Then the sonsof Reubenand the sonsof Gadand the half-tribeof Manassehansweredand spoketo the headsof the familiesof Israel.
A gentleanswerturnsawaywrath,But a harshwordstirsup anger.
The plansof the heartbelong to man,But the answerof the tongueis from the LORD.
He who givesan answerbeforehe hears,It is follyand shameto him.
He kissesthe lipsWho givesa rightanswer.
"But as for you, BethlehemEphrathah,[Too] littleto be among the clansof Judah,From you One will goforthfor Me to be rulerin Israel.His goingsforthare from longago,From the daysof eternity."
But Peterbegan[speaking] and [proceeded] to explainto them in orderly sequence,saying,
[This] you know,my belovedbrethren.But everyonemust be quickto hear,slowto speak[and] slowto anger;
Did not Achanthe sonof Zerahactunfaithfullyin the thingsunderthe ban,and wrathfallon allthe congregationof Israel?And that mandid not perishalonein his iniquity.'"
"The MightyOne,God,the LORD,the MightyOne,God,the LORD!He knows,and may Israelitselfknow.If[it was] in rebellion,or ifin an unfaithfulactagainst the LORDdo not saveus thisday!
but sanctifyChristas Lordin your hearts,always[being] readyto make a defenseto everyonewho asksyou to give an accountfor the hopethat is in you, yetwith gentlenessand reverence;
