Psalm 57^[a](A)

For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam.^[b] When he had fled from Saul into the cave.^(B)

²³ When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her donkey and bowed down before David with her face to the ground.^{(A) 24} She fell at his feet and said: “Pardon your servant, my lord,^(B) and let me speak to you; hear what your servant has to say. ²⁵ Please pay no attention, my lord, to that wicked man Nabal. He is just like his name—his name means Fool^(C),^(D) and folly goes with him. And as for me, your servant, I did not see the men my lord sent. ²⁶ And now, my lord, as surely as the Lord your God lives and as you live, since the Lord has kept you from bloodshed^(E) and from avenging^(F) yourself with your own hands, may your enemies and all who are intent on harming my lord be like Nabal.^{(G) 27} And let this gift,^(H) which your servant has brought to my lord, be given to the men who follow you.

²⁸ “Please forgive^(I) your servant’s presumption. The Lord your God will certainly make a lasting^(J) dynasty for my lord, because you fight the Lord’s battles,^(K) and no wrongdoing^(L) will be found in you as long as you live. ²⁹ Even though someone is pursuing you to take your life,^(M) the life of my lord will be bound securely in the bundle of the living by the Lord your God, but the lives of your enemies he will hurl^(N) away as from the pocket of a sling.^{(O) 30} When the Lord has fulfilled for my lord every good thing he promised concerning him and has appointed him ruler^(P) over Israel, ³¹ my lord will not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself. And when the Lord your God has brought my lord success, remember^(Q) your servant.”^(R)

³² David said to Abigail, “Praise^(S) be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me. ³³ May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed^(T) this day and from avenging myself with my own hands. ³⁴ Otherwise, as surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, who has kept me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, not one male belonging to Nabal^(U) would have been left alive by daybreak.”

³⁵ Then David accepted from her hand what she had brought him and said, “Go home in peace. I have heard your words and granted^(V) your request.”

Patience in Suffering

⁷ Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming.^(A) See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting^(B) for the autumn and spring rains.^{(C) 8} You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming^(D) is near.^{(E) 9} Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters,^(F) or you will be judged. The Judge^(G) is standing at the door!^(H)

¹⁰ Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets^(I) who spoke in the name of the Lord. ¹¹ As you know, we count as blessed^(J) those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance^(K) and have seen what the Lord finally brought about.^(L) The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.^(M)

¹² Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.^(N)