21:17a And David said to God, “Was it not I who gave the order to count the people?

David said to God, “Was it not I who gave the command to count the men? ⌊Yes, it was!⌋
-or-
David said to God, “I ordered the fighting men to be counted. (New International Reader’s Version)

21:17b I am the one who has sinned and acted wickedly.

I am the leader ⌊of these people⌋ and I have sinned. I did what was wrong.
-or-
I ⌊should care for these people like a⌋ shepherd ⌊cares for his sheep⌋ and I have sinned. I’m the one who did the wrong thing.

21:17c But these sheep,

These people are like sheep. (New International Reader’s Version)
-or-
These people have followed me like sheep that follow a shepherd. (EEB)

21:17d what have they done?

What ⌊wrong⌋ have they done? ⌊They’ve done no wrong.⌋
-or-
The Israelites did not do anything wrong. (English Easy-to-Read Version)

21:17e O LORD my God, please let Your hand fall upon me and my father’s house,

So Yahweh my God, punish me and my family, (Translation for Translators)
-or-
O Yahweh my God, strike me and my family,

21:17f but do not let this plague remain upon Your people.”

but do not let your people ⌊the Israelites⌋ get sick and die.”
-or-
but do not kill your people ⌊Israel⌋ .”

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