Therefore, I am commanding you to set apart for yourselves three cities.

It is not with you alone that I am making this covenant by oath,

For I raise up my hand to heaven, and say, ‘As surely as I live forever,

Now yes, it is true that I am a guardian, but there is another guardian who is a closer relative than I am.

This ought not to be, my sons! For the report that I hear circulating among the Lord’s people is not good.

Samuel replied, “If that is the case, then what is this sound of sheep in my ears and the sound of cattle that I hear?”

Then Abner turned and asked, “Is that you, Asahel?” He replied, “Yes it is!”

Look, I will be waiting at the fords of the desert until word from you reaches me.”

Bathsheba replied, “That’s fine, I’ll speak to the king on your behalf.”

‘I am pure, without transgression; I am clean and have no iniquity.

But I am a worm, not a man; people insult me and despise me.

He says, “Stop your striving and recognize that I am God! I will be exalted over the nations! I will be exalted over the earth!”

He says: “Listen my people! I am speaking! Listen Israel! I am accusing you! I am God, your God!

When the earth and all its inhabitants dissolve in fear, I make its pillars secure.” (Selah)

I am the Lord, your God, the one who brought you out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide and I will fill it!’

Remember what I accomplished in antiquity! Truly I am God, I have no peer; I am God, and there is none like me,

Can a woman forget her baby who nurses at her breast? Can she withhold compassion from the child she has borne? Even if mothers were to forget, I could never forget you!

The sovereign Lord has spoken to me clearly; I have not rebelled, I have not turned back.

I am the Lord your God, who churns up the sea so that its waves surge. The Lord who commands armies is his name!

“O afflicted one, driven away, and unconsoled! Look, I am about to set your stones in antimony and I lay your foundation with lapis-lazuli.