Then Abner called to Joab, “Shall the sword devour forever? Do you not know that the end will be bitter? How long will it be before you tell your people to turn from the pursuit of their brothers?”
“Declare in Egypt, and proclaim in Migdol; proclaim in Memphis and Tahpanhes; say, ‘Stand ready and be prepared, for the sword shall devour around you.’
And on the following day he appeared to them as they were quarreling and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why do you wrong each other?’
That day is the day of the Lord God of hosts, a day of vengeance, to avenge himself on his foes. The sword shall devour and be sated and drink its fill of their blood. For the Lord God of hosts holds a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.
The sword shall rage against their cities, consume the bars of their gates, and devour them because of their own counsels.
Upon all the bare heights in the desert destroyers have come, for the sword of the Lord devours from one end of the land to the other; no flesh has peace.
How long must I see the standard and hear the sound of the trumpet?
In vain have I struck your children; they took no correction; your own sword devoured your prophets like a ravening lion.
but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.
O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah
“How long will you torment me and break me in pieces with words?
“How long will you hunt for words? Consider, and then we will speak.
David said to the messenger, “Thus shall you say to Joab, ‘Do not let this matter displease you, for the sword devours now one and now another. Strengthen your attack against the city and overthrow it.’ And encourage him.”
And each caught his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his opponent's side, so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is at Gibeon.
And Abner said to Joab, “Let the young men arise and compete before us.” And Joab said, “Let them arise.”
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