¹⁵ Was that day the first time I inquired of God for him? Of course not! Let not the king accuse your servant or any of his father’s family, for your servant knows nothing at all about this whole affair.”

¹⁶ keeping a clear conscience,^(A) so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.^{(B) 17} For it is better, if it is God’s will,^(C) to suffer for doing good^(D) than for doing evil.

³⁶ When Abigail went to Nabal, he was in the house holding a banquet like that of a king. He was in high^(A) spirits and very drunk.^(B) So she told^(C) him nothing at all until daybreak.

Paul’s Change of Plans

¹² Now this is our boast: Our conscience^(A) testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity^[a](B) and godly sincerity.^(C) We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom^(D) but on God’s grace.

¹¹ Two hundred men from Jerusalem had accompanied Absalom. They had been invited as guests and went quite innocently, knowing nothing about the matter.

⁵ Did he not say to me, ‘She is my sister,^(A)’ and didn’t she also say, ‘He is my brother’? I have done this with a clear conscience^(B) and clean hands.^(C)”

⁶ Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept^(D) you from sinning against me.^(E) That is why I did not let you touch her.