A Contrite Sinner’s Prayer for Pardon.

For the music director. A Psalm of David, when [a]Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

51 (A)Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithfulness;
According to the greatness of (B)Your compassion, (C)wipe out my wrongdoings.
(D)Wash me thoroughly from my guilt
And (E)cleanse me from my sin.
For I (F)know my wrongdoings,
And my sin is constantly before me.
(G)Against You, You only, I have sinned
And done what is (H)evil in Your sight,
So that (I)You [b]are justified [c]when You speak
And [d]blameless when You judge.

Behold, I was (J)brought forth in guilt,
And in sin my mother conceived me.
Behold, You desire (K)truth in the [e]innermost being,
And in secret You will (L)make wisdom known to me.
[f]Purify me (M)with hyssop, and I will be clean;
[g]Cleanse me, and I will be (N)whiter than snow.
[h]Let me hear (O)joy and gladness,
Let the (P)bones You have broken rejoice.
(Q)Hide Your face from my sins
And wipe out all my guilty deeds.

10 (R)Create [i]in me a (S)clean heart, God,
And renew a (T)steadfast spirit within me.
11 (U)Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your (V)Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the (W)joy of Your salvation,
And sustain me with a (X)willing spirit.
13 Then I will (Y)teach wrongdoers Your ways,
And sinners will [j]be (Z)converted to You.

14 Save me from (AA)the guilt of bloodshed, God, (AB)the God of my salvation;
Then my (AC)tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness.
15 Lord, [k](AD)open my lips,
So that my mouth may (AE)declare Your praise.
16 For You (AF)do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it;
You do not take pleasure in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a (AG)broken spirit;
A broken and a contrite heart, God, You will not despise.

18 (AH)By Your favor do good to Zion;
[l](AI)Build the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then You will delight in [m](AJ)righteous sacrifices,
In (AK)burnt offering and whole burnt offering;
Then [n]bulls will be offered on Your altar.

Notas al pie

  1. Psalm 51 Title 2 Sam 12:1
  2. Psalm 51:4 Or may be in the right
  3. Psalm 51:4 Many mss in Your words
  4. Psalm 51:4 Lit pure
  5. Psalm 51:6 Or inward parts
  6. Psalm 51:7 Or May You purify...that I may be clean
  7. Psalm 51:7 Or May You cleanse
  8. Psalm 51:8 Or May You cause
  9. Psalm 51:10 Lit for
  10. Psalm 51:13 Or turn back
  11. Psalm 51:15 Or may You open
  12. Psalm 51:18 Or May You build
  13. Psalm 51:19 Or sacrifices of righteousness
  14. Psalm 51:19 Lit they will offer bulls

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)

Have mercy(B) on me, O God,
    according to your unfailing love;(C)
according to your great compassion(D)
    blot out(E) my transgressions.(F)
Wash away(G) all my iniquity
    and cleanse(H) me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is always before me.(I)
Against you, you only, have I sinned(J)
    and done what is evil in your sight;(K)
so you are right in your verdict
    and justified when you judge.(L)
Surely I was sinful(M) at birth,(N)
    sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
    you taught me wisdom(O) in that secret place.(P)

Cleanse(Q) me with hyssop,(R) and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.(S)
Let me hear joy and gladness;(T)
    let the bones(U) you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins(V)
    and blot out(W) all my iniquity.

10 Create in me a pure heart,(X) O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.(Y)
11 Do not cast me(Z) from your presence(AA)
    or take your Holy Spirit(AB) from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation(AC)
    and grant me a willing spirit,(AD) to sustain me.(AE)

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,(AF)
    so that sinners(AG) will turn back to you.(AH)
14 Deliver me(AI) from the guilt of bloodshed,(AJ) O God,
    you who are God my Savior,(AK)
    and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.(AL)
15 Open my lips, Lord,(AM)
    and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 You do not delight in sacrifice,(AN) or I would bring it;
    you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 My sacrifice,(AO) O God, is[b] a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart(AP)
    you, God, will not despise.

