Solomon's Wisdom Seeks God's Guidance First

1. Solomon the son of David was firmly established in his kingdom, and Yahweh his God was with him, and made him exceedingly great. 2. Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, to the judges, and to every prince in all Israel, the heads of the fathers’ households. 3. So Solomon, and all the assembly with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon; for God’s Tent of Meeting was there, which Yahweh’s servant Moses had made in the wilderness. 4. But David had brought God’s ark up from Kiriath Jearim to the place that David had prepared for it; for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem. 5. Moreover the bronze altar that Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made was there before Yahweh’s tabernacle; and Solomon and the assembly were seeking counsel there. 6. Solomon went up there to the bronze altar before Yahweh, which was at the Tent of Meeting, and offered one thousand burnt offerings on it. 7. That night, God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for what you want me to give you.” 8. Solomon said to God, “You have shown great loving kindness to David my father, and have made me king in his place. 9. Now, Yahweh God, let your promise to David my father be established; for you have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. 10. Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of yours?” 11. God said to Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, nor yet have you asked for long life; but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge my people, over whom I have made you king, 12. therefore wisdom and knowledge is granted to you. I will give you riches, wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had who have been before you had, and none after you will have.” 13. So Solomon came from the high place that was at Gibeon, from before the Tent of Meeting, to Jerusalem; and he reigned over Israel. 14. Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen. He had one thousand four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen that he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem. 15. The king made silver and gold to be as common as stones in Jerusalem, and he made cedars to be as common as the sycamore trees that are in the lowland. 16. The horses which Solomon had were brought out of Egypt and from Kue. The king’s merchants purchased them from Kue. 17. They brought up and brought out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred pieces of silver, and a horse for one hundred fifty. They also exported them to the Hittite kings and the Syrian kings. 1. Now Solomon decided to build a house for Yahweh’s name, and a house for his kingdom. 2. Solomon counted out seventy thousand men to bear burdens, eighty thousand men who were stone cutters in the mountains, and three thousand six hundred to oversee them. 3. Solomon sent to Huram the king of Tyre, saying, “As you dealt with David my father, and sent him cedars to build him a house in which to dwell, so deal with me. 4. Behold, I am about to build a house for the name of Yahweh my God, to dedicate it to him, to burn before him incense of sweet spices, for the continual show bread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the Sabbaths, on the new moons, and on the set feasts of Yahweh our God. This is an ordinance forever to Israel. 5. “The house which I am building will be great; for our God is greater than all gods. 6. But who is able to build him a house, since heaven and the heaven of heavens can’t contain him? Who am I then, that I should build him a house, except just to burn incense before him? 7. “Now therefore send me a man skillful to work in gold, in silver, in brass, in iron, and in purple, crimson, and blue, and who knows how to engrave engravings, to be with the skillful men who are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father provided. 8. “Send me also cedar trees, cypress trees, and algum trees out of Lebanon; for I know that your servants know how to cut timber in Lebanon. Behold, my servants will be with your servants, 9. even to prepare me timber in abundance; for the house which I am about to build will be great and wonderful. 10. Behold, I will give to your servants, the cutters who cut timber, twenty thousand cors of beaten wheat, twenty thousand baths of barley, twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.” 11. Then Huram the king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon, “Because Yahweh loves his people, he has made you king over them.” 12. Huram continued, “Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, who has given to David the king a wise son, endowed with discretion and understanding, who would build a house for Yahweh, and a house for his kingdom. 13. Now I have sent a skillful man, endowed with understanding, of Huram my father’s, 14. the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan; and his father was a man of Tyre, skillful to work in gold, in silver, in brass, in iron, in stone, in timber, and in purple, in blue, in fine linen, and in crimson, also to engrave any kind of engraving and to devise any device; that there may be a place appointed to him with your skillful men, and with the skillful men of my lord David your father. 15. “Now therefore the wheat the barley, the oil and the wine, which my lord has spoken of, let him send to his servants; 16. and we will cut wood out of Lebanon, as much as you need. We will bring it to you in floats by sea to Joppa; and you shall carry it up to Jerusalem.” 17. Solomon counted all the foreigners who were in the land of Israel, after the census with which David his father had counted them; and they found one hundred fifty-three thousand six hundred. 18. He set seventy thousand of them to bear burdens, eighty thousand who were stone cutters in the mountains, and three thousand six hundred overseers to assign the people their work. 1. Then Solomon began to build Yahweh’s house at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where Yahweh appeared to David his father, which he prepared in the place that David had appointed, on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. 2. He began to build in the second day of the second month, in the fourth year of his reign. 3. Now these are the foundations which Solomon laid for the building of God’s house. The length by cubits after the first measure was sixty cubits, and the width twenty cubits. 