²¹ He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat^(A) and confess^(B) over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—all their sins—and put them on the goat’s head. He shall send the goat away into the wilderness in the care of someone appointed for the task.

⁴⁰ Early the next morning they set out for the highest point in the hill country,^(A) saying, “Now we are ready to go up to the land the Lord promised. Surely we have sinned!^(B)”

¹⁰ David was conscience-stricken^(A) after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the Lord, “I have sinned^(B) greatly in what I have done. Now, Lord, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.^(C)”

¹⁷ When David saw the angel who was striking down the people, he said to the Lord, “I have sinned; I, the shepherd,^[a] have done wrong. These are but sheep.^(A) What have they done?^(B) Let your hand fall on me and my family.”^(C)

¹⁷ David said to God, “Was it not I who ordered the fighting men to be counted? I, the shepherd,^[a] have sinned and done wrong. These are but sheep.^(A) What have they done? Lord my God, let your hand fall on me and my family,^(B) but do not let this plague remain on your people.”