Proverbs 11:1-31

(11:1) A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight. (2) When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. (3) The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. (4) Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. (5) The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight, but the wicked falls by his own wickedness. (6) The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust. (7) When the wicked dies, his hope will perish, and the expectation of wealth perishes too. (8) The righteous is delivered from trouble, and the wicked walks into it instead. (9) With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered. (10) When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness. (11) By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown. (12) Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent. (13) Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered. (14) Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. (15) Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm, but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure. (16) A gracious woman gets honor, and violent men get riches. (17) A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself. (18) The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward. (19) Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live, but he who pursues evil will die. (20) Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the LORD, but those of blameless ways are his delight. (21) Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered. (22) Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman without discretion. (23) The desire of the righteous ends only in good; the expectation of the wicked in wrath. (24) One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. (25) Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. (26) The people curse him who holds back grain, but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it. (27) Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to him who searches for it. (28) Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf. (29) Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart. (30) The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise. (31) If the righteous is repaid on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!

Proverbs 10:1-32

(10:1) The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother. (2) Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death. (3) The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked. (4) A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. (5) He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame. (6) Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. (7) The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. (8) The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin. (9) Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. (10) Whoever winks the eye causes trouble, but a babbling fool will come to ruin. (11) The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. (12) Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. (13) On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense. (14) The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near. (15) A rich man's wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin. (16) The wage of the righteous leads to life, the gain of the wicked to sin. (17) Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray. (18) The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool. (19) When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. (20) The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth. (21) The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense. (22) The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. (23) Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding. (24) What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted. (25) When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous is established forever. (26) Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him. (27) The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short. (28) The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish. (29) The way of the LORD is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers. (30) The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land. (31) The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. (32) The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.

Proverbs 9:1-18

(9:1) Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. (2) She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. (3) She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town, (4) "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" To him who lacks sense she says, (5) "Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. (6) Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight." (7) Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. (8) Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. (9) Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. (10) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. (11) For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life. (12) If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it. (13) The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows nothing. (14) She sits at the door of her house; she takes a seat on the highest places of the town, (15) calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way, (16) "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" And to him who lacks sense she says, (17) "Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant." (18) But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

Proverbs 8:1-36

(8:1) Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice? (2) On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; (3) beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud: (4) "To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man. (5) O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense. (6) Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right, (7) for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips. (8) All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them. (9) They are all straight to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge. (10) Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, (11) for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her. (12) "I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. (13) The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. (14) I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength. (15) By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just; (16) by me princes rule, and nobles, all who govern justly. (17) I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me. (18) Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness. (19) My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver. (20) I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice, (21) granting an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries. (22) "The LORD possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old. (23) Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth. (24) When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water. (25) Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth, (26) before he had made the earth with its fields, or the first of the dust of the world. (27) When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep, (28) when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep, (29) when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, (30) then I was beside him, like a master workman, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always, (31) rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the children of man. (32) "And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways. (33) Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. (34) Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. (35) For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD, (36) but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death."

Proverbs 7:1-27

(7:1) My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; (2) keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; (3) bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. (4) Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and call insight your intimate friend, (5) to keep you from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words. (6) For at the window of my house I have looked out through my lattice, (7) and I have seen among the simple, I have perceived among the youths, a young man lacking sense, (8) passing along the street near her corner, taking the road to her house (9) in the twilight, in the evening, at the time of night and darkness. (10) And behold, the woman meets him, dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart. (11) She is loud and wayward; her feet do not stay at home; (12) now in the street, now in the market, and at every corner she lies in wait. (13) She seizes him and kisses him, and with bold face she says to him, (14) "I had to offer sacrifices, and today I have paid my vows; (15) so now I have come out to meet you, to seek you eagerly, and I have found you. (16) I have spread my couch with coverings, colored linens from Egyptian linen; (17) I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. (18) Come, let us take our fill of love till morning; let us delight ourselves with love. (19) For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey; (20) he took a bag of money with him; at full moon he will come home." (21) With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him. (22) All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast (23) till an arrow pierces its liver; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life. (24) And now, O sons, listen to me, and be attentive to the words of my mouth. (25) Let not your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths, (26) for many a victim has she laid low, and all her slain are a mighty throng. (27) Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death.

