Whereare Your formerlovingkindnesses,O Lord,Which You sworeto Davidin Your faithfulness?
"May Goddosoto Abner,and morealso,ifas the LORDhas swornto David,I do not accomplishthisfor him,
but My lovingkindnessshall not departfrom him, as I took[it] awayfrom Saul,whomI removedfrom beforeyou.
For he sees[that even] wisemendie;The stupidand the senselessalikeperishAnd leavetheir wealthto others.
For the redemptionof his soulis costly,And he should cease[trying] forever--
He will recompensethe evilto my foes;Destroythem in Your faithfulness.
"OnceI have swornby My holiness;I will not lieto David.
"Inclineyour earand cometo Me. Listen,that you may live;And I will makean everlastingcovenantwith you, [According to] the faithfulmerciesshown to David.
(for they indeedbecamepriestswithoutan oath, but He with an oaththroughthe One who saidto Him, "THE LORDHAS SWORNAND WILL NOT CHANGE HIS MIND,'YOU ARE A PRIESTFOREVER'");