So teach us to consider our mortality, ¹  so that we might live wisely. ² 

A servant who acts wisely ¹  will rule over ²  an heir ³  who behaves shamefully, ⁴  and will share the inheritance along with the relatives. ⁵ 

The one who deals wisely ¹  in a matter ²  will find success, ³  and blessed ⁴  is the one who trusts in the Lord. ⁵ 

He wisely placed some of his many sons throughout the regions of Judah and Benjamin in the various fortified cities. ¹  He supplied them with abundant provisions and acquired many wives for them. ² 

Come, let’s deal wisely ¹  with them. Otherwise ²  they will continue to multiply, ³  and if ⁴  a war breaks out, they will ally themselves with ⁵  our enemies and fight against us and leave ⁶  the country.”

For our leaders ¹  are stupid. They have not sought the Lord’s advice. ²  So they do not act wisely, and the people they are responsible for ³  have all been scattered.

Who knows if he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet ¹  he will be master over all the fruit of ²  my labor ³  for which I worked so wisely ⁴  on earth! ⁵  This also is futile!

Now David achieved success in all he did, ¹  for the Lord was with him.

Conduct yourselves ¹  with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunities.

When Saul saw how very successful he was, he was afraid of him.

The king shows favor ¹  to a wise ²  servant, but his wrath falls ³  on one who acts shamefully.

The one who trusts in his own heart ¹  is a fool, but the one who walks in wisdom ²  will escape. ³ 

“I, the Lord, promise ¹  that a new time will certainly come ²  when I will raise up for them a righteous branch, ³  a descendant of David. He will rule over them with wisdom and understanding ⁴  and will do what is just and right in the land. ⁵ 

So now, you kings, do what is wise; ¹  you rulers of the earth, submit to correction! ² 

I will walk in ¹  the way of integrity. When will you come to me? I will conduct my business with integrity in the midst of my palace. ² 

The words he speaks are sinful and deceitful; he does not care about doing what is wise and right. ¹ 

and all people will fear. ¹  They will proclaim ²  what God has done, and reflect on his deeds.

Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these days?” ¹  for it is not wise to ask that. ² 

“Look, my servant will succeed! ¹  He will be elevated, lifted high, and greatly exalted ²  –

¹  Then the leaders of the Philistines would march out, and as often as they did so, David achieved more success than all of Saul’s servants. His name was held in high esteem.