2 Samuel 23:1–7

David’s Last Words

23 These are the last words of David:

“The inspired utterance of David son of Jesse,

the utterance of the man exaltedm by the Most High,

the man anointedn by the God of Jacob,

the hero of Israel’s songs:

2 “The Spirito of the Lord spoke through me;

his word was on my tongue.

3 The God of Israel spoke,

the Rockp of Israel said to me:

‘When one rules over people in righteousness,q

when he rules in the fearr of God,s

4 he is like the lightt of morningu at sunrisev

on a cloudless morning,

like the brightness after rainw

that brings grass from the earth.’

5 “If my house were not right with God,

surely he would not have made with me an everlasting covenant,x

arranged and secured in every part;

surely he would not bring to fruition my salvation

and grant me my every desire.

6 But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns,y

which are not gathered with the hand.

7 Whoever touches thorns

uses a tool of iron or the shaft of a spear;

they are burned up where they lie.”