Boaz chose ten of the village leaders ¹  and said, “Sit down here!” So they sat down.

These men were also in charge of Solomon’s work projects; there were a total of 550 men who supervised the workers. ¹ 

All the leaders and people said to him, “Do not give in or agree to his demands.” ¹ 

They cast lots, both young and old, according to their families, to determine which gate they would be responsible for. ¹ 

Their fellow Levites were in charge of the storehouses ¹  in God’s temple and the storehouses containing consecrated items.

As for the Izharites: Kenaniah and his sons were given responsibilities outside the temple ¹  as officers and judges over Israel.

Jaziz the Hagrite was in charge of the sheep. All these were the officials in charge of King David’s property.

These men worked for Solomon as supervisors; there were a total of 250 of them who were in charge of the people. ¹ 

They ¹  also asked them, “What are the names of the men who are building this edifice?”

Shabbethai and Jozabad, leaders ¹  of the Levites, were in charge of the external work for the temple of God;

Make then my pledge ¹  with you. Who else will put up security for me? ² 

Who entrusted ¹  to him the earth? And who put him over ²  the whole world?

My child, ²  if you have made a pledge ³  for your neighbor, and ⁴  have become a guarantor ⁵  for a stranger, ⁶ 

The one who puts up security for a stranger ¹  will surely have trouble, ²  but whoever avoids ³  shaking hands ⁴  will be secure.

Take a man’s ¹  garment ²  when he has given security for a stranger, ³  and when he gives surety for strangers, ⁴  hold him ⁵  in pledge.

Her husband is well-known ¹  in the city gate ²  when he sits with the elders ³  of the land.

The leaders and the highly respected people ¹  are the head, the prophets who teach lies are the tail.

Then some of the elders of Judah ¹  stepped forward and spoke to all the people gathered there. They said,

If ¹  this matter is heard before the governor, ²  we will satisfy him ³  and keep you out of trouble.” ⁴ 

You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who has ever resisted his will?”