18 May it please you to prosper Zion,(AQ)
    to build up the walls of Jerusalem.(AR)
19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,(AS)
    in burnt offerings(AT) offered whole;
    then bulls(AU) will be offered on your altar.

Notas al pie

  1. Psalm 51:1 In Hebrew texts 51:1-19 is numbered 51:3-21.
  2. Psalm 51:17 Or The sacrifices of God are

The Whole Creation Invoked to Praise the Lord.

148 [a]Praise [b]the Lord!
Praise the Lord (A)from the heavens;
Praise Him (B)in the heights!
Praise Him, (C)all His angels;
Praise Him, (D)all His heavenly armies!
Praise Him, sun and moon;
Praise Him, all stars of light!
Praise Him, [c](E)highest heavens,
And the (F)waters that are above the heavens!
They are to praise the name of the Lord,
For (G)He commanded and they were created.
He has also (H)established them forever and ever;
He has made a (I)decree, and it will not pass away.

Praise the Lord from the earth,
(J)Sea monsters, and all the ocean (K)depths;
(L)Fire and hail, (M)snow and (N)clouds;
(O)Stormy wind, (P)fulfilling His word;
(Q)Mountains and all hills;
Fruit (R)trees and all cedars;
10 (S)Animals and all cattle;
(T)Crawling things and winged fowl;
11 (U)Kings of the earth and all peoples;
Rulers and all judges of the earth;
12 Both young men and virgins;
Old men and children.

13 They are to praise the name of the Lord,
For His (V)name alone is exalted;
His (W)majesty is above earth and heaven.
14 And He has (X)lifted up a horn for His people,
(Y)Praise for all His godly ones,
For the sons of Israel, a people (Z)near to Him.
[d]Praise [e]the Lord!

Notas al pie

  1. Psalm 148:1 Or Hallelujah!
  2. Psalm 148:1 Heb Yah
  3. Psalm 148:4 Lit heavens of heavens
  4. Psalm 148:14 Or Hallelujah!
  5. Psalm 148:14 Heb Yah

Psalm 148

Praise the Lord.[a](A)

Praise the Lord from the heavens;(B)
    praise him in the heights above.
Praise him, all his angels;(C)
    praise him, all his heavenly hosts.(D)
Praise him, sun(E) and moon;
    praise him, all you shining stars.
Praise him, you highest heavens(F)
    and you waters above the skies.(G)

Let them praise the name(H) of the Lord,
    for at his command(I) they were created,
and he established them for ever and ever—
    he issued a decree(J) that will never pass away.

Praise the Lord(K) from the earth,
    you great sea creatures(L) and all ocean depths,(M)
lightning and hail,(N) snow and clouds,
    stormy winds that do his bidding,(O)
you mountains and all hills,(P)
    fruit trees and all cedars,
10 wild animals(Q) and all cattle,
    small creatures and flying birds,
11 kings(R) of the earth and all nations,
    you princes and all rulers on earth,
12 young men and women,
    old men and children.

13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,(S)
    for his name alone is exalted;
    his splendor(T) is above the earth and the heavens.(U)
14 And he has raised up for his people a horn,[b](V)
    the praise(W) of all his faithful servants,(X)
    of Israel, the people close to his heart.(Y)

Praise the Lord.

Notas al pie

  1. Psalm 148:1 Hebrew Hallelu Yah; also in verse 14
  2. Psalm 148:14 Horn here symbolizes strength.

Spies View the Land

13 Then (A)the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, (B)Send out men for yourself to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am going to give the sons of Israel; you shall send a man from each of their fathers’ tribes, every one a leader among them.” So Moses sent them from the wilderness of Paran at the [a]command of the Lord, all of them men who were heads of the sons of Israel.

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Notas al pie

  1. Numbers 13:3 Lit mouth

Exploring Canaan

13 The Lord said to Moses, “Send some men to explore(A) the land of Canaan,(B) which I am giving to the Israelites.(C) From each ancestral tribe(D) send one of its leaders.”

