²⁹ God gave Solomon unusual wisdom and insight, and knowledge too great to be measured. ³⁰ Solomon was wiser than the wise men of the East or the wise men of Egypt. ^31 (A)He was the wisest of all men: wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol, and his fame spread throughout all the neighboring countries.

¹⁴ How wise you were, Solomon, when you were young! Your knowledge was like the Nile^[a] in flood. ¹⁵ Your influence reached over all the world; your proverbs and riddles were known everywhere. ¹⁶ You were famous everywhere, and people loved you for bringing peace. ¹⁷ Nations around the world held you in admiration for your songs, proverbs, parables, and witty sayings. ^18 (A)You gathered silver and gold as if it were tin or lead, all in the name of the Lord God of Israel.