2 Samuel 23:5-7

New International Reader's Version

⁵ “Suppose my royal family was not right with God.
    Then he would not have made a covenant with me that will last forever.
    Every part of it was well prepared and made secure.
Then God would not have saved me completely
    or given me everything I longed for.
⁶ But evil people are like thorns that are thrown away.
    You can’t pick them up with your hands.
⁷ Even if you touch them,
    you must use an iron tool or a spear.
    Thorns are burned up right where they are.”