So at the Lord’s command Moses sent them out from the Desert of Paran. All of them were leaders of the Israelites.(E)

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21 So they went up and spied out the land from (A)the wilderness of Zin as far as Rehob, [a](B)at Lebo-hamath. 22 When they had gone up into (C)the Negev, [b]they came to Hebron where (D)Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the [c]descendants of (E)Anak were. (Hebron was built seven years before (F)Zoan in Egypt.)

23 Then they came to the [d]Valley of [e](G)Eshcol, and from there they cut off a branch with a single cluster of grapes; and they carried it on a pole between two men, with some of the pomegranates and the figs. 24 That place was called the Valley of [f]Eshcol, because of the cluster which the sons of Israel cut off from there.

The Spies’ Reports

25 When they returned from spying out the land, at the end of forty days, 26 they went on and came to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, [g]in the wilderness of Paran at (H)Kadesh; and they brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land. 27 So they reported to him and said, “We came into the land where you sent us, and (I)it certainly does flow with milk and honey, and (J)this is its fruit. 28 Nevertheless, (K)the people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. And indeed, we saw (L)the [h]descendants of Anak there! 29 Amalek is living in the land of (M)the Negev, the Hittites, the Jebusites, and (N)the Amorites are living in the hill country, and (O)the Canaanites are living by the sea and by the side of the Jordan.”

30 Then Caleb quieted the people [i]before Moses and said, “We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will certainly prevail over it.”

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Notas al pie

  1. Numbers 13:21 Or to the entrance of Hamath
  2. Numbers 13:22 Most mss one came
  3. Numbers 13:22 Lit sons
  4. Numbers 13:23 Or wadi
  5. Numbers 13:23 I.e., cluster (of grapes)
  6. Numbers 13:24 I.e., cluster
  7. Numbers 13:26 Lit to
  8. Numbers 13:28 Lit sons
  9. Numbers 13:30 Lit toward

21 So they went up and explored the land from the Desert of Zin(A) as far as Rehob,(B) toward Lebo Hamath.(C) 22 They went up through the Negev and came to Hebron,(D) where Ahiman, Sheshai and Talmai,(E) the descendants of Anak,(F) lived. (Hebron had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)(G) 23 When they reached the Valley of Eshkol,[a](H) they cut off a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes. Two of them carried it on a pole between them, along with some pomegranates(I) and figs.(J) 24 That place was called the Valley of Eshkol because of the cluster of grapes the Israelites cut off there. 25 At the end of forty days(K) they returned from exploring the land.(L)

Report on the Exploration

26 They came back to Moses and Aaron and the whole Israelite community at Kadesh(M) in the Desert of Paran.(N) There they reported to them(O) and to the whole assembly and showed them the fruit of the land.(P) 27 They gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey!(Q) Here is its fruit.(R) 28 But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large.(S) We even saw descendants of Anak(T) there.(U) 29 The Amalekites(V) live in the Negev; the Hittites,(W) Jebusites(X) and Amorites(Y) live in the hill country;(Z) and the Canaanites(AA) live near the sea and along the Jordan.(AB)

30 Then Caleb(AC) silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”

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Notas al pie

  1. Numbers 13:23 Eshkol means cluster; also in verse 24.

25 For indeed circumcision is of value if you (A)practice [a]the Law; but if you are a violator [b]of the Law, (B)your circumcision has turned into uncircumcision. 26 (C)So if (D)the [c]uncircumcised man (E)keeps the requirements of the Law, will his uncircumcision not be regarded as circumcision? 27 And (F)he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not (G)judge you who [d]though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a violator [e]of the Law? 28 For (H)he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 29 But (I)he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and (J)circumcision is of the heart, by the (K)Spirit, not by the letter; (L)and his praise is not from people, but from God.

All the World Guilty

Then what [f]advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? Great in every respect. First, that (M)they were entrusted with the (N)actual words of God. What then? If (O)some [g]did not believe, their [h]unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it? [i](P)Far from it! Rather, God must prove to be true, though every person be found (Q)a liar, as it is written:

(R)So that You are justified in Your words,
And prevail [j]when You are judged.”

