1 Samuel 24

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 David then went up from there and stayed in the refuges behind Engedi.	1 Then David ascended from there, and he lived in very secure places in Engedi.
2 And when Saul returned from the pursuit of the Philistines, he was told that David was in the desert near Engedi.	2 And when Saul had returned after pursuing the Philistines, they reported to him, saying, “Behold, David is in the desert of Engedi.”
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.	3 Therefore, Saul, taking three thousand elect men from all of Israel, traveled in order to search for David and his men, even upon the most broken rocks, which are passable only to mountain goats.
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.	4 And he arrived at the sheepfolds, which presented themselves along the way. And a cave was in that place, which Saul entered, so that he might ease his bowels. But David and his men were hiding in the interior part of the cave.
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.	5 And the servants of David said to him: “Behold the day, about which the Lord said to you, ‘I will deliver your enemy to you, so that you may do to him as it will be pleasing in your eyes.’ ” Then David rose up, and he quietly cut off the edge of Saul’s cloak.
6 Afterward, however, David regretted that he had cut off an end of Saul's mantle.	6 After this, his own heart struck David, because he had cut off the edge of Saul’s cloak.
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."	7 And he said to his men: “May the Lord be gracious to me, lest I do this thing to my lord, the Christ of the Lord, so that I lay my hand upon him. For he is the Christ of the Lord.”
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.	8 And David restrained his men with his words, and he would not permit them to rise up against Saul. And so Saul, going out of the cave, continued to undertake his journey.
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	9 Then David also rose up after him. And departing from the cave, he cried out behind the back of Saul, saying: “My lord, the king!” And Saul looked behind him. And David, bowing himself face down to the ground, reverenced.
10 and asked Saul: "Why do you listen to those who say, 'David is trying to harm you'?	10 And he said to Saul: “Why do you listen to the words of men who say: ‘David seeks evil against you?’
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.'	11 Behold, this day your eyes have seen that the Lord has delivered you into my hand, in the cave. And I thought that I might kill you. But my eye has spared you. For I said: I will not extend my hand against my lord, for he is the Christ of the Lord.
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.	12 Moreover, see and know, O my father, the edge of your cloak in my hand. For though I cut off the top of your cloak, I was not willing to extend my hand against you. Turn your soul and see that there is no evil in my hand, nor any iniquity or sin against you. Yet you lie in wait for my life, so that you may take it away.
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.	13 May the Lord judge between me and you. And may the Lord vindicate me from you. But my hand will not be against you.
14 The old proverb says, 'From the wicked comes forth wickedness.' So I will take no action against you.	14 So too, it is said in the ancient proverb, ‘From the impious, impiety will go forth.’ Therefore, my hand will not be upon you.
15 Against whom are you on campaign, O king of Israel? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog, or a single flea!	15 Whom are you pursuing, O king of Israel? Whom are you pursuing? You are pursuing a dead dog, a single flea.
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!"	16 May the Lord be the judge, and may he judge between me and you. And may he see and judge my case, and rescue me from your hand.”
17 When David finished saying these things to Saul, Saul answered, "Is that your voice, my son David?" And he wept aloud.	17 And when David had completed speaking words in this way to Saul, Saul said, “Could this be your voice, my son David?” And Saul lifted up his voice, and he wept.
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.	18 And he said to David: “You are more just than I am. For you have distributed good to me, but I have repaid evil to you.
19 Great is the generosity you showed me today, when the LORD delivered me into your grasp and you did not kill me.	19 And you have revealed this day the good that you have done for me: how the Lord delivered me into your hand, but you did not kill me.
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.	20 For who, when he will have found his enemy, will release him along a good path? So may the Lord repay you for this good turn, because you have acted on my behalf this day.
21 And now, since I know that you shall surely be king and that sovereignty over Israel shall come into your possession,	21 And now I know certainly that you shall be king, and you shall have the kingdom of Israel in your hand.
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."	22 Swear to me in the Lord that you will not take away my offspring after me, nor take away my name from the house of my father.”
23 David gave Saul his oath and Saul returned home, while David and his men went up to the refuge.	23 And David swore to Saul. Therefore, Saul went away to his own house. And David and his men ascended to places that were more secure.