Psalm 130

A song of ascents.

¹⁸ When David had fled and made his escape, he went to Samuel at Ramah^(A) and told him all that Saul had done to him. Then he and Samuel went to Naioth and stayed there. ¹⁹ Word came to Saul: “David is in Naioth at Ramah”; ²⁰ so he sent men to capture him. But when they saw a group of prophets^(B) prophesying, with Samuel standing there as their leader, the Spirit of God came on^(C) Saul’s men, and they also prophesied.^{(D) 21} Saul was told about it, and he sent more men, and they prophesied too. Saul sent men a third time, and they also prophesied. ²² Finally, he himself left for Ramah and went to the great cistern at Seku. And he asked, “Where are Samuel and David?”

“Over in Naioth at Ramah,” they said.

²³ So Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. But the Spirit of God came even on him, and he walked along prophesying^(E) until he came to Naioth. ²⁴ He stripped^(F) off his garments, and he too prophesied in Samuel’s^(G) presence. He lay naked all that day and all that night. This is why people say, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”^(H)

Paul’s Joy Over the Church’s Repentance

² Make room for us in your hearts.^(A) We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. ³ I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts^(B) that we would live or die with you. ⁴ I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you.^(C) I am greatly encouraged;^(D) in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.^(E)

⁵ For when we came into Macedonia,^(F) we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn^(G)—conflicts on the outside, fears within.^{(H) 6} But God, who comforts the downcast,^(I) comforted us by the coming of Titus,^{(J) 7} and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.

⁸ Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter,^(K) I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— ⁹ yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. ¹⁰ Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation^(L) and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. ¹¹ See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern,^(M) what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. ¹² So even though I wrote to you,^(N) it was neither on account of the one who did the wrong^(O) nor on account of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. ¹³ By all this we are encouraged.

In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus^(P) was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. ¹⁴ I had boasted to him about you,^(Q) and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus^(R) has proved to be true as well. ¹⁵ And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient,^(S) receiving him with fear and trembling.^{(T) 16} I am glad I can have complete confidence in you.^(U)