IfI have rewardedevilto my friend,Or have plunderedhim who withoutcausewas my adversary,
They had [just] goneout of the city,[and] were not faroff, when Josephsaidto his housesteward,"Up, followthe men;and when you overtakethem, sayto them, 'Whyhave you repaidevilfor good?
"With whomeverof your servantsit is found,let him die,and we alsowill be my lord'sslaves."
"The LORDhas returnedupon you allthe bloodshedof the houseof Saul,in whoseplaceyou have reigned;and the LORDhas giventhe kingdominto the handof your sonAbsalom.And behold,you are [taken] in your own evil,for you are a manof bloodshed!"
Let my shoulderfallfrom the socket,And my armbe brokenoffat the elbow.
"Ifmy stephas turnedfrom the way,Or my heartfollowedmy eyes,Or if any spothas stuckto my hands,
Thus they have repaidme evilfor goodAnd hatredfor my love.
He has putforthhis handsagainst those whowere at peacewith him; He has violatedhis covenant.
The refiningpotis for silverand the furnacefor gold,But the LORDtestshearts.
But Paulcriedout with a loudvoice,saying,"Donot harmyourself,for we are allhere!"
Then Davidfledfrom Naiothin Ramah,and cameand saidto Jonathan,"Whathave I done?Whatis my iniquity?And whatis my sinbeforeyour father,that he is seekingmy life?"
Then Ahimelechansweredthe kingand said,"And whoamong allyour servantsis as faithfulas David,even the king'sson-in-law,who is captain overyour guard,and is honoredin your house?
Davidpersuadedhis menwith [these] wordsand did not allowthem to riseup againstSaul.And Saularose,leftthe cave,and wenton [his] way.
Then Saulsaid,"I have sinned.Return,my sonDavid,for I will not harmyou againbecausemy lifewas preciousin your sightthisday.Behold,I have playedthe fooland have committeda seriouserror."
"Now behold,as your lifewas highlyvaluedin my sightthisday,somay my lifebe highlyvaluedin the sightof the LORD,and may He deliverme from alldistress."