Proverbs 6:1-35

(6:1) My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, have given your pledge for a stranger, (2) if you are snared in the words of your mouth, caught in the words of your mouth, (3) then do this, my son, and save yourself, for you have come into the hand of your neighbor: go, hasten, and plead urgently with your neighbor. (4) Give your eyes no sleep and your eyelids no slumber; (5) save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the hand of the fowler. (6) Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. (7) Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, (8) she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. (9) How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? (10) A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, (11) and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man. (12) A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech, (13) winks with his eyes, signals with his feet, points with his finger, (14) with perverted heart devises evil, continually sowing discord; (15) therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly; in a moment he will be broken beyond healing. (16) There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: (17) haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, (18) a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, (19) a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. (20) My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching. (21) Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck. (22) When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you. (23) For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life, (24) to preserve you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress. (25) Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes; (26) for the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread, but a married woman hunts down a precious life. (27) Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned? (28) Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched? (29) So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife; none who touches her will go unpunished. (30) People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry, (31) but if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold; he will give all the goods of his house. (32) He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself. (33) He will get wounds and dishonor, and his disgrace will not be wiped away. (34) For jealousy makes a man furious, and he will not spare when he takes revenge. (35) He will accept no compensation; he will refuse though you multiply gifts.

Proverbs 5:1-23

(5:1) My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding, (2) that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge. (3) For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, (4) but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. (5) Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol; (6) she does not ponder the path of life; her ways wander, and she does not know it. (7) And now, O sons, listen to me, and do not depart from the words of my mouth. (8) Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house, (9) lest you give your honor to others and your years to the merciless, (10) lest strangers take their fill of your strength, and your labors go to the house of a foreigner, (11) and at the end of your life you groan, when your flesh and body are consumed, (12) and you say, "How I hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof! (13) I did not listen to the voice of my teachers or incline my ear to my instructors. (14) I am at the brink of utter ruin in the assembled congregation." (15) Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well. (16) Should your springs be scattered abroad, streams of water in the streets? (17) Let them be for yourself alone, and not for strangers with you. (18) Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, (19) a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love. (20) Why should you be intoxicated, my son, with a forbidden woman and embrace the bosom of an adulteress? (21) For a man's ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and he ponders all his paths. (22) The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cords of his sin. (23) He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he is led astray.

Proverbs 4:1-27

(4:1) Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, (2) for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching. (3) When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, (4) he taught me and said to me, "Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live. (5) Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. (6) Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. (7) The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. (8) Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. (9) She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown." (10) Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many. (11) I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. (12) When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble. (13) Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life. (14) Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. (15) Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on. (16) For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble. (17) For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. (18) But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. (19) The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble. (20) My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. (21) Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. (22) For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. (23) Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. (24) Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. (25) Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. (26) Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. (27) Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.

Proverbs 3:1-35

(3:1) My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, (2) for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. (3) Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. (4) So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. (5) Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (6) In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (7) Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. (8) It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. (9) Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; (10) then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. (11) My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline or be weary of his reproof, (12) for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. (13) Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, (14) for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. (15) She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. (16) Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. (17) Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. (18) She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed. (19) The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; (20) by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew. (21) My son, do not lose sight of these-- keep sound wisdom and discretion, (22) and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. (23) Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. (24) If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. (25) Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, (26) for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught. (27) Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. (28) Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it"--when you have it with you. (29) Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you. (30) Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm. (31) Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways, (32) for the devious person is an abomination to the LORD, but the upright are in his confidence. (33) The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous. (34) Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor. (35) The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.

