But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. (niv)
“ And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt.Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance.They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food.This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.”The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials.So Pharaoh asked them,“ Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?”Then Pharaoh said to Joseph,“ Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you.You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.” (niv)
So Samuel said to all the Israelites,“ If you are returning to the Lord with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.”So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the Lord only.Then Samuel said,“ Assemble all Israel at Mizpah, and I will intercede with the Lord for you.”When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the Lord. On that day they fasted and there they confessed,“ We have sinned against the Lord.” Now Samuel was serving as leader of Israel at Mizpah. (niv)
