⁷ Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die.

¹⁶ We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers and sisters.^(A)

⁴ who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but also all the churches of the gentiles.

²⁴ for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were brought to the Lord.^(A)

¹³ No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.^(A)

¹⁴ David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then at Bethlehem.^{(A) 15} David said longingly, “Oh, that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate!” ¹⁶ Then the three warriors broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and brought it to David. But he would not drink of it; he poured it out to the Lord, ¹⁷ for he said, “The Lord forbid that I should do this. Can I drink the blood of the men who went at the risk of their lives?” Therefore he would not drink it. The three warriors did these things.^(B)

²⁷ The sentinel said, “I think the first one runs like Ahimaaz son of Zadok.” The king said, “He is a good man and comes with good tidings.”

³ But the men said, “You shall not go out. For if we flee, they will not care about us. If half of us die, they will not care about us. But you are worth ten thousand of us;^[a] therefore it is better that you send us help from the city.”^(A)