Lectionary Calendar
Friday, July 18th, 2025
the Week of Proper 10 / Ordinary 15
the Week of Proper 10 / Ordinary 15
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Read the Bible
New Living Translation
1 Kings 3:9
Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?"
Jump to:Bible Study Tools • Parallel Bible Verse • Bible Contextual Overview • Bible Cross-References • Gill's Bible Notes • Clarke's Bible Notes • Barnes' Bible Notes
Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
- AmericanEncyclopedias:
- CondensedParallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
So give your servant a receptive heart to judge your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of yours?”
So give your servant a receptive heart to judge your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of yours?”
Hebrew Names Version
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 your great people?
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 your great people?
King James Version
Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
English Standard Version
Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?"
Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?"
New Century Version
I ask that you give me a heart that understands, so I can rule the people in the right way and will know the difference between right and wrong. Otherwise, it is impossible to rule this great people of yours."
I ask that you give me a heart that understands, so I can rule the people in the right way and will know the difference between right and wrong. Otherwise, it is impossible to rule this great people of yours."
New English Translation
So give your servant a discerning mind so he can make judicial decisions for your people and distinguish right from wrong. Otherwise no one is able to make judicial decisions for this great nation of yours."
So give your servant a discerning mind so he can make judicial decisions for your people and distinguish right from wrong. Otherwise no one is able to make judicial decisions for this great nation of yours."
Amplified Bible
"So give Your servant an understanding mind and a hearing heart [with which] to judge Your people, so that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge and rule this great people of Yours?"
"So give Your servant an understanding mind and a hearing heart [with which] to judge Your people, so that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge and rule this great people of Yours?"
New American Standard Bible
"So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, to discern between good and evil. For who is capable of judging this great people of Yours?"
"So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, to discern between good and evil. For who is capable of judging this great people of Yours?"
Geneva Bible (1587)
Giue therefore vnto thy seruant an vnderstanding heart, to iudge thy people, that I may discerne betweene good & bad: for who is able to iudge this thy mightie people?
Giue therefore vnto thy seruant an vnderstanding heart, to iudge thy people, that I may discerne betweene good & bad: for who is able to iudge this thy mightie people?
Legacy Standard Bible
So give Your slave a listening heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this glorious people of Yours?"
So give Your slave a listening heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this glorious people of Yours?"
Contemporary English Version
Please make me wise and teach me the difference between right and wrong. Then I will know how to rule your people. If you don't, there is no way I could rule this great nation of yours.
Please make me wise and teach me the difference between right and wrong. Then I will know how to rule your people. If you don't, there is no way I could rule this great nation of yours.
Complete Jewish Bible
Therefore, give your servant an understanding heart able to administer justice to your people, so that I can discern between good and bad — for who is equal to judging this great people of yours?"
Therefore, give your servant an understanding heart able to administer justice to your people, so that I can discern between good and bad — for who is equal to judging this great people of yours?"
Darby Translation
Give therefore to thy servant an understanding heart, to judge thy people, to discern between good and bad; for who is able to judge this thy numerous people?
Give therefore to thy servant an understanding heart, to judge thy people, to discern between good and bad; for who is able to judge this thy numerous people?
Easy-to-Read Version
So I ask you to give me the wisdom to rule and judge them well and to help me know the difference between right and wrong. Without such great wisdom, it would be impossible to rule this great nation."
So I ask you to give me the wisdom to rule and judge them well and to help me know the difference between right and wrong. Without such great wisdom, it would be impossible to rule this great nation."
George Lamsa Translation
Give therefore to thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people and to discern between good and bad; for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
Give therefore to thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people and to discern between good and bad; for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
Good News Translation
So give me the wisdom I need to rule your people with justice and to know the difference between good and evil. Otherwise, how would I ever be able to rule this great people of yours?"
So give me the wisdom I need to rule your people with justice and to know the difference between good and evil. Otherwise, how would I ever be able to rule this great people of yours?"
Lexham English Bible
Give to your servant a listening heart to judge your people, to discern between good and bad, because who is able to judge this, your difficult people?"
Give to your servant a listening heart to judge your people, to discern between good and bad, because who is able to judge this, your difficult people?"
Literal Translation
Also give to Your servant an understanding heart, to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this, Your great people?
Also give to Your servant an understanding heart, to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this, Your great people?
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Geue thy seruaunt therfore an obedient hert, that he maye iudge thy people, & vnderstonde what is good & bad: for who is able to iudge this thy mightie people?
Geue thy seruaunt therfore an obedient hert, that he maye iudge thy people, & vnderstonde what is good & bad: for who is able to iudge this thy mightie people?
