Judges

1.1 And it came to pass after the death of Joshua, that the children of Israel asked YHVH, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them?

1.2 And YHVH said, Judah shall go up. behold, I have given the land into his hand.

1.3 And Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me in my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites. and I also will go with thee in thy lot. And Simeon went with him.

1.4 And Judah went up, and YHVH delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand. and they slew of them at a moment's notice ten thousand men.

1.5 And they found YHVH of Bezek in Bezek, and fought against him, and smote the Canaanite and the Perizzite.

1.6 And Adoni-bezek fled, and they pursued him, and overtook him, and cut off his thumbs and his big toes.

1.7 And my lord Bezek said, Seventy kings, having their hands and feet cut off, gathered under my table, as I have done, so Alhym reward me. And he brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.

1.8 And the children of Judah fought against Jerusalem, and took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and set the city on fire.

1.9 Then the children of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites who lived in the hill country, the Negev, and the lowland.

1.10 And Judah went against the Canaanites that dwelt in Hebron. and the name of Hebron before was Kirjath-arba; and they smote Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai.

1.11 And he went from thence to the inhabitants of Debir. and the name of Debir before was Kirjath-sepher.

1.12 And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, will I give him Achsah my daughter to wife?

1.13 And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, took it, and gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.

1.14 And it came to pass, when she came, that she persuaded him to ask of her father the field. and she lighted off the ass, and Caleb said unto her, What aileth thee?

1.15 And she said unto him, Give me a blessing. for thou hast given me the land of the south, and hast given me a well of water. And Caleb gave her the upper well and the lower well.

1.16 And the sons of Kenite, Moses' son-in-law, went up from the city of palm trees with the children of Judah to the wilderness of Judah, which is in the south of Arad; and he went and settled the people.

1.17 Then Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they smote the Canaanites that dwelt in Zephath, and took it, and called the name of the city Harmah.

1.18 And Judah took Gaza and its border, and Ashkelon and its border, and Ekron and its border,

1.19 And YHVH gave Judah possession, and he possessed the hill country, but he did not dispossess the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron.

1.20 And they gave Hebron to Caleb, as Moses had said, and he inherited from there the three sons of the giant.

1.21 And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem. but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day.

1.22 And the house of Joseph also went up to Bethel, and YHVH was with them.

1.23 And the house of Joseph remained in Bethel. and the name of the city before was Luz.

1.24 And the watchmen saw a man coming out of the city, and said unto him, Shew us, we pray thee, the entrance into the city, and we will shew thee mercy.

1.25 And they besieged the entrance of the city, and smote the city with the edge of the sword, and sent away the man and all his family.

1.26 And the man went into the land of the Hittites, and built a city, and called the name thereof Luz. which is the name thereof unto this day.

1.27 But Manasseh did not drive out Beth-shean and its towns, Taanach and its towns, Ish-dor and its towns, the inhabitants of Ibleam and its towns, the inhabitants of Megiddo and its towns, and the Canaanites to dwell in this land.

1.28 And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did not drive them out,

1.29 And Ephraim did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer, but the Canaanites lived among them in Gezer.

1.30 Zebulun did not drive out the inhabitants of Kitron or the inhabitants of Nahalal, but the Canaanites lived among them, and they became subject to tribute.

1.31 Who did not drive out the inhabitants of Acco, nor the inhabitants of Sidon, nor Ahlab, nor Achzib, nor Helbah, nor Aphik, nor Rahab,

1.32 And the Asherite dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land, because they did not drive them out.

1.33 Naphtali did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh or the inhabitants of Beth Anath, but lived among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land. The inhabitants of Beth Shemesh and Beth Anath were subject to tribute.

1.34 And the Amorites oppressed the children of Dan in the hill country, for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley.

1.35 And Joel the Amorite lived in Mount Hermes, in Aiyon and in Shaalbim, and the hand of the house of Joseph was exalted, and they became tribute.

1.36 And the border of the Amorites was from the ascent of Scorpions, from the rock, and upward.

2.1 And the angel of YHVH came up from Gilgal to the children of Bel, and said, I will bring you up out of Egypt, and will bring you into the land which I sware unto your fathers, saying, I will never break my covenant with you.

2.2 And ye shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land. their altars shall be burned with fire, and ye have not heard my voice. what is this that ye have done?

2.3 And I said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be your friends, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.

