Lectionary 17, Year A

⁵ In Gibeon, the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask for what I should give you.” ⁶ Solomon said, “You have shown to your servant David my father great loving kindness, because he walked before you in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with you. You have kept for him this great loving kindness, that you have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is today. ⁷ Now, the LORD my God, you have made your servant king instead of David my father. I am just a little child. I don’t know how to go out or come in. ⁸ Your servant is among your people which you have chosen, a great people, that can’t be numbered or counted for multitude. ⁹ Give your servant therefore an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this great people of yours?” ¹⁰ This request pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. ¹¹ God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have you asked for riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice; ¹² behold, I have done according to your word. Behold, I have given you a wise and understanding heart; so that there has been no one like you before you, and after you none will arise like you.

¹²⁹ Your testimonies are wonderful, therefore my soul keeps them. ¹³⁰ The entrance of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple. ¹³¹ I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for your commandments. ¹³² Turn to me, and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name. ¹³³ Establish my footsteps in your word. Don’t let any iniquity have dominion over me. ¹³⁴ Redeem me from the oppression of man, so I will observe your precepts. ¹³⁵ Make your face shine on your servant. Teach me your statutes. ¹³⁶ Streams of tears run down my eyes, because they don’t observe your law.

²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered. ²⁷ He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit’s mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God. ²⁸ We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. ³⁰ Whom he predestined, those he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified. ³¹ What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who didn’t spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things? ³³ Who could bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes rather, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ³⁶ Even as it is written, “For your sake we are killed all day long. We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” ³⁷ No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from God’s love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.