4. The porch that was in front, its length, according to the width of the house, was twenty cubits, and the height one hundred twenty; and he overlaid it within with pure gold. 5. He made the larger room with a ceiling of cypress wood, which he overlaid with fine gold, and ornamented it with palm trees and chains. 6. He decorated the house with precious stones for beauty. The gold was gold from Parvaim. 7. He also overlaid the house, the beams, the thresholds, its walls, and its doors with gold; and engraved cherubim on the walls. 8. He made the most holy place. Its length, according to the width of the house, was twenty cubits, and its width twenty cubits; and he overlaid it with fine gold, amounting to six hundred talents. 9. The weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. He overlaid the upper rooms with gold. 10. In the most holy place he made two cherubim by carving; and they overlaid them with gold. 11. The wings of the cherubim were twenty cubits long: the wing of the one was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house; and the other wing was five cubits, reaching to the wing of the other cherub. 12. The wing of the other cherub was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house; and the other wing was five cubits, joining to the wing of the other cherub. 13. The wings of these cherubim spread themselves out twenty cubits. They stood on their feet, and their faces were toward the house. 14. He made the veil of blue, purple, crimson, and fine linen, and ornamented it with cherubim. 15. Also he made before the house two pillars of thirty-five cubits height, and the capital that was on the top of each of them was five cubits. 16. He made chains in the inner sanctuary, and put them on the tops of the pillars; and he made one hundred pomegranates, and put them on the chains. 17. He set up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand, and the other on the left; and called the name of that on the right hand Jachin, and the name of that on the left Boaz.

1. When we had departed from them and had set sail, we came with a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 2. Having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard, and set sail. 3. When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload her cargo. 4. Having found disciples, we stayed there seven days. These said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem. 5. When those days were over, we departed and went on our journey. They all, with wives and children, brought us on our way until we were out of the city. Kneeling down on the beach, we prayed. 6. After saying goodbye to each other, we went on board the ship, and they returned home again. 7. When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais. We greeted the brothers, and stayed with them one day. 8. On the next day, we, who were Paul’s companions, departed, and came to Caesarea. We entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. 9. Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. 10. As we stayed there some days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11. Coming to us, and taking Paul’s belt, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit: ‘So will the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and will deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” 12. When we heard these things, both we and they of that place begged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14. When he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The Lord’s will be done.” 15. After these days we took up our baggage and went up to Jerusalem. 16. Some of the disciples from Caesarea also went with us, bringing one Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we would stay. 17. When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly. 18. The day following, Paul went in with us to James; and all the elders were present. 19. When he had greeted them, he reported one by one the things which God had worked among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20. They, when they heard it, glorified God. They said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law. 21. They have been informed about you, that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children neither to walk after the customs. 22. What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come. 23. Therefore do what we tell you. We have four men who have taken a vow. 24. Take them, and purify yourself with them, and pay their expenses for them, that they may shave their heads. Then all will know that there is no truth in the things that they have been informed about you, but that you yourself also walk keeping the law. 25. But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written our decision that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from food offered to idols, from blood, from strangled things, and from sexual immorality.” 26. Then Paul took the men, and the next day, purified himself and went with them into the temple, declaring the fulfillment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them. 27. When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the multitude and laid hands on him, 28. crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place. Moreover, he also brought Greeks into the temple, and has defiled this holy place!” 29. For they had seen Trophimus, the Ephesian, with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. 30. All the city was moved, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple. Immediately the doors were shut. 31. As they were trying to kill him, news came up to the commanding officer of the regiment that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32. Immediately he took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. They, when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, stopped beating Paul. 33. Then the commanding officer came near, arrested him, commanded him to be bound with two chains, and inquired who he was and what he had done. 34. Some shouted one thing, and some another, among the crowd. When he couldn’t find out the truth because of the noise, he commanded him to be brought into the barracks. 35. When he came to the stairs, he was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd; 36. for the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, “Away with him!” 37. As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he asked the commanding officer, “May I speak to you?” He said, “Do you know Greek? 38. Aren’t you then the Egyptian, who before these days stirred up to sedition and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the Assassins?” 