2.4 And it came to pass, when the angel of YHVH spake these words unto all the children of Israel, that the people lifted up their voice, and wept.

2.5 And they called the name of that place Bachim. and they sacrificed there unto YHVH.

2.6 And Joshua sent the people away, and the children of Israel went every man unto his inheritance to possess the land.

2.7 And the people served YHVH all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work of YHVH which he did for Israel.

2.8 And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of YHVH, died, being an hundred and ten years old.

2.9 And they buried him in the border of his inheritance, in Timnathah, in mount Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash.

2.10 And all that generation also were gathered unto their fathers. and another generation arose after them, which knew not YHVH, nor yet the work which he had done for Israel.

2.11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of YHVH, and served the Baals.

2.12 And they forsook YHVH Alhym of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the peoples that were round about them, and worshipped them, and provoked YHVH to anger.

2.13 And they forsook YHVH, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.

2.14 And the anger of YHVH was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hand of the Syrians, who smote them, and sold them into the hand of their enemies round about, so that they could no more stand before their enemies.

2.15 Wherever they went out, the hand of YHVH was against them for evil, as YHVH had said, and as YHVH had sworn to them, and he afflicted them greatly.

2.16 And YHVH raised up judges, and delivered them out of the hand of their oppressors.

2.17 And they did not listen to their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods and bowed down to them. They quickly turned aside from the way in which their fathers walked, obeying the commandments of YHVH and not doing so.

2.18 And YHVH raised up judges for them, and YHVH was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge. for YHVH comforted them, because of their oppression and their oppression.

2.19 And it came to pass, that they sat in the judgment seat, and corrupted themselves from their fathers, to go after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them. they turned not from their doings, and from their hard way.

2.20 And the anger of YHVH was kindled against Israel, and he said, Because this nation hath transgressed my covenant, which I commanded their fathers, and have not obeyed my voice.

2.21 Neither will I leave any more before them any of the nations which Joshua left when he died.

2.22 That they might prove Israel by them, whether they would keep the way of YHVH to walk therein, as their fathers kept it, whether they would not

2.23 And YHVH left those nations, that he should not drive them out quickly, neither delivered he them into the hand of Joshua.

3.1 Now these are the nations which YHVH left to test Israel by them, all who had not known all the wars of Canaan.

3.2 Only for the knowledge of the generations of the children of Israel, to teach them war, which they knew not before.

3.3 The five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites, that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baal Hermon unto the entering in of Hamath,

3.4 And they were to test Israel by them, to know whether they would obey the commandments of YHVH, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses.

3.5 And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.

3.6 And they took their daughters to themselves as wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods.

3.7 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of YHVH, and forgot YHVH their Alhym, and served the Baals and the idols.

3.8 And the anger of YHVH was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan-reshaathim king of Aram Naharaim. and the children of Israel served Cushan-reshaathim eight years.

3.9 And the children of Israel cried unto YHVH; and YHVH raised up a savior for the children of Israel; and he saved them, Othniel the son of Kenaz, the younger brother of Caleb.

3.10 And the Spirit of YHVH came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war. and YHVH delivered Cushan-reshathim king of Aram into his hand. and his hand prevailed against Cushan-reshathim.

3.11 And the land had rest forty years. and Othniel the son of Kenaz died.

3.12 And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of YHVH. and YHVH strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they did evil in the sight of YHVH.

3.13 And he gathered unto him the children of Ammon and Amalek, and went and smote Israel, and they possessed the city of palm trees.

3.14 And the children of Israel served Eglon king of Moab eighteen years.

3.15 And the children of Israel cried unto YHVH; and YHVH raised them up a savior, Ehud the son of Gera, the son of Jamini, an Aterite, right hand of his father. and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon king of Moab.

3.16 And Ehud made him a sword with two edges, a cubit long, and girded it under his garments upon his right thigh.

3.17 And he presented the offering unto Eglon king of Moab. and Eglon was a very valiant man.

3.18 And it came to pass, when he had made an end of offering the oblation, that he sent away the people that bare the oblation.

3.19 And he turned from the images that were on the wheel, and said, I have a secret thing to say unto thee, O king. And he said, Hearken. And all that stood by him went out from him.

3.20 And Ehud came to him, and he sat in the upper chamber, which was by himself. And Ehud said, A word of Alhym from me to thee; and he arose from the throne.

3.21 And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the sword from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly.

