³⁶ Abigail came to Nabal; he was holding a feast in his house like the feast of a king. Nabal’s heart was merry within him, for he was very drunk, so she told him nothing at all until the morning light.^(A)

⁷ for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night.^{(A) 8} But since we belong to the day, let us be sober and put on the breastplate of faith and love and for a helmet the hope of salvation.^(B)

²⁸ Then Absalom commanded his servants, “Watch when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then kill him. Do not be afraid; have I not myself commanded you? Be courageous and valiant.”^(A)

Absalom Avenges the Violation of His Sister

²³ After two full years Absalom had sheepshearers at Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.

¹⁹ and said to her young men, “Go on ahead of me; I am coming after you.” But she did not tell her husband Nabal.^(A)

¹³ let us walk decently as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in illicit sex and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy.^(A)

Coming Persecutions

¹⁶ “I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.^(A)

¹⁸ Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,^(A)

¹⁴ for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,