Then Abnersaidto Joab,"Nowlet the youngmenariseand holda contestbeforeus." And Joabsaid,"Let them arise."
So they aroseand wentoverby count,twelvefor Benjaminand Ish-bosheththe sonof Saul,and twelveof the servantsof David.
Eachoneof them seizedhis opponentby the headand [thrust] his swordin his opponent'sside;so they felldowntogether.Therefore that placewas calledHelkath-hazzurim,whichis in Gibeon.
That daythe battlewas verysevere,and Abnerand the menof Israelwere beatenbeforethe servantsof David.
ThenAmaziahsentmessengersto Jehoash,the sonof Jehoahazsonof Jehu,kingof Israel,saying,"Come,let us faceeach other."
Doingwickednessis like sportto a fool,And [so is] wisdomto a manof understanding.
The beginningof strifeis [like] lettingout water,So abandonthe quarrelbeforeit breaksout.
Prepareplansby consultation,And makewarby wiseguidance.
Do not goout hastilyto argue[your case]; Otherwise,whatwill you doin the end,When your neighborhumiliatesyou?
