2 Chronicles 10:3-11
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 10
3So they sent word and summoned him. When Jeroboam and all Israel came, they spoke to Rehoboam, saying, 4Your father made our yoke hard; but now, lighten the hard labor imposed by your father and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you.' 5He said to them, 'Return to me again in three days.' So the people departed.
6And then King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon while he was still alive, saying, 'How do you advise me to answer this people?'
7They spoke to him, saying, 'If you are kind to this people and please them and speak pleasant words to them, then they will be your servants always.'
8But he ignored the advice of the elders which they had given him, and consulted with the young men who had grown up with him and served him.
9He said to them, 'What advice do you give, so that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke which your father put on us’?'
10The young men who had grown up with him spoke to him, saying, 'This is what you should say to the people who spoke to you, saying: ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you make it lighter for us!’ You should speak this way to them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist!
11Now then, my father loaded you with a heavy yoke; yet I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions!’?'
King James Version
Chapter 10
3And they sent and called him. So Jeroboam and all Israel came and spake to Rehoboam, saying, 4Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous servitude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will serve thee. 5And he said unto them, Come again unto me after three days. And the people departed.
6And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye me to return answer to this people?
7And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever.
8But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men that were brought up with him, that stood before him.
9And he said unto them, What advice give ye that we may return answer to this people, which have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat the yoke that thy father did put upon us?
10And the young men that were brought up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou answer the people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it somewhat lighter for us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins.
11For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 10
3So they summoned him. Then Jeroboam and all Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam: 4"Your father made our yoke harsh. Therefore, lighten your father’s harsh service and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you."
8But he rejected the advice of the elders who had advised him, and he consulted with the young men who had grown up with him, the ones attending him.
9He asked them, "What message do you advise we send back to this people who said to me, ‘Lighten the yoke your father put on us’?"
10Then the young men who had grown up with him told him, "This is what you should say to the people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you, make it lighter on us!’ This is what you should say to them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist!
11Now therefore, my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, but I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I, with barbed whips.’"
New Living Translation
Chapter 10
3The leaders of Israel summoned him, and Jeroboam and all Israel went to speak with Rehoboam. 4Your father was a hard master,' they said. 'Lighten the harsh labor demands and heavy taxes that your father imposed on us. Then we will be your loyal subjects.'
8But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the older men and instead asked the opinion of the young men who had grown up with him and were now his advisers.
9What is your advice?' he asked them. 'How should I answer these people who want me to lighten the burdens imposed by my father?'
10The young men replied, 'This is what you should tell those complainers who want a lighter burden: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist!
11Yes, my father laid heavy burdens on you, but I’m going to make them even heavier! My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions!’'
English Standard Version
Chapter 10
3And they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all Israel came and said to Rehoboam, 4"Your father made our yoke heavy. Now therefore lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke on us, and we will serve you." 5He said to them, "Come to me again in three days." So the people went away.
6Then King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he was yet alive, saying, "How do you advise me to answer this people?"
7And they said to him, "If you will be good to this people and please them and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever."
8But he abandoned the counsel that the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him and stood before him.
9And he said to them, "What do you advise that we answer this people who have said to me, ‘Lighten the yoke that your father put on us’?"
10And the young men who had grown up with him said to him, "Thus shall you speak to the people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you lighten it for us’; thus shall you say to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father 's thighs.
11And now, whereas my father laid on you a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.’"
New International Version
Chapter 10
3So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and all Israel went to Rehoboam and said to him: 4"Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you."
8But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him.
9He asked them, "What is your advice? How should we answer these people who say to me, ‘Lighten the yoke your father put on us’?"
10The young men who had grown up with him replied, "The people have said to you, ‘Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but make our yoke lighter.’ Now tell them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist.
11My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.’ "
New King James Version
Chapter 10
3Then they sent for him and called him. And Jeroboam and all Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying, 4“Your father made our yoke heavy; now therefore, lighten the burdensome service of your father and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you.”
8But he rejected the advice which the elders had given him, and consulted the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him.
9And he said to them, “What advice do you give? How should we answer this people who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke which your father put on us’?”
10Then the young men who had grown up with him spoke to him, saying, “Thus you should speak to the people who have spoken to you, saying, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you make it lighter on us’—thus you shall say to them: ‘My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s waist!
11And now, whereas my father put a heavy yoke on you, I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges!’ ”
