I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.

With the ancient {is} wisdom; and in length of days understanding.

Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith. {what...: Heb. what is in his mouth}

For ye dissembled in your hearts, when ye sent me unto the LORD your God, saying, Pray for us unto the LORD our God; and according unto all that the LORD our God shall say, so declare unto us, and we will do {it}. {ye dissembled...: or, ye have used deceit against your souls}

And said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication be accepted before thee, and pray for us unto the LORD thy God, {even} for all this remnant; (for we are left {but} a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us:) {Let...: or, Let our supplication fall before thee}

Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.

For enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers:

The way of a fool {is} right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel {is} wise.

Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: {for} better {is} a neighbour {that is} near than a brother far off.

Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name {was} Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.

And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.

And 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?

Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: {for} better {is} a neighbour {that is} near than a brother far off.