Proverbs 2:1-22

(2:1) My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, (2) making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; (3) yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, (4) if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, (5) then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. (6) For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; (7) he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, (8) guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints. (9) Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; (10) for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; (11) discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, (12) delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech, (13) who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness, (14) who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil, (15) men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways. (16) So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words, (17) who forsakes the companion of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God; (18) for her house sinks down to death, and her paths to the departed; (19) none who go to her come back, nor do they regain the paths of life. (20) So you will walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous. (21) For the upright will inhabit the land, and those with integrity will remain in it, (22) but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the treacherous will be rooted out of it.

Proverbs 1:1-33

(1) The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: (2) To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, (3) to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; (4) to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth-- (5) Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, (6) to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. (7) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. (8) Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching, (9) for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck. (10) My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. (11) If they say, "Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood; let us ambush the innocent without reason; (12) like Sheol let us swallow them alive, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; (13) we shall find all precious goods, we shall fill our houses with plunder; (14) throw in your lot among us; we will all have one purse"-- (15) my son, do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths, (16) for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood. (17) For in vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird, (18) but these men lie in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives. (19) Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain; it takes away the life of its possessors. (20) Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; (21) at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: (22) "How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? (23) If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you. (24) Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, (25) because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, (26) I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you, (27) when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. (28) Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. (29) Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, (30) would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, (31) therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices. (32) For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; (33) but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster."

1 Kings 4:1-34

(4:1) King Solomon was king over all Israel, (2) and these were his high officials: Azariah the son of Zadok was the priest; (3) Elihoreph and Ahijah the sons of Shisha were secretaries; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; (4) Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was in command of the army; Zadok and Abiathar were priests; (5) Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers; Zabud the son of Nathan was priest and king's friend; (6) Ahishar was in charge of the palace; and Adoniram the son of Abda was in charge of the forced labor. (7) Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, who provided food for the king and his household. Each man had to make provision for one month in the year. (8) These were their names: Ben-hur, in the hill country of Ephraim; (9) Ben-deker, in Makaz, Shaalbim, Beth-shemesh, and Elonbeth-hanan; (10) Ben-hesed, in Arubboth (to him belonged Socoh and all the land of Hepher); (11) Ben-abinadab, in all Naphath-dor (he had Taphath the daughter of Solomon as his wife); (12) Baana the son of Ahilud, in Taanach, Megiddo, and all Beth-shean that is beside Zarethan below Jezreel, and from Beth-shean to Abel-meholah, as far as the other side of Jokmeam; (13) Ben-geber, in Ramoth-gilead (he had the villages of Jair the son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead, and he had the region of Argob, which is in Bashan, sixty great cities with walls and bronze bars); (14) Ahinadab the son of Iddo, in Mahanaim; (15) Ahimaaz, in Naphtali (he had taken Basemath the daughter of Solomon as his wife); (16) Baana the son of Hushai, in Asher and Bealoth; (17) Jehoshaphat the son of Paruah, in Issachar; (18) Shimei the son of Ela, in Benjamin; (19) Geber the son of Uri, in the land of Gilead, the country of Sihon king of the Amorites and of Og king of Bashan. And there was one governor who was over the land. (20) Judah and Israel were as many as the sand by the sea. They ate and drank and were happy. (21) Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt. They brought tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life. (22) Solomon's provision for one day was thirty cors of fine flour and sixty cors of meal, (23) ten fat oxen, and twenty pasture-fed cattle, a hundred sheep, besides deer, gazelles, roebucks, and fattened fowl. (24) For he had dominion over all the region west of the Euphrates from Tiphsah to Gaza, over all the kings west of the Euphrates. And he had peace on all sides around him. (25) And Judah and Israel lived in safety, from Dan even to Beersheba, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, all the days of Solomon. (26) Solomon also had 40,000 stalls of horses for his chariots, and 12,000 horsemen. (27) And those officers supplied provisions for King Solomon, and for all who came to King Solomon's table, each one in his month. They let nothing be lacking. (28) Barley also and straw for the horses and swift steeds they brought to the place where it was required, each according to his duty. (29) And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore, (30) so that Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. (31) For he was wiser than all other men, wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol, and his fame was in all the surrounding nations. (32) He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005. (33) He spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of the wall. He spoke also of beasts, and of birds, and of reptiles, and of fish. (34) And people of all nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom.

