So I sent messengers to them, saying, "I [am] doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?"

"For he took his life in his hands and killed the Philistine, and the LORD brought about a great deliverance for all Israel. You saw [it] and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood, to kill David without a cause?"

Surely you have instructed many, And you have strengthened weak hands.

But now it comes upon you, and you are weary; It touches you, and you are troubled.

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. In the LORD I put my trust; How can you say to my soul, "Flee [as] a bird to your mountain"?

For look! The wicked bend [their] bow, They make ready their arrow on the string, That they may shoot secretly at the upright in heart.

Surely he will never be shaken; The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance.

His heart [is] established; He will not be afraid, Until he sees [his desire] upon his enemies.

The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion.

And it will consume the glory of his forest and of his fruitful field, Both soul and body; And they will be as when a sick man wastes away.

On that very day some Pharisees came, saying to Him, "Get out and depart from here, for Herod wants to kill You."

"Nevertheless I must journey today, tomorrow, and the [day] following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem.

Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

"But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Then Paul answered, "What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."

By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.

For they all [were trying to] make us afraid, saying, "Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be done." Now therefore, [O God,] strengthen my hands.

"Now why will you discourage the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD has given them?

"For when they went up to the Valley of Eshcol and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel, so that they did not go into the land which the LORD had given them.

Dead flies putrefy the perfumer's ointment, And cause it to give off a foul odor; [So does] a little folly to one respected for wisdom [and] honor.

Yes, and if I am being poured out [as a drink offering] on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.

because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.