The Book of Wisdom, also known as the Wisdom of Solomon, opens with an exhortation to rulers and judges of the earth. This deuterocanonical work, written in Greek likely during the first century BC in Alexandria, presents itself as Solomon's instruction to fellow leaders. The author addresses those in positions of authority, urging them to embrace wisdom and righteousness as essential qualities for just governance. The book begins without narrative buildup, immediately launching into its didactic purpose of teaching proper conduct and understanding to those who hold power over others. The passage represents the beginning of the entire work, establishing its primary themes of seeking God through wisdom and avoiding wickedness. The author is addressing rulers and judges of the earth.
[1] Love righteousness, ye that be judges of the earth: think of the Lord with a good heart, and in simplicity of heart seek him. [2] For he will be found of them that tempt him not; and showeth himself unto such as do not distrust him. [3] For froward thoughts separate from God: and his power, when it is tried, reproveth the unwise. [4] For into a malicious soul wisdom shall not enter; nor dwell in the body that is subject unto sin. [5] For the holy spirit of discipline will flee deceit, and remove from thoughts that are without understanding, and will not abide when unrighteousness cometh in.
[6] For wisdom is a loving spirit; and will not acquit a blasphemer of his words: for God is witness of his reins, and a true beholder of his heart, and a hearer of his tongue. [7] For the Spirit of the Lord filleth the world: and that which containeth all things hath knowledge of the voice.
The Lord has pronounced judgment on Judah for their idolatry and forsaking of His covenant. He declared that disaster would come from the north and that the people would be exiled from their land because of their sins. God stated that He would no longer show pity on this generation and would remove His peace, love, and mercy from them. He forbade Jeremiah from marrying or having children as a sign of the coming devastation, and instructed him not to participate in mourning or feasting with the people. The Lord explained that both great and small would die in the land without proper burial, and that sounds of joy and gladness would cease because He was bringing calamity upon them in their own lifetime due to their ancestors' and their own forsaking of His law.
[16] “Behold, I will send for many fishermen,” says the Lord, “and they shall fish them; and afterward I will send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain and every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks. [17] For My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from My face, nor is their iniquity hidden from My eyes. [18] And first I will repay double for their iniquity and their sin, because they have defiled My land; they have filled My inheritance with the carcasses of their detestable and abominable idols.”
[19] O Lord, my strength and my fortress,
My refuge in the day of affliction,
The Gentiles shall come to You
From the ends of the earth and say,
“Surely our fathers have inherited lies,
Worthlessness and unprofitable things.”
[20] Will a man make gods for himself,
Which are not gods?
[21] “Therefore behold, I will this once cause them to know,
I will cause them to know
My hand and My might;
And they shall know that My name is the Lord.
St. Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians 12:28-13:10
Paul has been addressing divisions in the Corinthian church and correcting their misunderstandings about spiritual gifts. He emphasizes that all believers form one body in Christ, with the Spirit distributing different gifts to each member for the common good. He explains that no gift makes one member superior to another, as each part of the body needs the others to function properly. Paul lists various spiritual manifestations including wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues, and interpretation. He stresses that these diverse gifts come from the same Spirit and serve to build up the church rather than promote individual status. Paul is addressing the church at Corinth.
[28] And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. [29] Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? [30] Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? [31] But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
[1] Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. [2] And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. [3] And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
[4] Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; [5] does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; [6] does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; [7] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
[8] Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. [9] For we know in part and we prophesy in part. [10] But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
Jesus has been demonstrating His authority through teaching, healing the sick, casting out demons, calming storms, and raising the dead. Large crowds have been following Him throughout Galilee, witnessing these miraculous works. He recently sent demons into a herd of pigs, healed a woman with chronic bleeding, and raised Jairus's daughter from death. His twelve disciples have been accompanying Him during this ministry, observing His power over disease, nature, demons, and death. Now Jesus prepares to extend His mission by empowering the twelve to participate actively in the work they have been witnessing.
[1] Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. [2] He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. [3] And He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece.
[4] “Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. [5] And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”
[6] So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.