1 Kings 3:1-28

(3:1) Solomon made a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt. He took Pharaoh's daughter and brought her into the city of David until he had finished building his own house and the house of the LORD and the wall around Jerusalem. (2) The people were sacrificing at the high places, however, because no house had yet been built for the name of the LORD. (3) Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places. (4) And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. (5) At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, "Ask what I shall give you." (6) And Solomon said, "You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. (7) And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. (8) And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. (9) Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?" (10) It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. (11) And God said to him, "Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, (12) behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. (13) I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. (14) And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days." (15) And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants. (16) Then two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. (17) The one woman said, "Oh, my lord, this woman and I live in the same house, and I gave birth to a child while she was in the house. (18) Then on the third day after I gave birth, this woman also gave birth. And we were alone. There was no one else with us in the house; only we two were in the house. (19) And this woman's son died in the night, because she lay on him. (20) And she arose at midnight and took my son from beside me, while your servant slept, and laid him at her breast, and laid her dead son at my breast. (21) When I rose in the morning to nurse my child, behold, he was dead. But when I looked at him closely in the morning, behold, he was not the child that I had borne." (22) But the other woman said, "No, the living child is mine, and the dead child is yours." The first said, "No, the dead child is yours, and the living child is mine." Thus they spoke before the king. (23) Then the king said, "The one says, 'This is my son that is alive, and your son is dead'; and the other says, 'No; but your son is dead, and my son is the living one.'" (24) And the king said, "Bring me a sword." So a sword was brought before the king. (25) And the king said, "Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other." (26) Then the woman whose son was alive said to the king, because her heart yearned for her son, "Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means put him to death." But the other said, "He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him." (27) Then the king answered and said, "Give the living child to the first woman, and by no means put him to death; she is his mother." (28) And all Israel heard of the judgment that the king had rendered, and they stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice.

