Then the womansaid,"Pleaselet your maidservantspeaka wordto my lordthe king."And he said,"Speak."
And Abrahamreplied,"Nowbehold,I have venturedto speakto the Lord,although I am [but] dustand ashes.
Then he said,"Ohmaythe Lordnot be angry,and I shall speakonlythisonce;supposetenare foundthere?"And He said,"I will not destroy[it] on accountof the ten."
Then Judahapproachedhim, and said,"Ohmy lord,may your servantpleasespeaka wordin my lord'sears,and do not be angrywith your servant;for you are equal to Pharaoh.
Then she said,"Pleaselet the kingrememberthe LORDyour God,[so that] the avengerof bloodwill not continueto destroy,otherwisethey will destroymy son."And he said,"As the LORDlives,not one hairof your sonshall fallto the ground."
The womansaid,"Whythen have you plannedsucha thingagainstthe peopleof God?For in speakingthiswordthe kingis as onewhois guilty,[in that] the kingdoes not bringbackhis banishedone.
So he approachedher, and the womansaid,"Are you Joab?"And he answered,"I am." Then she saidto him, "Listento the wordsof your maidservant."And he answered,"I am listening."
Then he said,"I have something[to say] to you." And she said,"Speak."
Righteousare You, O LORD,that I would plead[my] casewith You; IndeedI would discussmattersof justicewith You: Whyhas the wayof the wickedprospered?[Why] are allthose who dealin treacheryat ease?
Agrippasaidto Paul,"You are permittedto speakfor yourself."ThenPaulstretchedout his handand [proceeded] to make his defense:
She fellat his feetand said,"On me alone,my lord,be the blame.And pleaselet your maidservantspeakto you, and listento the wordsof your maidservant.
