10 Then the heart of David struck him, after the people were numbered. And David said to the Lord: 'I have sinned greatly in what I have done. But I pray that you, O Lord, may take away the iniquity of your servant. For I have acted very foolishly.'
11 And David rose up in the morning, and the word of the Lord went to Gad, the prophet and seer of David, saying:
12 'Go, and say to David: 'Thus says the Lord: I present to you a choice of three things. Choose one of these, whichever you will, so that I may do it to you.'
13 And when Gad had gone to David, he announced it to him, saying: 'Either seven years of famine will come to you in your land; or you will flee for three months from your adversaries, and they will pursue you; or there will be a pestilence in your land for three days. Now then, deliberate, and see what word I may respond to him who sent me.'
14 Then David said to Gad: 'I am in great anguish. But it is better that I should fall into the hands of the Lord (for his mercies are many) than into the hands of men.'
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