⁷ Some worthless scoundrels^(A) gathered around him and opposed Rehoboam son of Solomon when he was young and indecisive^(B) and not strong enough to resist them.

⁸ “And now you plan to resist the kingdom of the Lord, which is in the hands of David’s descendants.^(C) You are indeed a vast army and have with you^(D) the golden calves^(E) that Jeroboam made to be your gods. ⁹ But didn’t you drive out the priests^(F) of the Lord,^(G) the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and make priests of your own as the peoples of other lands do? Whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull^(H) and seven rams^(I) may become a priest of what are not gods.^(J)