But if our unrighteousness [k](S)demonstrates the righteousness of God, (T)what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He? ((U)I am speaking from a human viewpoint.) (V)Far from it! For otherwise, how will (W)God judge the world? But if through my lie (X)the truth of God abounded to His glory, (Y)why am I also still being judged as a sinner? And why not say (just as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say), “(Z)Let’s do evil that good may come of it”? [l]Their condemnation is deserved.

Notas al pie

  1. Romans 2:25 Or law
  2. Romans 2:25 Or of law
  3. Romans 2:26 Lit uncircumcision
  4. Romans 2:27 Lit through the letter
  5. Romans 2:27 Or of law
  6. Romans 3:1 Lit is the advantage of the Jew
  7. Romans 3:3 Or were unfaithful
  8. Romans 3:3 Or unfaithfulness
  9. Romans 3:4 Lit May it never happen! And so throughout the ch
  10. Romans 3:4 Or in Your judging
  11. Romans 3:5 I.e., by requiring His judgment
  12. Romans 3:8 Lit Whose

25 Circumcision has value if you observe the law,(A) but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised.(B) 26 So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements,(C) will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised?(D) 27 The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you(E) who, even though you have the[a] written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.

28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly,(F) nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.(G) 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart,(H) by the Spirit,(I) not by the written code.(J) Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.(K)

God’s Faithfulness

What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? Much in every way!(L) First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.(M)

What if some were unfaithful?(N) Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?(O) Not at all! Let God be true,(P) and every human being a liar.(Q) As it is written:

“So that you may be proved right when you speak
    and prevail when you judge.”[b](R)

But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly,(S) what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.)(T) Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world?(U) Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory,(V) why am I still condemned as a sinner?”(W) Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”?(X) Their condemnation is just!

Notas al pie

  1. Romans 2:27 Or who, by means of a
  2. Romans 3:4 Psalm 51:4

Forgiveness

21 Then Peter came up and said to Him, “Lord, (A)how many times shall my brother sin against me and I still forgive him? Up to (B)seven times?” 22 Jesus *said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to [a](C)seventy-seven times.

23 “For this reason (D)the kingdom of heaven [b]is like a king who wanted to (E)settle accounts with his slaves. 24 And when he had begun to settle them, one who owed him [c]ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25 But since he [d](F)did not have the means to repay, his master commanded that he (G)be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment be made. 26 So the slave fell to the ground and (H)prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’ 27 And the master of that slave felt compassion, and he released him and (I)forgave him the [e]debt. 28 But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred [f]denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe!’ 29 So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you.’ 30 But he was unwilling, [g]and went and threw him in prison until he would pay back what was owed. 31 So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their master all that had happened. 32 Then summoning him, his master *said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 (J)Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?’ 34 And his master, moved with anger, handed him over to the [h]torturers until he would repay all that was owed him. 35 (K)My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your [i]heart.”

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Notas al pie

  1. Matthew 18:22 Or possibly seventy times seven
  2. Matthew 18:23 Lit has been compared to
  3. Matthew 18:24 By one estimate, a debt of 60 million working days for a laborer
  4. Matthew 18:25 Or was unable to
  5. Matthew 18:27 Or loan
  6. Matthew 18:28 The denarius was a day’s wages for a laborer
  7. Matthew 18:30 Lit but
  8. Matthew 18:34 I.e., jailors assigned to torture prisoners
  9. Matthew 18:35 Lit hearts

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me?(A) Up to seven times?”(B)

22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.[a](C)

23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like(D) a king who wanted to settle accounts(E) with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold[b] was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay,(F) the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold(G) to repay the debt.

26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him.(H) ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins.[c] He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.

29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’

30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.

32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”(I)

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Notas al pie

  1. Matthew 18:22 Or seventy times seven
  2. Matthew 18:24 Greek ten thousand talents; a talent was worth about 20 years of a day laborer’s wages.
  3. Matthew 18:28 Greek a hundred denarii; a denarius was the usual daily wage of a day laborer (see 20:2).