The sonsof Israelsaidto the LORD,"We have sinned,doto us whateverseems goodto You; onlypleasedeliverus thisday."
"Be strong,and let us showourselves courageousfor the sakeof our peopleand for the citiesof our God;and may the LORDdowhatis goodin His sight."
Then Davidsaidto Nathan,"I have sinnedagainst the LORD."And Nathansaidto David,"The LORDalsohas takenawayyour sin;you shall not die.
"But ifHe should saythus,I havenodelightin you,' behold,here I am, let Him doto me as seems goodto Him."
Now David'shearttroubledhim afterhe had numberedthe people.So Davidsaidto the LORD,"I have sinnedgreatlyin whatI have done.But now,O LORD,pleasetakeawaythe iniquityof Your servant,for I have actedveryfoolishly."
Then Davidsaidto Gad,"I am in greatdistress.Let us nowfallinto the handof the LORDfor His merciesare great,but do not let me fallinto the handof man."
"He will singto menand say,I have sinnedand pervertedwhatis right,And it is not properfor me.
He who concealshis transgressionswill not prosper,But he who confessesand forsakes[them] will findcompassion.
O LORD,they soughtYou in distress;They could only whispera prayer,Your chasteningwas upon them.
"So I said,I have been expelledfrom Your sight.NeverthelessI will lookagaintowardYour holytemple.'
"Whoknows,Godmay turnand relentand withdrawHis burningangerso that we will not perish."
"Nowbehold,we are in your hands;doas it seems goodand rightin your sightto doto us."
"They criedout to the LORDand said,'We have sinnedbecausewe have forsakenthe LORDand have servedthe Baalsand the Ashtaroth;but nowdeliverus from the handsof our enemies,and we will serveYou.'
So Samueltoldhim everythingand hidnothingfrom him. And he said,"It is the LORD;let Him dowhatseems goodto Him."
They gatheredto Mizpah,and drewwaterand pouredit out beforethe LORD,and fastedon that dayand saidthere,"We have sinnedagainst the LORD."And Samueljudgedthe sonsof Israelat Mizpah.
