Abraham spoke again: "Please forgive my boldness in continuing to speak to you, Lord. I am only a man and have no right to say anything.

Then King David went into the Tent of the LORD's presence, sat down and prayed, "Sovereign LORD, I am not worthy of what you have already done for me, nor is my family.

In the past I knew only what others had told me, but now I have seen you with my own eyes.

So I am ashamed of all I have said and repent in dust and ashes.

I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord; all the good things I have come from you."

I said, "There is no hope for me! I am doomed because every word that passes my lips is sinful, and I live among a people whose every word is sinful. And yet, with my own eyes I have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."

I will tell of the LORD's unfailing love; I praise him for all he has done for us. He has richly blessed the people of Israel because of his mercy and constant love.

Our kings, our rulers, and our ancestors have acted shamefully and sinned against you, Lord.

You are merciful and forgiving, although we have rebelled against you.

When Simon Peter saw what had happened, he fell on his knees before Jesus and said, "Go away from me, Lord! I am a sinful man!"

It is the same with you; when you have done all you have been told to do, say, 'We are ordinary servants; we have only done our duty.' "

I am acting like a fool---but you have made me do it. You are the ones who ought to show your approval of me. For even if I am nothing, I am in no way inferior to those very special "apostles" of yours.

I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength for my work. I thank him for considering me worthy and appointing me to serve him,

And our Lord poured out his abundant grace on me and gave me the faith and love which are ours in union with Christ Jesus.

In the same way you younger people must submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you must put on the apron of humility, to serve one another; for the scripture says, "God resists the proud, but shows favor to the humble."

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and there is no truth in us.

If we say that we have not sinned, we make a liar out of God, and his word is not in us.

He said, "Praise the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has faithfully kept his promise to my master. The LORD has led me straight to my master's relatives."

Yet you made them inferior only to yourself; you crowned them with glory and honor.

He said, "Praise the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has faithfully kept his promise to my master. The LORD has led me straight to my master's relatives."

Remember, I will be with you and protect you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done all that I have promised you."

May he rule forever in your presence, O God; protect him with your constant love and faithfulness.

Love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will embrace.

You will show your faithfulness and constant love to your people, the descendants of Abraham and of Jacob, as you promised our ancestors long ago.

Jacob left Beersheba and started toward Haran.

At sunset he came to a holy place and camped there. He lay down to sleep, resting his head on a stone.

All the wealth you lost will be nothing compared with what God will give you then.

O LORD, you protect me and save me; your care has made me great, and your power has kept me safe.

I own cattle, donkeys, sheep, goats, and slaves. I am sending you word, sir, in the hope of gaining your favor."

Jacob was frightened and worried. He divided into two groups the people who were with him, and also his sheep, goats, cattle, and camels.

In this way Jacob became very wealthy. He had many flocks, slaves, camels, and donkeys.

Remember that it is the LORD your God who gives you the power to become rich. He does this because he is still faithful today to the covenant that he made with your ancestors.

O LORD, you protect me and save me; your care has made me great, and your power has kept me safe.

They grow stronger as they go; they will see the God of gods on Zion.

Those who claim to be respectable are more and more convinced they are right.

The road the righteous travel is like the sunrise, getting brighter and brighter until daylight has come.