Psalm 51:1-12

New International Version

Psalm 51^[a]

For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.^(A)

¹Have mercy^(B) on me, O God,
    according to your unfailing love;^(C)
according to your great compassion^(D)
    blot out^(E) my transgressions.^(F)
²Wash away^(G) all my iniquity
    and cleanse^(H) me from my sin.

³For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is always before me.^(I)
⁴Against you, you only, have I sinned^(J)
    and done what is evil in your sight;^(K)
so you are right in your verdict
    and justified when you judge.^(L)
⁵Surely I was sinful^(M) at birth,^(N)
    sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
⁶Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
    you taught me wisdom^(O) in that secret place.^(P)

⁷Cleanse^(Q) me with hyssop,^(R) and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.^(S)
⁸Let me hear joy and gladness;^(T)
    let the bones^(U) you have crushed rejoice.
⁹Hide your face from my sins^(V)
    and blot out^(W) all my iniquity.

¹⁰Create in me a pure heart,^(X) O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.^(Y)
¹¹Do not cast me^(Z) from your presence^(AA)
    or take your Holy Spirit^(AB) from me.
¹²Restore to me the joy of your salvation^(AC)
    and grant me a willing spirit,^(AD) to sustain me.^(AE)

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Footnotes

Psalm 51:1 In Hebrew texts 51:1-19 is numbered 51:3-21.

Exodus 30:1-10

New International Version

The Altar of Incense^(A)

30 “Make an altar^(B) of acacia wood for burning incense.^(C) ²It is to be square, a cubit long and a cubit wide, and two cubits high^[a]—its horns^(D) of one piece with it. ³Overlay the top and all the sides and the horns with pure gold, and make a gold molding around it.^(E) ⁴Make two gold rings^(F) for the altar below the molding—two on each of the opposite sides—to hold the poles used to carry it. ⁵Make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.^(G) ⁶Put the altar in front of the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law—before the atonement cover^(H) that is over the tablets of the covenant law—where I will meet with you.

⁷“Aaron must burn fragrant incense^(I) on the altar every morning when he tends the lamps. ⁸He must burn incense again when he lights the lamps at twilight so incense will burn regularly before the Lord for the generations to come.^(J) ⁹Do not offer on this altar any other incense^(K) or any burnt offering or grain offering, and do not pour a drink offering on it. ¹⁰Once a year^(L) Aaron shall make atonement^(M) on its horns. This annual atonement must be made with the blood of the atoning sin offering^[b]^(N) for the generations to come.^(O) It is most holy to the Lord.”

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Footnotes

Exodus 30:2 That is, about 1 1/2 feet long and wide and 3 feet high or about 45 centimeters long and wide and 90 centimeters high
Exodus 30:10 Or purification offering

Hebrews 4:14-5:4

New International Version

Jesus the Great High Priest

¹⁴Therefore, since we have a great high priest^(A) who has ascended into heaven,^[a]^(B) Jesus the Son of God,^(C) let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.^(D) ¹⁵For we do not have a high priest^(E) who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are^(F)—yet he did not sin.^(G) ¹⁶Let us then approach^(H) God’s throne of grace with confidence,^(I) so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

5 Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God,^(J) to offer gifts and sacrifices^(K) for sins.^(L) ²He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray,^(M) since he himself is subject to weakness.^(N) ³This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.^(O) ⁴And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.^(P)