⁶ In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. ^(A)So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

¹⁸ For those who are such do not serve our Lord ^[a]Jesus Christ, but ^(A)their own belly, and ^(B)by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

³ By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction ^[a]does not slumber.