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Berean Standard Bible

“For we will surely die and be like water poured out on the ground, which cannot be recovered. Yet God does not take away a life, but He devises ways that the banished one may not be cast out from Him.”

2 Samuel 14:14

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Study note

Absalom, David's son, has killed his brother Amnon and fled into exile. Joab arranges for a wise woman from Tekoa to bring David a made-up story that moves him to think about bringing Absalom home.

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Compare translations

Berean Standard Bible (BSB)

For we will surely die and be like water poured out on the ground, which cannot be recovered. Yet God does not take away a life, but He devises ways that the banished one may not be cast out from Him.

World English Bible (WEB)

For we must die, and are like water spilled on the ground, which can’t be gathered up again; neither does God take away life, but devises means, that he who is banished not be an outcast from him.

King James Version (KJV)

For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.

American Standard Version (ASV)

For we must needs die, and are as water split on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God take away life, but deviseth means, that he that is banished be not an outcast from him.

Bible in Basic English (BBE)

For death comes to us all, and we are like water drained out on the earth, which it is not possible to take up again; and God will not take away the life of the man whose purpose is that he who has been sent away may not be completely cut off from him.

Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

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Reina-Valera 1909 (RVR 1909)

Porque de cierto morimos, y somos como aguas derramadas por tierra, que no pueden volver á recogerse: ni Dios quita la vida, sino que arbitra medio para que su desviado no sea de él excluído.

Sagradas Escrituras 1569 (SE 1569)

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Nueva Biblia Viva (NBV)

Todos debemos morir. Nuestras vidas son como el agua que es derramada en tierra, que no puede volverse a recoger. Pero Dios lo bendecirá a usted con una vida más larga si permite que su hijo regrese del destierro.

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