1 Kings 2:1-46

1 Kings (2:1) When David's time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son, saying, (2) "I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, (3) and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn, (4) that the LORD may establish his word that he spoke concerning me, saying, 'If your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.' (5) "Moreover, you also know what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, how he dealt with the two commanders of the armies of Israel, Abner the son of Ner, and Amasa the son of Jether, whom he killed, avenging in time of peace for blood that had been shed in war, and putting the blood of war on the belt around his waist and on the sandals on his feet. (6) Act therefore according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace. (7) But deal loyally with the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, for with such loyalty they met me when I fled from Absalom your brother. (8) And there is also with you Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim, who cursed me with a grievous curse on the day when I went to Mahanaim. But when he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the LORD, saying, 'I will not put you to death with the sword.' (9) Now therefore do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man. You will know what you ought to do to him, and you shall bring his gray head down with blood to Sheol." (10) Then David slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David. (11) And the time that David reigned over Israel was forty years. He reigned seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. (12) So Solomon sat on the throne of David his father, and his kingdom was firmly established. (13) Then Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. And she said, "Do you come peacefully?" He said, "Peacefully." (14) Then he said, "I have something to say to you." She said, "Speak." (15) He said, "You know that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel fully expected me to reign. However, the kingdom has turned about and become my brother's, for it was his from the LORD. (16) And now I have one request to make of you; do not refuse me." She said to him, "Speak." (17) And he said, "Please ask King Solomon--he will not refuse you--to give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife." (18) Bathsheba said, "Very well; I will speak for you to the king." (19) So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him on behalf of Adonijah. And the king rose to meet her and bowed down to her. Then he sat on his throne and had a seat brought for the king's mother, and she sat on his right. (20) Then she said, "I have one small request to make of you; do not refuse me." And the king said to her, "Make your request, my mother, for I will not refuse you." (21) She said, "Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah your brother as his wife." (22) King Solomon answered his mother, "And why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom also, for he is my older brother, and on his side are Abiathar the priest and Joab the son of Zeruiah." (23) Then King Solomon swore by the LORD, saying, "God do so to me and more also if this word does not cost Adonijah his life! (24) Now therefore as the LORD lives, who has established me and placed me on the throne of David my father, and who has made me a house, as he promised, Adonijah shall be put to death today." (25) So King Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and he struck him down, and he died. (26) And to Abiathar the priest the king said, "Go to Anathoth, to your estate, for you deserve death. But I will not at this time put you to death, because you carried the ark of the Lord GOD before David my father, and because you shared in all my father's affliction." (27) So Solomon expelled Abiathar from being priest to the LORD, thus fulfilling the word of the LORD that he had spoken concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh. (28) When the news came to Joab--for Joab had supported Adonijah although he had not supported Absalom--Joab fled to the tent of the LORD and caught hold of the horns of the altar. (29) And when it was told King Solomon, "Joab has fled to the tent of the LORD, and behold, he is beside the altar," Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, "Go, strike him down." (30) So Benaiah came to the tent of the LORD and said to him, "The king commands, 'Come out.'" But he said, "No, I will die here." Then Benaiah brought the king word again, saying, "Thus said Joab, and thus he answered me." (31) The king replied to him, "Do as he has said, strike him down and bury him, and thus take away from me and from my father's house the guilt for the blood that Joab shed without cause. (32) The LORD will bring back his bloody deeds on his own head, because, without the knowledge of my father David, he attacked and killed with the sword two men more righteous and better than himself, Abner the son of Ner, commander of the army of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, commander of the army of Judah. (33) So shall their blood come back on the head of Joab and on the head of his descendants forever. But for David and for his descendants and for his house and for his throne there shall be peace from the LORD forevermore." (34) Then Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up and struck him down and put him to death. And he was buried in his own house in the wilderness. (35) The king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada over the army in place of Joab, and the king put Zadok the priest in the place of Abiathar. (36) Then the king sent and summoned Shimei and said to him, "Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and dwell there, and do not go out from there to any place whatever. (37) For on the day you go out and cross the brook Kidron, know for certain that you shall die. Your blood shall be on your own head." (38) And Shimei said to the king, "What you say is good; as my lord the king has said, so will your servant do." So Shimei lived in Jerusalem many days. (39) But it happened at the end of three years that two of Shimei's servants ran away to Achish, son of Maacah, king of Gath. And when it was told Shimei, "Behold, your servants are in Gath," (40) Shimei arose and saddled a donkey and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants. Shimei went and brought his servants from Gath. (41) And when Solomon was told that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and returned, (42) the king sent and summoned Shimei and said to him, "Did I not make you swear by the LORD and solemnly warn you, saying, 'Know for certain that on the day you go out and go to any place whatever, you shall die'? And you said to me, 'What you say is good; I will obey.' (43) Why then have you not kept your oath to the LORD and the commandment with which I commanded you?" (44) The king also said to Shimei, "You know in your own heart all the harm that you did to David my father. So the LORD will bring back your harm on your own head. (45) But King Solomon shall be blessed, and the throne of David shall be established before the LORD forever." (46) Then the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck him down, and he died. So the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.

