5
but if you yield to persuasion you will be my friend and a leader in the government of the kingdom."
6
When he had thus appealed to him, he sent for the boy's mother to show compassion on her who had been bereaved of so many sons and to influence her to persuade the surviving son to obey and save himself.
7
But when his mother had exhorted him in the Hebrew language, as we shall tell a little later,
8
he said, "Let me loose, let me speak to the king and to all his friends that are with him."
9
Extremely pleased by the boy's declaration, they freed him at once.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.