3.22 And the guard also came after the blade, and the breast closed over the blade, because he did not draw the sword out of his belly, and the flesh came out.

3.23 And Ehud went out of the chamber, and shut the doors of the chamber after him, and locked them.

3.24 And he went out, and his servants came, and looked, and, behold, the doors of the upper room were opened. and they said, He is only washing his feet in the chamber.

3.25 And they went up to the top of the stairs, and behold, the doors of the upper room were not opened. And they took the key, and opened them, and behold, their master had fallen to the earth dead.

3.26 And Ehud fled until they were delayed, and he passed over the pillars, and escaped to Shairathah.

3.27 And it came to pass, when he was come, that he blew the trumpet in mount Ephraim. and the children of Israel went down with him from the mount, and he before them.

3.28 And he said unto them, Pursue after me. for YHVH hath delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand. And they went down after him, and smote the fords of Jordan against Moab, and suffered not a man to pass over.

3.29 And they smote Moab at that time about ten thousand men, all of them fat, and all of them valiant men. and not a man escaped.

3.30 And Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel, and the land had rest eighty years.

3.31 After him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who slew of the Philistines six hundred men at the oxen's trodden ground, and he also delivered Israel.

4.1 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of YHVH. and Ehud died.

4.2 And YHVH sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor; and the captain of his host was Sisera, and he dwelt in the forest of the Gentiles.

4.3 And the children of Israel cried unto YHVH, because he had nine hundred chariots of iron. and he oppressed the children of Israel with violence twenty years.

4.4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.

4.5 And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Haramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim. and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.

4.6 And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of the city of Naphtali, and said unto him, Has not YHVH Alhym of Israel commanded thee, saying, Go, and set thy foot upon mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?

4.7 And I will draw unto thee unto the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's host, with his chariots, and his horsemen; and I will deliver him into thine hand.

4.8 And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then will I go. but if thou wilt not go with me, then will I not go.

4.9 And she said, Shall I go with thee? for thy glory shall not be in the way that thou goest. for YHVH shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with her holy brightness.

4.10 And Barak called together Zebulun and Naphtali, and went up with him ten thousand men, and Deborah went up with him.

4.11 And the Kenite separated himself from Cain, from the sons of Chabab, Moses' son-in-law, and pitched his tent as far as the oak of Zaananim, which is by Kadesh.

4.12 And they told Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor.

4.13 And Sisera called together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from the plough of the heathen, unto the river Kishon.

4.14 And Deborah said unto Barak, Arise. for this is the day in which YHVH hath delivered Sisera into thine hand. Is not YHVH gone out before thee? And Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.

4.15 And YHVH discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak. and Sisera alighted from his chariot, and fled on foot.

4.16 And Barak pursued after the chariot, and after the host, unto Haresh the Gentiles. and all the host of Sisera fell by the sword; not one was left.

4.17 And Sisera fled on foot to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite. for there was peace between Jabin king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite.

4.18 And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him, Come, my lord, come, come to me, fear not. And she drew near unto him the tent, and covered him with a blanket.

4.19 And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened the bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him.

4.20 And he said unto her, Stand at the door of the tent. and it shall be, if any man come and ask thee, and say, Is there any man here? and thou shalt say, There is none.

4.21 And Jael, the wife of Heber, took a tent peg, and put the mace in her hand, and came softly unto him, and smote the peg into his temple, and it sank to the ground, and he fell asleep, and fainted, and died.

4.22 And behold, Barak pursued Sisera, and Jael came out to meet him, and said to him, Go, and I will show you the man whom you seek. And he came to her, and behold, Sisera fell dead, and the pin was in his temple.

4.23 And Alhym subdued that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel.

4.24 And the hand of the children of Israel went on continually against Jabin king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.

5.1 And Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam sang that day, saying,

5.2 In the midst of the turmoil in Israel, by volunteering with the blessing of YHVH

5.3 Hear, O kings; give ear, O princes. I will sing to YHVH; I will sing praises to YHVH, the Alhym of Israel.

5.4 O YHVH, when you went out from Jerusalem, when you marched from the field of Edom, the earth trembled; the heavens also dripped, the thickets dripped water.

5.5 The mountains poured down water from before YHVH, even Sinai from before YHVH Alhym of Israel.

5.6 In the days of Shamgar the son of Anat, in the days of Jael, the paths ceased, and the paths of the wayfarers went crooked paths.

