20
You stained your reputation and that of your descendants. They suffered punishment for that foolishness of yours, which caused them so much grief.
21
It divided the nation, and a rival kingdom arose in northern Israel.
22
But the Lord will always be merciful and keep all his promises. He will never destroy the descendants of David, whom he chose and who loved him. So for Israel's sake he allowed David's family to survive.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.