Then spoke the woman whose the living child was to the king, for her heart yearned over her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and surely do not slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor yours, but divide it.
Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together to Jerusalem within three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month; and all the people sat in the street of the house of God, trembling because of this matter, and for the heavy rain.
Then were assembled to me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the transgression of those that had been taken away; and I sat astonished until the evening sacrifice.
For all those things has my hand made, and all those things have been, says the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at my word.
A woman when she is in birth labor has sorrow, because her hour has come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembers no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
But he who has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his feelings of compassion from him, how does the love of God dwell in him?