2 Samuel 23:1-7 ▼

1 NOW these are the last words of David. David the son of Jesse, the anointed one whose rule has been established, the one whom the God of Jacob has made the sweet psalmist of Israel said,

2 The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me and his word is upon my tongue.

3 The God of Israel said, the Mighty One of Israel spoke to me: He who governs men must be righteous, ruling over those who revere God.

4 He is like the light of the morning when the sun rises, even a morning without clouds, before dawn, a morning free from rain which makes the grass to spring up.

5 Is not my house so with God? For he has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure; for it is he who fulfils all my desire and all my decrees.

6 But the ungodly are all like hard thorns, for they cannot be gathered with hands;

7 But when a man comes near them, he gathers them with the handle of an axe and with iron; and they are utterly burned with fire in the same place.