But Ittaiansweredthe kingand said,"As the LORDlives,and as my lordthe kinglives,surelywherevermy lordthe kingmay be, whetherfor deathorfor life,therealsoyour servantwill be."
Therefore Davidsaidto Ittai,"Goand passover."So Ittaithe Gittitepassedoverwith allhis menand allthe littleoneswho[were] with him.
Elijahsaidto Elisha,"Stayhereplease,for the LORDhas sentme as faras Bethel."But Elishasaid,"As the LORDlivesand as you yourselflive,I will not leaveyou." So they wentdownto Bethel.
Elijahsaidto him, "Elisha,pleasestayhere,for the LORDhas sentme to Jericho."But he said,"As the LORDlives,and as you yourselflive,I will not leaveyou." So they cameto Jericho.
Then Elijahsaidto him, "Pleasestayhere,for the LORDhas sentme to the Jordan."And he said,"As the LORDlives,and as you yourselflive,I will not leaveyou." So the twoof them wenton.
The motherof the ladsaid,"As the LORDlivesand as you yourselflive,I will not leaveyou." And he aroseand followedher.
A friendlovesat alltimes,And a brotheris bornfor adversity.
A manof [too many] friends[comes] to ruin,But thereis a friendwhostickscloserthana brother.
Then when he arrivedand witnessedthe graceof God,he rejoicedand [began] to encouragethem allwith resoluteheartto remain[true] to the Lord;
ThenPaulanswered,"Whatare you doing,weepingand breakingmy heart?For I amreadynot onlyto be bound,but evento dieat Jerusalemfor the nameof the LordJesus."
I do not speakto condemnyou, for I have said beforethat you are in our heartsto die togetherand to live together.
Yet Davidvowedagain,saying,"Your fatherknowswellthat I have foundfavorin your sight,and he has said,'Do not let Jonathanknowthis,orhe will be grieved.'But trulyas the LORDlivesand as your soullives,there is hardly a stepbetweenme and death."
"Nowtherefore, my lord,as the LORDlives,and as your soullives,sincethe LORDhas restrainedyou from sheddingblood,and from avengingyourself by your own hand,nowthen let your enemiesand those who seekevilagainstmy lord,be as Nabal.
