2 Samuel 23:1-7
New Living Translation
David’s Last Words
23 These are the last words of David:
“David, the son of Jesse, speaks—
David, the man who was raised up so high,
David, the man anointed by the God of Jacob,
David, the sweet psalmist of Israel.[a]
2 “The Spirit of the Lord speaks through me;
his words are upon my tongue.
3 The God of Israel spoke.
The Rock of Israel said to me:
‘The one who rules righteously,
who rules in the fear of God,
4 is like the light of morning at sunrise,
like a morning without clouds,
like the gleaming of the sun
on new grass after rain.’
5 “Is it not my family God has chosen?
Yes, he has made an everlasting covenant with me.
His agreement is arranged and guaranteed in every detail.
He will ensure my safety and success.
6 But the godless are like thorns to be thrown away,
for they tear the hand that touches them.
7 One must use iron tools to chop them down;
they will be totally consumed by fire.”
Footnotes
- 23:1 Or the favorite subject of the songs of Israel; or the favorite of the Strong One of Israel.
2 Samuel 23:1-7
International Standard Version
David’s Oracle
23 This was David’s last composition:
The oracle of David, son of Jesse,
an oracle by the valiant one who was exalted—
anointed by the God of Jacob,
the contented psalm writer of Israel.
2 The Spirit of the Lord speaks within[a] me;
his word is on my tongue!
3 The God of Israel has spoken;
the Rock of Israel has talked to me.
“When one is governing men justly,
he fears God while governing.
4 He is like dawn’s first[b] light,
like bright sun blazing on a cloudless morning,
glistening on grassland that flourishes after a rain shower.
5 Is not my dynasty[c] like this with God?
Has he not made an eternal covenant with me,
preparing every detail of it?
And he has made it secure,
including my complete[d] salvation, has he not?
He has been of continual [e] help, has he not,
even with respect to all of my desires?
6 But ungodly men[f] are like thorns that are discarded
because they cannot be safely[g] handled.
7 Whoever handles them
wears heavy duty clothing,[h]
carries strong tools,[i]
and burns them to ashes on the spot![j]
Footnotes
- 2 Samuel 23:2 Or through
- 2 Samuel 23:4 The Heb. lacks first
- 2 Samuel 23:5 Lit. house
- 2 Samuel 23:5 Lit. including all of my
- 2 Samuel 23:5 Lit. He has been all
- 2 Samuel 23:6 Lit. But Belial
- 2 Samuel 23:6 The Heb. lacks safely
- 2 Samuel 23:7 Lit. arms himself with iron
- 2 Samuel 23:7 Lit. and a spear shaft
- 2 Samuel 23:7 Lit. ashes where they sit
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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