Wednesday 10 February 2010

1When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the Lord’s name,she came to test him with hard questions.2She came to Jerusalem with a very great caravan,with camels that bore spices,very much gold, and precious stones;and when she had come to Solomon,she talked with him about all that was in her heart.3Solomon answered all her questions.There wasn’t anything hidden from the kingwhich he didn’t tell her.4When the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon,the house that he had built,5the food of his table,the sitting of his servants,the attendance of his officials,their clothing, his cup bearers,and his ascent by which he went up to the Lord’s house,there was no more spirit in her.6She said to the king,“It was a true reportthat I heard in my own land of your acts and of your wisdom.7However, I didn’t believe the words until I cameand my eyes had seen it.Behold, not even half was told me!Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame which I heard.8Happy are your men,happy are these your servantswho stand continually before you,who hear your wisdom.9Blessed is the Lord your God,who delighted in you,to set you on the throne of Israel.Because the Lord loved Israel forever,therefore he made you king,to do justice and righteousness.”10She gave the king one hundred twenty talents of gold,and a very great quantity of spices,and precious stones.Never again was there such an abundance of spices as thesewhich the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

5Commit your way to the Lord.Trust also in him, and he will do this:6he will make your righteousness shine out like light,and your justice as the noon day sun.

30The mouth of the righteous talks of wisdom.His tongue speaks justice.31The law of his God is in his heart.None of his steps shall slide.

39But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord.He is their stronghold in the time of trouble.40The Lord helps them and rescues them.He rescues them from the wicked and saves them,because they have taken refuge in him.

14He called all the multitude to himself and said to them,“Hear me, all of you, and understand.15There is nothing from outside of the manthat going into him can defile him;but the things which proceed out of the man are thosethat defile the man.

17When he had entered into a house away from the multitude,his disciples asked him about the parable.18He said to them, “Are you also without understanding?Don’t you perceivethat whatever goes into the man from outside can’t defile him,19because it doesn’t go into his heart,but into his stomach,then into the latrine,making all foods clean?”20He said, “That which proceeds out of the man,that defiles the man.21For from within, out of the hearts of men,proceed evil thoughts,adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts,22covetings, wickedness,deceit, lustful desires,an evil eye, blasphemy,pride, and foolishness.23All these evil things come from withinand defile the man.”