Praise and Prayer

⁴ But because of his great love for us,^(A) God, who is rich in mercy,

⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace,^(A) which he has freely given us in the One he loves.^{(B) 7} In him we have redemption^(C) through his blood,^(D) the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches^(E) of God’s grace

⁴ Or do you show contempt for the riches^(A) of his kindness,^(B) forbearance^(C) and patience,^(D) not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?^(E)

⁶ “‘Then I passed by and saw you kicking about in your blood, and as you lay there in your blood I said to you, “Live!”^{[a](A) 7} I made you grow^(B) like a plant of the field. You grew and developed and entered puberty. Your breasts had formed and your hair had grown, yet you were stark naked.^(C)

⁸ “‘Later I passed by, and when I looked at you and saw that you were old enough for love, I spread the corner of my garment^(D) over you and covered your naked body. I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant^(E) with you, declares the Sovereign Lord, and you became mine.^(F)

⁹ “‘I bathed you with water and washed^(G) the blood from you and put ointments on you. ¹⁰ I clothed you with an embroidered^(H) dress and put sandals of fine leather on you. I dressed you in fine linen^(I) and covered you with costly garments.^{(J) 11} I adorned you with jewelry:^(K) I put bracelets^(L) on your arms and a necklace^(M) around your neck, ¹² and I put a ring on your nose,^(N) earrings^(O) on your ears and a beautiful crown^(P) on your head.^{(Q) 13} So you were adorned with gold and silver; your clothes^(R) were of fine linen and costly fabric and embroidered cloth. Your food was honey, olive oil^(S) and the finest flour. You became very beautiful and rose to be a queen.^{(T) 14} And your fame^(U) spread among the nations on account of your beauty,^(V) because the splendor I had given you made your beauty perfect, declares the Sovereign Lord.^(W)

Psalm 51^[a]

For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.^(A)

⁶⁶ On the following day he sent the people away. They blessed the king and then went home, joyful and glad in heart for all the good^(A) things the Lord had done for his servant David and his people Israel.