, beg for knowledge; plead for insight.

If you do, you will know what it means to fear the LORD and you will succeed in learning about God.

He provides help and protection for those who are righteous and honest.

If you listen to me, you will know what is right, just, and fair. You will know what you should do.

Happy is anyone who becomes wise---who comes to have understanding.

Wisdom is more valuable than jewels; nothing you could want can compare with it.

Wisdom can make your life pleasant and lead you safely through it.

It is better---much better---to have wisdom and knowledge than gold and silver.

But if any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all.

But the wisdom from above is pure first of all; it is also peaceful, gentle, and friendly; it is full of compassion and produces a harvest of good deeds; it is free from prejudice and hypocrisy.

The LORD has given us eyes to see with and ears to listen with.

When the people of Israel heard of Solomon's decision, they were all filled with deep respect for him, because they knew then that God had given him the wisdom to settle disputes fairly.

Teach the king to judge with your righteousness, O God; share with him your own justice,

so that he will rule over your people with justice and govern the oppressed with righteousness.

Why is a clever person wise? Because he knows what to do. Why is a stupid person foolish? Because he only thinks he knows.

Everyone who lives ought to be wise; it is as good as receiving an inheritance

Wisdom does more for a person than ten rulers can do for a city.

Someone lived there who was poor, but so clever that he could have saved the town. But no one thought about him.

It is better to listen to the quiet words of someone wise than to the shouts of a ruler at a council of fools.

"I can do nothing on my own authority; I judge only as God tells me, so my judgment is right, because I am not trying to do what I want, but only what he who sent me wants.

I said to myself that your promise, sir, would make me safe, because the king is like God's angel and can distinguish good from evil. May the LORD your God be with you!"

The spirit of the LORD will give him wisdom and the knowledge and skill to rule his people. He will know the LORD's will and honor him,

he will judge the poor fairly and defend the rights of the helpless. At his command the people will be punished, and evil persons will die.

Whoever does not have the Spirit cannot receive the gifts that come from God's Spirit. Such a person really does not understand them, and they seem to be nonsense, because their value can be judged only on a spiritual basis.

Whoever has the Spirit, however, is able to judge the value of everything, but no one is able to judge him.

Don't be fools, then, but try to find out what the Lord wants you to do.

so that you will be able to choose what is best. Then you will be free from all impurity and blame on the Day of Christ.

Solid food, on the other hand, is for adults, who through practice are able to distinguish between good and evil.

But Moses said to God, "I am nobody. How can I go to the king and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"

God answered, "I will be with you, and when you bring the people out of Egypt, you will worship me on this mountain. That will be the proof that I have sent you."

But Moses said, "No, LORD, don't send me. I have never been a good speaker, and I haven't become one since you began to speak to me. I am a poor speaker, slow and hesitant."

Now, go! I will help you to speak, and I will tell you what to say."

I answered, "Sovereign LORD, I don't know how to speak; I am too young."

I baptize you with water to show that you have repented, but the one who will come after me will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. He is much greater than I am; and I am not good enough even to carry his sandals.

But John tried to make him change his mind. "I ought to be baptized by you," John said, "and yet you have come to me!"

For those who are being lost, it is a deadly stench that kills; but for those who are being saved, it is a fragrance that brings life. Who, then, is capable for such a task?

There is nothing in us that allows us to claim that we are capable of doing this work. The capacity we have comes from God;