²⁷ Next to them, the men of Tekoa^(A) repaired another section, from the great projecting tower^(B) to the wall of Ophel.

² So Joab sent someone to Tekoa^(A) and had a wise woman^(B) brought from there. He said to her, “Pretend you are in mourning. Dress in mourning clothes, and don’t use any cosmetic lotions.^(C) Act like a woman who has spent many days grieving for the dead.