A gentleanswerturnsawaywrath,But a harshwordstirsup anger.
By forbearancea rulermay be persuaded,And a softtonguebreaksthe bone.
Hatredstirsup strife,But lovecoversalltransgressions.
A hot-temperedmanstirsup strife,But the slowto angercalmsa dispute.
An angrymanstirsup strife,And a hot-temperedmanaboundsin transgression.
An arrogantman stirsup strife,But he who trustsin the LORDwill prosper.
But the menof Israelansweredthe menof Judahand said,"We have tenpartsin the king,therefore we alsohave more[claim] on Davidthanyou. Whythen did you treatus with contempt?Was it not our advicefirstto bringbackour king?"Yet the wordsof the menof Judahwere harsherthanthe wordsof the menof Israel.
Then they spoketo him, saying,"Ifyou will be a servantto thispeopletoday,and will servethem and grantthem their petition,and speakgoodwordsto them, then they will be your servantsforever."
They spoketo him, saying,"Ifyou will be kindto thispeopleand pleasethem and speakgoodwordsto them, then they will be your servantsforever."
"Will he makemanysupplicationsto you, Orwill he speakto you softwords?
Scornersseta cityaflame,But wisementurnawayanger.
After sayingthishe dismissedthe assembly.