39. But Paul said, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city. I beg you, allow me to speak to the people.” 40. When he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with his hand to the people. When there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying, 1. “Brothers and fathers, listen to the defense which I now make to you.” 2. When they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they were even more quiet. He said, 3. “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict tradition of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as you all are today. 4. I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. 5. As also the high priest and all the council of the elders testify, from whom also I received letters to the brothers, and traveled to Damascus to bring them also who were there to Jerusalem in bonds to be punished. 6. As I made my journey, and came close to Damascus, about noon, suddenly a great light shone around me from the sky. 7. I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ 8. I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you persecute.’ 9. “Those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they didn’t understand the voice of him who spoke to me. 10. I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ The Lord said to me, ‘Arise, and go into Damascus. There you will be told about all things which are appointed for you to do.’ 11. When I couldn’t see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus. 12. One Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well reported of by all the Jews who lived in Damascus, 13. came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ In that very hour I looked up at him. 14. He said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice from his mouth. 15. For you will be a witness for him to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16. Now why do you wait? Arise, be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’ 17. “When I had returned to Jerusalem, and while I prayed in the temple, I fell into a trance, 18. and saw him saying to me, ‘Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not receive testimony concerning me from you.’ 19. I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue those who believed in you. 20. When the blood of Stephen, your witness, was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting to his death, and guarding the cloaks of those who killed him.’ 21. “He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you out far from here to the Gentiles.’” 22. They listened to him until he said that; then they lifted up their voice, and said, “Rid the earth of this fellow, for he isn’t fit to live!” 23. As they cried out, and threw off their cloaks, and threw dust into the air, 24. the commanding officer commanded him to be brought into the barracks, ordering him to be examined by scourging, that he might know for what crime they shouted against him like that. 25. When they had tied him up with thongs, Paul asked the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and not found guilty?” 26. When the centurion heard it, he went to the commanding officer and told him, “Watch what you are about to do, for this man is a Roman!” 27. The commanding officer came and asked him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” He said, “Yes.” 28. The commanding officer answered, “I bought my citizenship for a great price.” Paul said, “But I was born a Roman.” 29. Immediately those who were about to examine him departed from him, and the commanding officer also was afraid when he realized that he was a Roman, because he had bound him. 30. But on the next day, desiring to know the truth about why he was accused by the Jews, he freed him from the bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all the council to come together, and brought Paul down and set him before them. 1. Paul, looking steadfastly at the council, said, “Brothers, I have lived before God in all good conscience until today.” 2. The high priest, Ananias, commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3. Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to judge me according to the law, and command me to be struck contrary to the law?” 4. Those who stood by said, “Do you malign God’s high priest?” 5. Paul said, “I didn’t know, brothers, that he was high priest. For it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’” 6. But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. Concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!” 7. When he had said this, an argument arose between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the crowd was divided. 8. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess all of these. 9. A great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ part stood up, and contended, saying, “We find no evil in this man. But if a spirit or angel has spoken to him, let’s not fight against God!” 10. When a great argument arose, the commanding officer, fearing that Paul would be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks. 11. The following night, the Lord stood by him, and said, “Cheer up, Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome.” 12. When it was day, some of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. 13. There were more than forty people who had made this conspiracy. 14. They came to the chief priests and the elders, and said, “We have bound ourselves under a great curse, to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. 15. Now therefore, you with the council inform the commanding officer that he should bring him down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to judge his case more exactly. We are ready to kill him before he comes near.” 16. But Paul’s sister’s son heard they were lying in wait, and he came and entered into the barracks and told Paul. 17. Paul summoned one of the centurions, and said, “Bring this young man to the commanding officer, for he has something to tell him.” 18. So he took him, and brought him to the commanding officer, and said, “Paul, the prisoner, summoned me and asked me to bring this young man to you, who has something to tell you.” 19. The commanding officer took him by the hand, and going aside, asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?” 