American Standard Version
Give thy servant therefore an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this thy great people?
Give thy servant therefore an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this thy great people?
Bible in Basic English
Give your servant, then, a wise heart for judging your people, able to see what is good and what evil; for who is able to be the judge of this great people?
Give your servant, then, a wise heart for judging your people, able to see what is good and what evil; for who is able to be the judge of this great people?
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Geue therfore thy seruaunt an vnderstanding heart to iudge thy people, that I may discerne betweene good & bad: For who is able to iudge this thy so mightie a people?
Geue therfore thy seruaunt an vnderstanding heart to iudge thy people, that I may discerne betweene good & bad: For who is able to iudge this thy so mightie a people?
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Give Thy servant therefore an understanding heart to judge Thy people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this Thy great people?'
Give Thy servant therefore an understanding heart to judge Thy people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this Thy great people?'
King James Version (1611)
Giue therefore thy seruant an understanding heart, to iudge thy people, that I may discerne betweene good and bad: for who is able to iudge this thy so great a people?
Giue therefore thy seruant an understanding heart, to iudge thy people, that I may discerne betweene good and bad: for who is able to iudge this thy so great a people?
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
Thou shalt give therefore to thy servant a heart to hear and to judge thy people justly, and to discern between good and evil: for who will be able to judge this thy great people?
Thou shalt give therefore to thy servant a heart to hear and to judge thy people justly, and to discern between good and evil: for who will be able to judge this thy great people?
English Revised Version
Give thy servant therefore an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this thy great people?
Give thy servant therefore an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this thy great people?
Berean Standard Bible
Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?"
Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?"
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Therfor thou schalt yyue to thi seruaunt an herte able to be tauyt, `that is, liytned of thee, that he may deme the puple, and iuge bitwixe good and yuel; for who may deme this puple, thi puple, this miche puple?
Therfor thou schalt yyue to thi seruaunt an herte able to be tauyt, `that is, liytned of thee, that he may deme the puple, and iuge bitwixe good and yuel; for who may deme this puple, thi puple, this miche puple?
Young's Literal Translation
and Thou hast given to Thy servant an understanding heart, to judge Thy people, to discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this Thy great people?'
and Thou hast given to Thy servant an understanding heart, to judge Thy people, to discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this Thy great people?'
Update Bible Version
Give your slave therefore an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this your great people?
Give your slave therefore an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this your great people?
Webster's Bible Translation
Give therefore to thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
Give therefore to thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
World English Bible
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 your great people?
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 your great people?
New King James Version
Therefore give to Your servant 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?"
Therefore give to Your servant 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?"
New Life Bible
So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and know the difference between good and bad. For who is able to judge Your many people?"
So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and know the difference between good and bad. For who is able to judge Your many people?"
New Revised Standard
Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?"
Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?"
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Wilt thou, then, give unto thy servant, a heart that hearkeneth, to judge thy people, to discern between good and bad, - for who is able to judge this thine honoured people?
Wilt thou, then, give unto thy servant, a heart that hearkeneth, to judge thy people, to discern between good and bad, - for who is able to judge this thine honoured people?
Douay-Rheims Bible
Give therefore to thy servant an understanding heart, to judge thy people, and discern between good and evil. For who shall be able to judge this people, thy people, which is so numerous?
Give therefore to thy servant an understanding heart, to judge thy people, and discern between good and evil. For who shall be able to judge this people, thy people, which is so numerous?
Revised Standard Version
Give thy servant therefore an understanding mind to govern thy people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to govern this thy great people?"
Give thy servant therefore an understanding mind to govern thy people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to govern this thy great people?"
THE MESSAGE
"Here's what I want: Give me a God-listening heart so I can lead your people well, discerning the difference between good and evil. For who on their own is capable of leading your glorious people?"
"Here's what I want: Give me a God-listening heart so I can lead your people well, discerning the difference between good and evil. For who on their own is capable of leading your glorious people?"
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?"
"So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?"
Contextual Overview
5 That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, "What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!" 6 Solomon replied, "You showed great and faithful love to your servant my father, David, because he was honest and true and faithful to you. And you have continued to show this great and faithful love to him today by giving him a son to sit on his throne. 7 "Now, O Lord my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn't know his way around. 8 And here I am in the midst of your own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted! 9 Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?" 10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom. 11 So God replied, "Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies— 12 I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have! 13 And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life! 14 And if you follow me and obey my decrees and my commands as your father, David, did, I will give you a long life."
