Note 1 — V How a king committed a reply to a young son of his who had to bear it to the ambassadors of Greece
Edward Storer translation
King David, being king by the grace of God, who had raised him from a shepherd to be a noble, wished one day to learn at all hazards the number of his subjects: which was an act of vain-glory most displeasing to the Lord, who sent an angel who spoke thus: David, you have sinned. So your Lord sends me to tell you. Will you remain three years in hell1 or three months in the hands of His enemies which are yours, or will you leave yourself to the judgment of your Lord?