20. He said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though intending to inquire somewhat more accurately concerning him. 21. Therefore don’t yield to them, for more than forty men lie in wait for him, who have bound themselves under a curse neither to eat nor to drink until they have killed him. Now they are ready, looking for the promise from you.” 22. So the commanding officer let the young man go, charging him, “Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me.” 23. He called to himself two of the centurions, and said, “Prepare two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, with seventy horsemen, and two hundred men armed with spears, at the third hour of the night.” 24. He asked them to provide animals, that they might set Paul on one, and bring him safely to Felix the governor. 25. He wrote a letter like this: 26. “Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings. 27. “This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be killed by them, when I came with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman. 28. Desiring to know the cause why they accused him, I brought him down to their council. 29. I found him to be accused about questions of their law, but not to be charged with anything worthy of death or of imprisonment. 30. When I was told that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him to you immediately, charging his accusers also to bring their accusations against him before you. Farewell.” 31. So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32. But on the next day they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the barracks. 33. When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. 34. When the governor had read it, he asked what province he was from. When he understood that he was from Cilicia, he said, 35. “I will hear you fully when your accusers also arrive.” He commanded that he be kept in Herod’s palace. 1. After five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed the governor against Paul. 2. When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that prosperity is coming to this nation by your foresight, 3. we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 4. But, that I don’t delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words. 5. For we have found this man to be a plague, an instigator of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6. He even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested him. 7. 8. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.” 9. The Jews also joined in the attack, affirming that these things were so. 10. When the governor had beckoned to him to speak, Paul answered, “Because I know that you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I cheerfully make my defense, 11. seeing that you can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem. 12. In the temple they didn’t find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the synagogues, or in the city. 13. Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me. 14. But this I confess to you, that after the Way, which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets; 15. having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. 16. Herein I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men. 17. Now after some years, I came to bring gifts for the needy to my nation, and offerings; 18. amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a mob, nor with turmoil. 19. They ought to have been here before you, and to make accusation, if they had anything against me. 20. Or else let these men themselves say what injustice they found in me when I stood before the council, 21. unless it is for this one thing that I cried standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged before you today!’” 22. But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, “When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, I will decide your case.” 23. He ordered the centurion that Paul should be kept in custody, and should have some privileges, and not to forbid any of his friends to serve him or to visit him. 24. But after some days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus. 25. As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, “Go your way for this time, and when it is convenient for me, I will summon you.” 26. Meanwhile, he also hoped that money would be given to him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore also he sent for him more often, and talked with him. 27. But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.

1. Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever. 2. Let Israel now say that his loving kindness endures forever. 3. Let the house of Aaron now say that his loving kindness endures forever. 4. Now let those who fear Yahweh say that his loving kindness endures forever. 5. Out of my distress, I called on Yah. Yah answered me with freedom. 6. Yahweh is on my side. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? 7. Yahweh is on my side among those who help me. Therefore I will look in triumph at those who hate me. 8. It is better to take refuge in Yahweh, than to put confidence in man. 9. It is better to take refuge in Yahweh, than to put confidence in princes. 10. All the nations surrounded me, but in Yahweh’s name, I cut them off. 11. They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me. In Yahweh’s name I indeed cut them off. 12. They surrounded me like bees. They are quenched like the burning thorns. In Yahweh’s name I cut them off. 13. You pushed me back hard, to make me fall, but Yahweh helped me. 14. Yah is my strength and song. He has become my salvation. 15. The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous. “The right hand of Yahweh does valiantly. 16. The right hand of Yahweh is exalted! The right hand of Yahweh does valiantly!” 17. I will not die, but live, and declare Yah’s works. 18. Yah has punished me severely, but he has not given me over to death. 19. Open to me the gates of righteousness. I will enter into them. I will give thanks to Yah. 20. This is the gate of Yahweh; the righteous will enter into it. 21. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me, and have become my salvation. 22. The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 23. This is Yahweh’s doing. It is marvelous in our eyes. 24. This is the day that Yahweh has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it! 25. Save us now, we beg you, Yahweh! Yahweh, we beg you, send prosperity now. 26. Blessed is he who comes in Yahweh’s name! We have blessed you out of Yahweh’s house. 27. Yahweh is God, and he has given us light. Bind the sacrifice with cords, even to the horns of the altar. 28. You are my God, and I will give thanks to you. You are my God, I will exalt you. 29. Oh give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.