and he spoketo them according to the adviceof the youngmen,saying,"My fathermadeyour yokeheavy,but I will addto your yoke;my fatherdisciplinedyou with whips,but I will disciplineyou with scorpions."
The kingansweredthe peopleharshly,for he forsookthe adviceof the elderswhichthey had givenhim,
The Egyptianscompelled the sonsof Israelto laborrigorously;
and they madetheir livesbitterwith hardlaborin mortarand bricksand at all[kinds] of laborin the field,alltheir laborswhichthey rigorouslyimposedon them.
The thoughtsof the righteousare just,[But] the counselsof the wickedare deceitful.
Through insolencecomesnothingbut strife,But wisdomis with those who receivecounsel.
Pride[goes] beforedestruction,And a haughtyspiritbeforestumbling.
The beginningof strifeis [like] lettingout water,So abandonthe quarrelbeforeit breaksout.
If a rulerpaysattentionto falsehood,Allhis ministers[become] wicked.
"I have not listenedto the voiceof my teachers,Norinclinedmy earto my instructors!
The endof a matteris betterthanits beginning;Patienceof spiritis betterthanhaughtinessof spirit.
"Allthe commissionersof the kingdom,the prefectsand the satraps,the highofficialsand the governorshave consultedtogetherthat the kingshould establisha statuteand enforcean injunctionthat anyonewhomakesa petitionto anygodor manbesidesyou, O king,for thirtydays,shall be castinto the lions'den.
But ifyou havebitterjealousyand selfish ambitionin your heart,do not be arrogantand [so] lieagainstthe truth.
