1 Samuel 25:26

24 She fell at his feet and said, “My lord, may the blame be on me alone, but please let your servant speak to you; hear the words of your servant.

25 My lord should pay no attention to this scoundrel Nabal, for he lives up to his name: His name means Fool, and folly accompanies him. I, your servant, did not see my lord’s young men whom you sent.

Now, my lord, as surely as the LORD lives and you yourself live, the LORD has held you back from coming to bloodshed and avenging yourself with your own hand. May your enemies and those who seek harm for my lord be like Nabal.

27 Now let this gift your servant has brought to my lord be given to the young men who follow you.

28 Please forgive your servant’s offense, for the LORD will surely make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because he fights the LORD’s battles. May no evil be found in you as long as you live.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Now, my lord, as surely as the LORD lives and you yourself live, the LORD has held you back from coming to bloodshed and avenging yourself with your own hand. May your enemies and those who seek harm for my lord be like Nabal.
KJV
Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal.
WEB
Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD lives and as your soul lives, since the LORD has withheld you from blood guiltiness and from avenging yourself with your own hand, now therefore let your enemies and those who seek evil to my lord be as Nabal.
ASV
Now therefore, my lord, as Jehovah liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing Jehovah hath withholden thee from bloodguiltiness, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now therefore let thine enemies, and them that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal.
DARBY
And now, my lord, [as] Jehovah liveth, and [as] thy soul liveth, seeing Jehovah has restrained thee from coming with bloodshed, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal.
BLB
And now my lord, [as] YHWH lives, and [as] your soul lives, since YHWH has held you back from coming to bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hand, let now your enemies be as Nabal and those seeking harm against my lord.
ÅB
Og nå, herre, så sant Herren lever, og så sant du selv lever, har Herren hindret deg fra å pådra deg blodskyld og fra å ta deg selv til rette; og nå skal dine fiender og de som søker å volde min herre ulykke, bli som Nabal.
OTB
Nå da, min herre, så sant Herren lever og så sant du lever, siden Herren har holdt deg fra å utgyte blod, og fra å hevne deg med din egen hånd, måtte dine fiender og de som søker skade mot min herre være som Nabal.
B1930
Og nu, herre, så sant Herren lever, og så sant du selv lever, har Herren hindret dig fra å pådra dig blodskyld og fra å ta dig selv til rette; og nu skal dine fiender og de som søker å volde min herre ulykke, bli som Nabal.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 2 Samuel 18:32

    The king asked the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom all right?” And the Cushite replied, “May what has become of the young man happen to the enemies of my lord the king and to all who rise up against you to harm you.”

    Read in context
  • Romans 12:19–20

    Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”

    Read in context
  • Genesis 20:6

    Then God said to Abimelech in the dream, “Yes, I know that you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against Me. That is why I did not let you touch her.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 18:47–48

    the God who avenges me and subdues nations beneath me,

    Read in context
  • Hebrews 10:30

    For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge His people.”

    Read in context
  • Daniel 4:19

    For a time, Daniel, who was also known as Belteshazzar, was perplexed, and his thoughts alarmed him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation alarm you.” “My lord,” replied Belteshazzar, “may the dream apply to those who hate you, and its interpretation to your enemies!

    Read in context
  • 1 Samuel 25:33–34

    Blessed is your discernment, and blessed are you, because today you kept me from bloodshed and from avenging myself by my own hand.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 44:3

    For it was not by their sword that they took the land; their arm did not bring them victory. It was by Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your face, because You favored them.

    Read in context