23. When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her donkey and fell facedown before him, bowing low to the ground.
24. She fell at his feet and said, "Put the blame on me, my master! But please let me, your servant, speak to you directly. Please listen to what your servant has to say.
25. Please, my master, pay no attention to this despicable man Nabal. He’s exactly what his name says he is! His name means fool, and he is foolish! But I myself, your servant, didn’t see the young men that you, my master, sent.
26. I pledge, my master, as surely as the Lord lives and as you live, that the Lord has held you back from bloodshed and taking vengeance into your own hands! But now let your enemies and those who seek to harm my master be exactly like Nabal!
27. Here is a gift, which your servant has brought to my master. Please let it be given to the young men who follow you, my master.
28. Please forgive any offense by your servant. The Lord will definitely make an enduring dynasty for my master because my master fights the Lord’s battles, and nothing evil will be found in you throughout your lifetime.
29. If someone chases after you and tries to kill you, my master, then your life will be bound up securely in the bundle of life by the Lord your God, but he will fling away your enemies’ lives as from the pouch of a sling.
30. When the Lord has done for my master all the good things he has promised you, and has installed you as Israel’s leader,
31. don’t let this be a blot or burden on my master’s conscience, that you shed blood needlessly or that my master took vengeance into his own hands. When the Lord has done good things for my master, please remember your servant."
32. David said to Abigail, "Bless the Lord God of Israel, who sent you to meet me today!
33. And bless you and your good judgment for preventing me from shedding blood and taking vengeance into my own hands today!