Study Desk

And David said to God: Am not I he that commanded the people to be numbered? It is I that have sinned: it is I that have done the evil: but as for this flock, what hath it deserved? O Lord my God, let thy hand be turned, I beseech thee, upon me, and upon my father’s house: and let not thy people be destroyed.

Who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to promise thee all these things? all things are thine: and we have given thee what we received of thy hand.

Who then can be able to build him a worthy house? if heaven, and the heavens of heavens cannot contain him: who am I that I should be able to build him a house? but to this end only, that incense may be burnt before him.

The Lord therefore hath accomplished his word which he spoke: and I am risen up in the place of David my father, and sit upon the throne of Israel, as the Lord promised: and have built a house to the name of the Lord God of Israel.

And Achab king of Israel said to Josaphat king of Juda: Come with me to Ramoth Galaad. And he answered him: Thou art as I am, and my people as thy people, and we will be with thee in the war.

And it happened that one of the people shot an arrow at a venture, and struck the king of Israel between the neck and the shoulders, and he said to his chariot man: Turn thy hand, and carry me out of the battle, for I am wounded.

And there he was wounded by the archers, and he said to his servants: Carry me out of the battle, for I am grievously wounded.

And said: My God I am confounded and ashamed to lift up my face to thee: for our iniquities are multiplied over our heads, and our sins are grown up even unto heaven,

And I sent messengers to them, saying: I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down, lest it be neglected whilst I come, and go down to you.

And I said: Should such a man as I flee? and who is there that being as I am, would go into the temple, to save his life? I will not go in.

And after this he said: Queen Esther also hath invited no other to the banquet with the king, but me: and with her I am also to dine to morrow with the king:

Am I a sea, or a whale, that thou hast inclosed me in a prison?

I have sinned: what shall I do to thee, O keeper of men? why hast thou set me opposite to thee. and am I become burdensome to myself?

What am I then, that I should answer him, and have words with him?

If I say: I will not speak so: I change my face, and am tormented with sorrow.

But if so also I am wicked, why have I laboured in vain?

I will speak, and will not fear him: for I cannot answer while I am in fear.

For thou hast said: My word is pure, and I am clean in thy sight.

According to your knowledge I also know: neither am I inferior to you.

Who is he that will plead against me? let him come: why am I consumed holding my peace?