Then Saulsaidto Samuel,"I did obeythe voiceof the LORD,and wenton the missionon whichthe LORDsentme, and have broughtback Agagthe kingof Amalek,and have utterlydestroyedthe Amalekites.
I am pure,withouttransgression;I am innocentand there is noguiltin me.
"For Jobhas said,I am righteous,But Godhas takenawaymy right;
"Do you thinkthisis according to justice?Do you say,'My righteousnessis morethanGod's'?
"Will you reallyannulMy judgment?Will you condemnMe that you may be justified?
The young mansaidto Him, "Allthese thingsI have kept;whatamI stilllacking?"
But wishingto justifyhimself,he saidto Jesus,"And whois my neighbor?"
"The Phariseestoodand was prayingthisto himself:'God,I thankYou that I amnot likeother people:swindlers,unjust,adulterers,orevenlikethistax collector.
For not knowingabout God'srighteousnessand seekingto establishtheir own,they did not subjectthemselves to the righteousnessof God.
Samuelcameto Saul,and Saulsaidto him, "Blessedare you of the LORD!I have carriedout the commandof the LORD."
Nowgoand strikeAmalekand utterlydestroyallthat he has, and do not sparehim; but putto deathbothmanand woman,childand infant,oxand sheep,cameland donkey.'"
He capturedAgagthe kingof the Amalekitesalive,and utterlydestroyedallthe peoplewith the edgeof the sword.
"As you did not obeythe LORDand did not executeHis fiercewrathon Amalek,sothe LORDhas donethisthingto you thisday.