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
Give therefore: 1 Chronicles 22:12, 1 Chronicles 29:19, 2 Chronicles 1:10, Psalms 119:34, Psalms 119:73, Psalms 119:144, Proverbs 2:3-9, Proverbs 3:13-18, Proverbs 16:16, James 1:5, James 3:17
understanding: Heb. hearing, Proverbs 20:12
to judge: 1 Kings 3:28, Psalms 72:1, Psalms 72:2, Proverbs 14:8, Ecclesiastes 7:11, Ecclesiastes 7:19, Ecclesiastes 9:15-18, John 5:30
discern: 2 Samuel 14:17, Isaiah 11:2-4, 1 Corinthians 2:14, 1 Corinthians 2:15, Ephesians 5:17, Philippians 1:10,*Gr: Hebrews 5:14
who is able: Exodus 3:11, Exodus 3:12, Exodus 4:10-13, Jeremiah 1:6, Matthew 3:11, Matthew 3:14, 2 Corinthians 2:16, 2 Corinthians 3:5
Reciprocal: Genesis 12:2 - General Exodus 18:17 - not good Exodus 18:21 - able men Exodus 31:3 - filled Deuteronomy 34:9 - full of the spirit 1 Kings 3:11 - discern 1 Kings 5:7 - a wise son 1 Kings 7:7 - of judgment 1 Kings 10:24 - which God 2 Kings 2:9 - Elisha said 2 Kings 15:5 - judging 1 Chronicles 11:2 - ruler 2 Chronicles 32:4 - find Job 28:12 - General Psalms 119:66 - Teach me Proverbs 1:2 - General Proverbs 2:6 - the Lord Proverbs 8:15 - decree Proverbs 18:15 - General Proverbs 25:2 - the honour Ecclesiastes 10:10 - wisdom Isaiah 11:3 - and he shall not Daniel 9:12 - our judges Matthew 12:42 - hear Romans 16:19 - yet 1 Corinthians 3:10 - as a Colossians 3:16 - all
Cross-References
Genesis 3:12
The man replied, "It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it."
The man replied, "It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it."
Genesis 3:13
Then the Lord God asked the woman, "What have you done?" "The serpent deceived me," she replied. "That's why I ate it."
Then the Lord God asked the woman, "What have you done?" "The serpent deceived me," she replied. "That's why I ate it."
Genesis 3:17
And to the man he said, "Since you listened to your wife and ate from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat, the ground is cursed because of you. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it.
And to the man he said, "Since you listened to your wife and ate from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat, the ground is cursed because of you. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it.
Genesis 3:19
By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made. For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return."
By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made. For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return."
Genesis 3:20
Then the man—Adam—named his wife Eve, because she would be the mother of all who live.
Then the man—Adam—named his wife Eve, because she would be the mother of all who live.
Genesis 3:21
And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.
And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.
Genesis 4:9
Afterward the Lord asked Cain, "Where is your brother? Where is Abel?" "I don't know," Cain responded. "Am I my brother's guardian?"
Afterward the Lord asked Cain, "Where is your brother? Where is Abel?" "I don't know," Cain responded. "Am I my brother's guardian?"
Genesis 11:5
But the Lord came down to look at the city and the tower the people were building.
But the Lord came down to look at the city and the tower the people were building.
Genesis 16:8
The angel said to her, "Hagar, Sarai's servant, where have you come from, and where are you going?" "I'm running away from my mistress, Sarai," she replied.
The angel said to her, "Hagar, Sarai's servant, where have you come from, and where are you going?" "I'm running away from my mistress, Sarai," she replied.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart, to judge thy people,.... Not an understanding of things spiritual, nor of things natural, though both were given him, but of things political, what related to the civil government, that he might be able to judge or rule the people of Israel in the best manner:
that I may discern between good and bad; not merely between moral good and evil, of which he had a discernment; but between right and wrong in any case or controversy that came before him between man and man, that so he might be able to pass a right sentence, and do justice to every one:
for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? who are so very numerous, and have so many causes to be heard and and those many of them very intricate and difficult; so that no man is equal to such arduous work, unless he has more than an ordinary capacity given him by the Lord.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
One of the chief functions of the Oriental monarch is always to hear and decide causes. Hence, supreme magistrates were naturally called âjudges.â (See the introduction to the Book of Judges.) In the minds of the Jews the âjudgeâ and the âprinceâ were always closely associated, the direct cognisance of causes being constantly taken by their chief civil governors. (See Exodus 2:14; Exodus 18:16, Exo 18:22; 1 Samuel 8:20; 2 Samuel 15:2-6.)
Good and bad - i. e. âright and wrong,â âjustice and injustice.â
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse 1 Kings 3:9. Give - an understanding heart to judge thy people — He did not ask wisdom in general, but the true science of government. This wisdom he sought, and this wisdom he obtained.
