²⁵ And when their hearts were merry, they said, “Call Samson, and let him entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison, and he performed for them. They made him stand between the pillars,^(A)

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)

⁶ So the two men sat and ate and drank together, and the young woman’s father said to the man, “Why not spend the night and enjoy yourself?”^(A)

²⁷ They went out into the field and gathered the grapes from their vineyards, trod them, and celebrated. Then they went into the temple of their god, ate and drank, and ridiculed Abimelech.^(A)

³⁶ Others suffered mocking and flogging and even chains and imprisonment.^(A)

³⁹ Those who passed by derided^[a] him, shaking their heads^{(A) 40} and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”^{(B) 41} In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying, ⁴² “He saved others; he cannot save himself.^[b] He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him.^{(C) 43} He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to, for he said, ‘I am God’s Son.’ ”^{(D) 44} The rebels who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way.

²⁹ and after twisting some thorns into a crown they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”^(A)

⁶⁷ Then they spat in his face and struck him, and some slapped him,^{(A) 68} saying, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah!^[a] Who is it that struck you?”

⁶ But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and she pleased Herod ⁷ so much that he promised on oath to grant her whatever she might ask.

Penitence and Trust in God