8 Now I declare unto you, that he to whom the kingdom doth rightly belong, has declined, and will not take upon him the kingdom.
9 And now if there should be another appointed in his stead, behold I fear there would rise contentions among you;
10 And who knoweth but what my son, to whom the kingdom doth belong, should turn to be angry, and draw away a part of this people after him, which would cause wars and contentions among you; which would be the cause of shedding much blood, and perverting the way of the Lord; yea, and destroy the souls of many people.
11 Now I say unto you, Let us be wise and consider these things, for we have no right to destroy my son, neither should we have any right to destroy another, if he should be appointed in his stead.
12 And if my son should turn again to his pride and vain things, he would recall the things which he had said, and claim his right to the kingdom, which would cause him and also this people to commit much sin.
13 And now let us be wise and look forward to these things, and do that which will make for the peace of this people.
14 Therefore I will be your king the remainder of my days;
15 Nevertheless, let us appoint judges, to judge this people according to our law, and we will newly arrange the affairs of this people, for we will appoint wise men to be judges, that will judge this people according to the commandments of God.
16 Now it is better that a man should be judged of God than of man, for the judgments of God are always just, but the judgments of man are not always just;
17 Therefore, if it were possible that ye could have just men to be your kings, who would establish the laws of God, and judge this people according to his commandments; yea, if ye could have men for your kings, who would do even as my father Benjamin did for this people, I say unto you, If this could always be the case, then it would be expedient that ye should always have kings to rule over you.
18 And even I myself have labored with all the power and faculties which I have possessed, to teach you the commandments of God, and to establish peace throughout the land,