1 Kings 1:1-53

1Kings 1:1-53 Now King David was old and advanced in years. And although they covered him with clothes, he could not get warm. (2) Therefore his servants said to him, "Let a young woman be sought for my lord the king, and let her wait on the king and be in his service. Let her lie in your arms, that my lord the king may be warm." (3) So they sought for a beautiful young woman throughout all the territory of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king. (4) The young woman was very beautiful, and she was of service to the king and attended to him, but the king knew her not. (5) Now Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, "I will be king." And he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. (6) His father had never at any time displeased him by asking, "Why have you done thus and so?" He was also a very handsome man, and he was born next after Absalom. (7) He conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest. And they followed Adonijah and helped him. (8) But Zadok the priest and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada and Nathan the prophet and Shimei and Rei and David's mighty men were not with Adonijah. (9) Adonijah sacrificed sheep, oxen, and fattened cattle by the Serpent's Stone, which is beside En-rogel, and he invited all his brothers, the king's sons, and all the royal officials of Judah, (10) but he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the mighty men or Solomon his brother. (11) Then Nathan said to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, "Have you not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith has become king and David our lord does not know it? (12) Now therefore come, let me give you advice, that you may save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. (13) Go in at once to King David, and say to him, 'Did you not, my lord the king, swear to your servant, saying, "Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne"? Why then is Adonijah king?' (14) Then while you are still speaking with the king, I also will come in after you and confirm your words." (15) So Bathsheba went to the king in his chamber (now the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was attending to the king). (16) Bathsheba bowed and paid homage to the king, and the king said, "What do you desire?" (17) She said to him, "My lord, you swore to your servant by the LORD your God, saying, 'Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.' (18) And now, behold, Adonijah is king, although you, my lord the king, do not know it. (19) He has sacrificed oxen, fattened cattle, and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the sons of the king, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the commander of the army, but Solomon your servant he has not invited. (20) And now, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, to tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. (21) Otherwise it will come to pass, when my lord the king sleeps with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be counted offenders." (22) While she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet came in. (23) And they told the king, "Here is Nathan the prophet." And when he came in before the king, he bowed before the king, with his face to the ground. (24) And Nathan said, "My lord the king, have you said, 'Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne'? (25) For he has gone down this day and has sacrificed oxen, fattened cattle, and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the king's sons, the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest. And behold, they are eating and drinking before him, and saying, 'Long live King Adonijah!' (26) But me, your servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon he has not invited. (27) Has this thing been brought about by my lord the king and you have not told your servants who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?" (28) Then King David answered, "Call Bathsheba to me." So she came into the king's presence and stood before the king. (29) And the king swore, saying, "As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my soul out of every adversity, (30) as I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel, saying, 'Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place,' even so will I do this day." (31) Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the ground and paid homage to the king and said, "May my lord King David live forever!" (32) King David said, "Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada." So they came before the king. (33) And the king said to them, "Take with you the servants of your lord and have Solomon my son ride on my own mule, and bring him down to Gihon. (34) And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet there anoint him king over Israel. Then blow the trumpet and say, 'Long live King Solomon!' (35) You shall then come up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne, for he shall be king in my place. And I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah." (36) And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, "Amen! May the LORD, the God of my lord the king, say so. (37) As the LORD has been with my lord the king, even so may he be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord King David." (38) So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride on King David's mule and brought him to Gihon. (39) There Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tent and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the trumpet, and all the people said, "Long live King Solomon!" (40) And all the people went up after him, playing on pipes, and rejoicing with great joy, so that the earth was split by their noise. (41) Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they finished feasting. And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, "What does this uproar in the city mean?" (42) While he was still speaking, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came. And Adonijah said, "Come in, for you are a worthy man and bring good news." (43) Jonathan answered Adonijah, "No, for our lord King David has made Solomon king, (44) and the king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites. And they had him ride on the king's mule. (45) And Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon, and they have gone up from there rejoicing, so that the city is in an uproar. This is the noise that you have heard. (46) Solomon sits on the royal throne. (47) Moreover, the king's servants came to congratulate our lord King David, saying, 'May your God make the name of Solomon more famous than yours, and make his throne greater than your throne.' And the king bowed himself on the bed. (48) And the king also said, 'Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who has granted someone to sit on my throne this day, my own eyes seeing it.'" (49) Then all the guests of Adonijah trembled and rose, and each went his own way. (50) And Adonijah feared Solomon. So he arose and went and took hold of the horns of the altar. (51) Then it was told Solomon, "Behold, Adonijah fears King Solomon, for behold, he has laid hold of the horns of the altar, saying, 'Let King Solomon swear to me first that he will not put his servant to death with the sword.'" (52) And Solomon said, "If he will show himself a worthy man, not one of his hairs shall fall to the earth, but if wickedness is found in him, he shall die." (53) So King Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and paid homage to King Solomon, and Solomon said to him, "Go to your house."

