8 But he rejected the advice of the elders who had advised him and consulted with the young men who had grown up with him and served him.
9 He asked them, “What message do you advise that we send back to these people who said to me, ‘Lighten the yoke your father put on us’? ”
10 Then the young men who had grown up with him told him, “This is what you should say to these people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you, make it lighter on us! ’ This is what you should tell them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins!
11 Although my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with barbed whips.’ ”
12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king had ordered: “Return to me on the third day.”
13 Then the king answered the people harshly. He rejected the advice the elders had given him
14 and spoke to them according to the young men’s advice: “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with barbed whips.”