Then the kingsaidto the Cushite,"Is it wellwith the youngmanAbsalom?"And the Cushiteanswered,"Let the enemiesof my lordthe king,and allwhoriseup againstyou for evil,be as that youngman!"
Then Joabsaidto the Cushite,"Go,tellthe kingwhatyou have seen."So the Cushitebowedto Joaband ran.
The kingsaid,"Is it wellwith the youngmanAbsalom?"And Ahimaazanswered,"When Joabsentthe king'sservant,and your servant,I sawa greattumult,but I did not knowwhat[it was]."
Let thisbe the rewardof my accusersfrom the LORD,And of those who speakevilagainstmy soul.
"Let his mindbe changedfrom [that of] a manAnd let a beast'smindbe givento him, And let sevenperiods of timepassoverhim.
"ThenDaniel,whosenameis Belteshazzar,was appalledfor a whileas his thoughtsalarmedhim. The kingrespondedand said,'Belteshazzar,do not let the dreamor its interpretationalarmyou.' Belteshazzarreplied,My lord,[if only] the dreamapplied to those who hateyou and its interpretationto your adversaries!
"Thuslet allYour enemiesperish,O LORD;But let those who loveHim be like the risingof the sunin its might."And the landwas undisturbedfor fortyyears.
"Nowtherefore, my lord,as the LORDlives,and as your soullives,sincethe LORDhas restrainedyou from sheddingblood,and from avengingyourself by your own hand,nowthen let your enemiesand those who seekevilagainstmy lord,be as Nabal.
