Off the Record

99% pure By Diogenes | November 24, 2009 9:41 AM

A reading from the 2nd book of Samuel, Chapter 12, Verses 7-9, 13:

Nathan said to David, "You are the man. Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, `I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul; and I gave you your master's house, and your master's wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah; and if this were too little, I would add to you as much more.
Why have you despised the word of the LORD, to do what is evil in his sight? You have smitten Uri'ah the Hittite with the sword, and have taken his wife to be your wife, and have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites.

David said to Nathan, "Do not trouble yourself over a bit of adultery and bloodshed, for we agree on 99% of the issues."

This reading is taken from the New Democratic Critical Edition. The Revised Standard Version has a slightly different translation.

If you found this helpful, our bi-weekly Insights emails can notify you of key commentary items. Also, please support this apostolic work. Progress toward our February expenses ($12,066 to go): $17,000.00 $4,934.15 71% 29% Add Insights to your account. | Make a pledge or one-time donation.

It's Your Turn to Sound Off!

» To ensure well-meaning comments, only donors are allowed to Sound Off.
  If you're a donor, log in; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!

Sound Off! Comments

• Posted by: Woody - Nov. 27, 2009 1:29 PM ET USA

  Congressman Murphy's website says: "Due to the large volume of US Mail, email and faxes I receive, I am only able to accept messages from residents of the Eighth Congressional District of Pennsylvania." Living residents, that is.

• Posted by: JR - Nov. 25, 2009 8:03 AM ET USA

  Adamh, I should have have put a ";)" after my tongue-in-cheek question about "freedom". I think we agree that piously defending the killing of the unborn abortion is not a legitimate exercise of true freedom, American or otherwise.

• Posted by: Hal - Nov. 24, 2009 2:09 PM ET USA

  >>>In his 2008 book, "Taking the Hill," Murphy wrote that a local parish priest refused to bless his marriage in 2006 to his wife, Jenni, during his first campaign for Congress because of his stance on abortion rights. "That hurt me deeply," Murphy said.<<<<<< Wow. What a self-absorbed jackass. That pretty much tells you all you need to know right there.

• Posted by: adamah - Nov. 24, 2009 10:46 AM ET USA

  "But... doesn't the American concept of "freedom" mean calling yourself "Catholic" -or anything else you want- without it necessarily meaning anything?".....well, I guess American concept of "freedom" would also allow me to decide 2+2=5. It does not mean it would be right. It is the Church who decides what one needs to believe to be Catholic. This is not left to individual (un)believers.

• Posted by: JR - Nov. 24, 2009 9:58 AM ET USA

  But... doesn't the American concept of "freedom" mean calling yourself "Catholic" -or anything else you want- without it necessarily meaning anything?

• Posted by: John J Plick - Nov. 24, 2009 9:52 AM ET USA

  I prefer this Scripture: 1Sa 3:11 And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. 1Sa 3:12 In that day I will perform against Eli all [things] which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. 1Sa 3:13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.