TRULY God is loving unto Israel: * even unto such as are of a clean heart.
Nevertheless, my feet were almost gone, * my treadings had well-nigh slipt.
And why? I was grieved at the wicked: * I do also see the ungodly in such prosperity.
For they are in no peril of death; * but are lusty and strong.
They come in no misfortune like other folk; * neither are they plagued like other men.
And this is the cause that they are so holden with pride, * and cruelty covereth them as a garment.
Their eyes swell with fatness, * and they do even what they lust.
They corrupt other, and speak of wicked blasphemy; * their talking is against the Most High.
For they stretch forth their mouth unto the heaven, * and their tongue goeth through the world.
Therefore fall the people unto them, * and thereout suck they no small advantage.
Tush, say they, how should God perceive it? * is there knowledge in the Most High?
Lo, these are the ungodly, * these prosper in the world, and these have riches in possession:
And I said, Then have I cleansed my heart in vain, * and washed my hands in innocency.
All the day long have I been punished, * and chastened every morning.
Yea, and I had almost said even as they; * but lo, then I should have condemned the generation of thy children.
Then thought I to understand this; * but it was too hard for me,
Until I went into the sanctuary of God: * then understood I the end of these men;
Namely, how thou dost set them in slippery places, * and castest them down, and destroyest them.
O how suddenly do they consume, * perish, and come to a fearful end!
Yea, even like as a dream when one awaketh; * so shalt thou make their image to vanish out of the city.
Thus my heart was grieved, * and it went even through my reins.
So foolish was I, and ignorant, * even as it were a beast before thee.
Nevertheless, I am alway by thee; * for thou hast holden me by my right hand.
Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, * and after that receive me with glory.
Whom have I in heaven but thee? * and there is none upon earth that I desire in comparison of thee.
My flesh and my heart faileth; * but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
For lo, they that forsake thee shall perish; * thou hast destroyed all them that are unfaithful unto thee.
But it is good for me to hold me fast by God, to put my trust in the Lord GOD, * and to speak of all thy works in the gates of the daughter of Sion.

Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag; It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance. And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped. And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also. And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead? And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him. And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I. And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite. He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me. So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord. Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him: And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the Lord, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword. And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite. And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the Lord's anointed? And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died. And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the Lord's anointed.

Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude. Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

O GOD, who declarest thy almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity; Mercifully grant unto us such a measure of thy grace, that we, running the way of thy commandments, may obtain thy gracious promises, and be made partakers of thy heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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