Whereasmy fatherloadedyou with a heavyyoke,I will addto your yoke;my fatherdisciplinedyou with whips,but I [will discipline you] with scorpions.'"
The youngmenwhogrewup with him spoketo him, saying,"Thusyou shall sayto the peoplewhospoketo you, saying,'Your fathermadeour yokeheavy,but you makeit lighterfor us.' Thusyou shall sayto them, 'My littlefingeris thickerthanmy father'sloins!
So Jeroboamand allthe peoplecameto Rehoboamon the thirddayas the kinghad directed,saying,"Returnto me on the thirdday."
"So gonow[and] work;for you will be givennostraw,yet you must deliverthe quotaof bricks."
"I was angrywith My people,I profanedMy heritageAnd gavethem into your hand.You did not showmercyto them, On the agedyou madeyour yokeveryheavy.
"Is thisnot the fastwhich I choose,To loosenthe bondsof wickedness,To undothe bandsof the yoke,And to letthe oppressedgofreeAnd breakeveryyoke?
"TakeMy yokeupon you and learnfrom Me, for I amgentleand humblein heart,and YOU WILL FINDRESTFOR YOUR SOULS.
"Behold,I have givenyou authorityto treadon serpentsand scorpions,and overallthe powerof the enemy,and nothingwill injureyou.
They havetailslikescorpions,and stings;and in their tailsis their powerto hurtmenfor fivemonths.
Thenout of the smokecamelocustsupon the earth,and powerwas giventhem, as the scorpionsof the earthhavepower.
And they were not permittedto killanyone,but to tormentfor fivemonths;and their tormentwas likethe tormentof a scorpionwhenit stingsa man.
"Then you will cryout in that daybecauseof your kingwhomyou have chosenfor yourselves, but the LORDwill not answeryou in that day."