Psalm 145:1-21

(145:1) A Song of Praise. Of David. I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. (2) Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. (3) Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. (4) One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. (5) On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. (6) They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness. (7) They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness. (8) The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. (9) The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made. (10) All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you! (11) They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, (12) to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. (13) Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. (The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.) (14) The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. (15) The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. (16) You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing. (17) The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works. (18) The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. (19) He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. (20) The LORD preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. (21) My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.

Psalm 144:1-15

(144:1) Of David. Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; (2) he is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me. (3) O LORD, what is man that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him? (4) Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow. (5) Bow your heavens, O LORD, and come down! Touch the mountains so that they smoke! (6) Flash forth the lightning and scatter them; send out your arrows and rout them! (7) Stretch out your hand from on high; rescue me and deliver me from the many waters, from the hand of foreigners, (8) whose mouths speak lies and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood. (9) I will sing a new song to you, O God; upon a ten-stringed harp I will play to you, (10) who gives victory to kings, who rescues David his servant from the cruel sword. (11) Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of foreigners, whose mouths speak lies and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood. (12) May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars cut for the structure of a palace; (13) may our granaries be full, providing all kinds of produce; may our sheep bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields; (14) may our cattle be heavy with young, suffering no mishap or failure in bearing; may there be no cry of distress in our streets! (15) Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall! Blessed are the people whose God is the LORD!

Psalm 143:1-12

(143:1) A Psalm of David. Hear my prayer, O LORD; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness! (2) Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you. (3) For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead. (4) Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled. (5) I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands. (6) I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah (7) Answer me quickly, O LORD! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit. (8) Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. (9) Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD! I have fled to you for refuge! (10) Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! (11) For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble! (12) And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies, and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul, for I am your servant.

Psalm 141:1-10

(141:1) A Psalm of David. O LORD, I call upon you; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to you! (2) Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice! (3) Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! (4) Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies! (5) Let a righteous man strike me--it is a kindness; let him rebuke me--it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it. Yet my prayer is continually against their evil deeds. (6) When their judges are thrown over the cliff, then they shall hear my words, for they are pleasant. (7) As when one plows and breaks up the earth, so shall our bones be scattered at the mouth of Sheol. (8) But my eyes are toward you, O GOD, my Lord; in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless! (9) Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me and from the snares of evildoers! (10) Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by safely.

Psalm 140:1-13

(140:1) To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O LORD, from evil men; preserve me from violent men, (2) who plan evil things in their heart and stir up wars continually. (3) They make their tongue sharp as a serpent's, and under their lips is the venom of asps. Selah (4) Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men, who have planned to trip up my feet. (5) The arrogant have hidden a trap for me, and with cords they have spread a net; beside the way they have set snares for me. Selah (6) I say to the LORD, You are my God; give ear to the voice of my pleas for mercy, O LORD! (7) O LORD, my Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle. (8) Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; do not further their evil plot, or they will be exalted! Selah (9) As for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them! (10) Let burning coals fall upon them! Let them be cast into fire, into miry pits, no more to rise! (11) Let not the slanderer be established in the land; let evil hunt down the violent man speedily! (12) I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy. (13) Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name; the upright shall dwell in your presence.

Psalm 139:1-24

(139:1) To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, you have searched me and known me! (2) You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. (3) You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. (4) Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. (5) You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. (6) Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. (7) Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? (8) If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! (9) If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, (10) even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. (11) If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night," (12) even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. (13) For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. (14) I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. (15) My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. (16) Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. (17) How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! (18) If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. (19) Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me! (20) They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain! (21) Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you? (22) I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies. (23) Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! (24) And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!