Now Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel, to King Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the City of David, which [is] Zion.

And it happened, when the king of Israel read the letter, that he tore his clothes and said, "[Am] I God, to kill and make alive, that this man sends a man to me to heal him of his leprosy? Therefore please consider, and see how he seeks a quarrel with me."

Then David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, [and] with every leader.

Now David assembled at Jerusalem all the leaders of Israel: the officers of the tribes and the captains of the divisions who served the king, the captains over thousands and captains over hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possessions of the king and of his sons, with the officials, the valiant men, and all the mighty men of valor.

Where [there is] no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors [there is] safety.

And it happened, when the king of Israel read the letter, that he tore his clothes and said, "[Am] I God, to kill and make alive, that this man sends a man to me to heal him of his leprosy? Therefore please consider, and see how he seeks a quarrel with me."

They conceive trouble and bring forth futility; Their womb prepares deceit."

Behold, [the wicked] brings forth iniquity; Yes, he conceives trouble and brings forth falsehood.

He devises wickedness on his bed; He sets himself in a way [that is] not good; He does not abhor evil.

How long will you attack a man? You shall be slain, all of you, Like a leaning wall and a tottering fence.

Who plan evil things in [their] hearts; They continually gather together [for] war.

Perversity [is] in his heart, He devises evil continually, He sows discord.

He who earnestly seeks good finds favor, But trouble will come to him who seeks [evil.]

For their heart devises violence, And their lips talk of troublemaking.

"Both these kings' hearts [shall be] bent on evil, and they shall speak lies at the same table; but it shall not prosper, for the end [will] still [be] at the appointed time.

"Their throat [is] an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit"; "The poison of asps [is] under their lips";

"Their feet [are] swift to shed blood;

And the way of peace they have not known."