He spoketo them according to the adviceof the youngmen,saying,"My fathermadeyour yokeheavy,but I will addto it; my fatherdisciplinedyou with whips,but I [will discipline you] with scorpions."
The kingansweredthem harshly,and KingRehoboamforsookthe counselof the elders.
So the kingdid not listento the people,for it was a turn[of events] from Godthat the LORDmight establishHis word,whichHe spokethroughAhijahthe Shiloniteto Jeroboamthe sonof Nebat.
The thoughtsof the righteousare just,[But] the counselsof the wickedare deceitful.
The beginningof strifeis [like] lettingout water,So abandonthe quarrelbeforeit breaksout.
Woeto you, O land,whosekingis a ladand whose princesfeastin the morning.
And whoknowswhether he will be a wisemanora fool?Yet he will have controloverallthe fruitof my laborfor whichI have laboredby actingwiselyunderthe sun.Thistoois vanity.
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.
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.
