1 Samuel 24

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Then David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds of Engaddi.	1 David then went up from there and stayed in the refuges behind Engedi.
2 And when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, they told him, saying: Behold, David is in the desert of Engaddi.	2 And when Saul returned from the pursuit of the Philistines, he was told that David was in the desert near Engedi.
3 Saul therefore took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went out to seek after David, and his men, even upon the most craggy rocks, which are accessible only to wild goats.	3 So Saul took three thousand picked men from all Israel and went in search of David and his men in the direction of the wild goat crags.
4 And he came to the sheepcotes, which were in his way. And there was a cave, into which Saul went, to ease nature: now David and his men lay hid in the inner part of the cave.	4 When he came to the sheepfolds along the way, he found a cave, which he entered to ease nature. David and his men were occupying the inmost recesses of the cave.
5 And the servants of David said to him: Behold the day, of which the Lord said to thee: I will deliver thy enemy unto thee, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good in thy eyes. Then David arose, and secretly cut off the hem of Saul's robe.	5 David's servants said to him, "This is the day of which the LORD said to you, 'I will deliver your enemy into your grasp; do with him as you see fit.'" So David moved up and stealthily cut off an end of Saul's mantle.
6 After which David's heart struck him, because he had cut off the hem of Saul's robe.	6 Afterward, however, David regretted that he had cut off an end of Saul's mantle.
7 And he said to his men: The Lord be merciful unto me, that I may do no such thing to my master the Lord's anointed, as to lay my hand upon him, because he is the Lord's anointed.	7 He said to his men, "The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD'S anointed, as to lay a hand on him, for he is the Lord's anointed."
8 And David stopped his men with his words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rising up out of the cave, went on his way.	8 With these words David restrained his men and would not permit them to attack Saul. Saul then left the cave and went on his way.
9 And David also rose up after him: and going out of the cave cried after Saul, saying: My lord the king. And Saul looked behind him: and David bowing himself down to the ground, worshipped,	9 David also stepped out of the cave, calling to Saul, "My lord the king!" When Saul looked back, David bowed to the ground in homage
10 And said to Saul: Why dost thou hear the words of men that say David seeketh thy hurt?	10 and asked Saul: "Why do you listen to those who say, 'David is trying to harm you'?
11 Behold this day thy eyes have seen, that the Lord hath delivered thee into my hand, in the cave, and I had a thought to kill thee, but my eye hath spared thee. For I said: I will not put out my hand against my lord, because he is the Lord's anointed.	11 You see for yourself today that the LORD just now delivered you into my grasp in the cave. I had some thought of killing you, but I took pity on you instead. I decided, 'I will not raise a hand against my lord, for he is the LORD'S anointed and a father to me.'
12 Moreover see and know, O my father, the hem of thy robe in my hand, that when I cut, off the hem of thy robe, I would not put out my hand against thee. Reflect, and see, that there is no evil in my hand, nor iniquity, neither have I sinned against thee: but thou liest in wait for my life, to take it away.	12 Look here at this end of your mantle which I hold. Since I cut off an end of your mantle and did not kill you, see and be convinced that I plan no harm and no rebellion. I have done you no wrong, though you are hunting me down to take my life.
13 The Lord judge between me and thee, and the Lord revenge me of thee: but my hand shall not be upon thee.	13 The LORD will judge between me and you, and the LORD will exact justice from you in my case. I shall not touch you.
14 As also it is said in the old proverb: From the wicked shall wickedness come forth: therefore my hand shall not be upon thee. After whom dost thou come out, O king of Israel?	14 The old proverb says, 'From the wicked comes forth wickedness.' So I will take no action against you.
15 After whom dost thou pursue? After a dead dog, after a flea.	15 Against whom are you on campaign, O king of Israel? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog, or a single flea!
16 Be the Lord judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and judge my cause, and deliver me out of thy hand.	16 The LORD will be the judge; he will decide between me and you. May he see this, and take my part, and grant me justice beyond your reach!"
17 And when David had made an end of speaking these words to Saul, Saul said: Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.	17 When David finished saying these things to Saul, Saul answered, "Is that your voice, my son David?" And he wept aloud.
18 And he said to David: Thou art more just than I: for thou hast done good to me, and I have rewarded thee with evil.	18 Saul then said to David: "You are in the right rather than I; you have treated me generously, while I have done you harm.
19 And thou hast shewn this day what good things thou hast done to me: how the Lord delivered me into thy hand, and thou hast not killed me.	19 Great is the generosity you showed me today, when the LORD delivered me into your grasp and you did not kill me.
20 For who when he hath found his enemy, will let him go well away? But the Lord reward thee for this good turn, for what thou hast done to me this day.	20 For if a man meets his enemy, does he send him away unharmed? May the LORD reward you generously for what you have done this day.
21 And now as I know that thou shalt surely be king, and have the kingdom of Israel in thy hand:	21 And now, since I know that you shall surely be king and that sovereignty over Israel shall come into your possession,
22 Swear to me by the Lord, that thou wilt not destroy my seed after me, nor take away my name from the house of my father.	22 swear to me by the LORD that you will not destroy my descendants and that you will not blot out my name and family."
23 And David swore to Saul. So Saul went home: and David and his men went up into safer places.	23 David gave Saul his oath and Saul returned home, while David and his men went up to the refuge.