3
And they called him, and he came with all Israel, and they spake to Rehoboam, and said,
4
Thy father oppressed us with a full hard yoke; command thou lighter things on us than thy father, the which set upon us a grievous servage; and release thou a little of our burden, that we serve thee. (Thy father oppressed us with a very hard yoke; command thou lighter things upon us than thy father, who set upon us a grievous slavery; and if thou release a little of our burden, then we shall gladly serve thee.)
5
And he said, After three days turn ye again to me (And he said, Return to me after three days). And when the people was gone [away],
6
he took counsel with [the] eld men, that stood before his father Solomon, while he lived yet (he took counsel with the old men, or the elders, who stood before his father Solomon, while yet he lived), and said, What counsel give ye, that I answer to the people?
7
And they said to him, If thou pleasest this people, and makest them soft, or quietest them, by meek words, they shall serve thee in all time. (And they said to him, If thou pleasest this people, and quietest them, with humble words, they shall loyally serve thee always.)