⁶ Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful^(A) to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son^(B) to sit on his throne this very day.

⁷ “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child^(C) and do not know how to carry out my duties. ⁸ Your servant is here among the people you have chosen,^(D) a great people, too numerous to count or number.^{(E) 9} So give your servant a discerning^(F) heart to govern your people and to distinguish^(G) between right and wrong. For who is able^(H) to govern this great people of yours?”

¹⁰ The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. ¹¹ So God said to him, “Since you have asked^(I) for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment^(J) in administering justice, ¹² I will do what you have asked.^(K) I will give you a wise^(L) and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.

The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

⁴⁴ “The kingdom of heaven is like^(A) treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.^(B)

⁴⁵ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like^(C) a merchant looking for fine pearls. ⁴⁶ When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

The Parable of the Net

⁴⁷ “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like^(D) a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds^(E) of fish. ⁴⁸ When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. ⁴⁹ This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous^{(F) 50} and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.^(G)

⁵¹ “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked.

“Yes,” they replied.

⁵² He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

¹⁷ Command those who are rich^(A) in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth,^(B) which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God,^(C) who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.^{(D) 18} Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds,^(E) and to be generous and willing to share.^{(F) 19} In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves^(G) as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of^(H) the life that is truly life.

²⁰ Timothy, guard what has been entrusted^(I) to your care. Turn away from godless chatter^(J) and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, ²¹ which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.^(K)

Grace be with you all.^(L)