³ The king asked, “Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?”

Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan;^(A) he is lame^(B) in both feet.”

⁴ (Jonathan^(A) son of Saul had a son who was lame in both feet. He was five years old when the news^(B) about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled, but as she hurried to leave, he fell and became disabled.^(C) His name was Mephibosheth.)^(D)

³ At one time^(A) we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. ⁴ But when the kindness^(B) and love of God our Savior^(C) appeared,^(D)

³⁶ Be merciful,^(A) just as your Father^(B) is merciful.

⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,^{(A) 45} that you may be children^(B) of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.^(C)

¹⁴ But show me unfailing kindness^(A) like the Lord’s kindness as long as I live, so that I may not be killed, ¹⁵ and do not ever cut off your kindness from my family^(B)—not even when the Lord has cut off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth.”

¹⁶ So Jonathan^(C) made a covenant^(D) with the house of David, saying, “May the Lord call David’s enemies to account.^(E)” ¹⁷ And Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath^(F) out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself.

²⁶ He said, “My lord the king, since I your servant am lame,^(A) I said, ‘I will have my donkey saddled and will ride on it, so I can go with the king.’ But Ziba^(B) my servant betrayed me.

¹⁵ Yet the Lord set his affection on your ancestors and loved^(A) them, and he chose you,^(B) their descendants, above all the nations—as it is today.^(C)

³⁷ Because he loved^(A) your ancestors and chose their descendants after them, he brought you out of Egypt by his Presence and his great strength,^(B)