⁹ “As for you, my son Solomon, ^(A)know the God of your father, and serve Him ^(B)with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for ^(C)the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. ^(D)If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will ^(E)cast you off forever.

²² For ^(A)I was ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying, ^(B)“The hand of our God is upon all those for ^(C)good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are ^(D)against all those who ^(E)forsake Him.”