5.7 They ceased to be fruitful in Israel, they ceased until I arose, Deborah, I arose, a mother in Israel.

5.8 If Alhym chooses a new one, then he will give bread to the gates, a shield, if he sees and spears forty thousand in Israel.

5.9 My heart is for the judges of Israel, who volunteer among the people, blessed by YHVH.

5.10 Ride on white horses, sit on Midian, and walk in the way of their conversation.

5.11 From the voice of those who divide resources, there the righteousness of YHVH will be given, the righteousness of our foreskin in Israel, then they will go down to the gates with YHVH.

5.12 Awake, awake, Deborah, awake, awake, utter a song. arise, Barak, and return to your captivity, O son of Avinoam.

5.13 Then a remnant came down to the mighty with YHVH, and he came down to me with the mighty.

5.14 From Ephraim, who was numbered among the Amalekites, Benjamin after thee among thy peoples; from Machir, they went down from the hand of the scribes, and in the tribe of the book.

5.15 And the princes of Issachar with Deborah, Issachar is like lightning in the valley, sending forth lightning at his feet, in the divisions of Reuben, great are the engravings of the heart.

5.16 Why did you sit among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleating of flocks, to the bands of Reuben, great and wise in heart?

5.17 Gilead is beyond the Jordan, and Dan is the one who dwells in ships, who dwells by the seashore, and dwells on its inlets.

5.18 Zebulun is a people who despise their lives to the death, and Naphtali on the heights of the field.

5.19 Kings came and fought, then the kings of Canaan fought in Anak, over whom did they not take the money from Megiddo?

5.20 The stars fought from heaven, from their chambers they fought against Sisera.

5.21 The river Kishon, the river of the ancients, the river Kishon, the paths of my soul are strong.

5.22 Then the heels of the horses struck the galloping of their riders.

5.23 The angel of YHVH said to Oro, "Cursed be Oro and her inhabitants, because they did not come to the help of YHVH, to the help of YHVH in the mighty."

5.24 Blessed above women is the daughter of Heber the Kenite, blessed above women in the tent.

5.25 She asked for water, she gave milk in a mighty cup, she offered butter.

5.26 Her hand will send forth a spear, and her right hand will strike with a spear, and she will strike Sisera with a spear, and she will crush his head, and she will break his neck, and his temple will be broken.

5.27 Between her legs he fell down, he lay between her legs he fell down, wherever he fell down, there David fell.

5.28 Through the window she looked out and cried out, Sisera's mother, through the window, Why are they riding so slowly to come? Why are the steps of his chariots so slow?

5.29 The wisdom of her servants will answer her, and she will answer her words.

5.30 Shall they not find and divide the spoil of the womb, the spoil of the wombs for the head of a man, the spoil of colors for Sisera, the spoil of colors, the embroidery, the dye of embroideries, the spoil of necks?

5.31 So shall all thine enemies, O YHVH, perish, and his lovers, as the sun goeth forth in his might, and the land shall have rest forty years.

6.1 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of YHVH. and YHVH delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.

6.2 And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them dens that were in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds.

6.3 And it came to pass, that the seed of Israel went up against Midian, and against Amalek, and against the children of the east, and against him.

6.4 And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the land, even unto Gaza, and left not a beast in Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass.

6.5 For they and their cattle shall come up, and their tents shall come as locusts for multitude; and they and their camels shall be without number. and they shall come into the land to destroy it.

6.6 And Israel was greatly diminished because of Midian. and the children of Israel cried unto YHVH.

6.7 And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto YHVH because of the Midianites,

6.8 And YHVH sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, and said unto them, Thus saith YHVH Alhym of Israel, I brought you up out of Egypt, and brought you out of the house of bondage.

6.9 And I will deliver you from the hand of Egypt, and from the hand of all that oppress you; and I will drive them out from before you, and will give you their land.

6.10 And I said unto you, I am YHVH your Alhym. fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell. neither have ye obeyed my voice.

6.11 And there came an angel of YHVH, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the father of the Ezri, and to Gideon his son, who threshed wheat in Gath, to flee from the Midianites.

6.12 And the angel of YHVH appeared unto him, and said unto him, YHVH is with thee, O mighty man of valor.

6.13 And Gideon said unto him, My lord, is YHVH with us? and wherefore then be all this befallen us? and where are all his wonders which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not YHVH bring us up out of Egypt? and now YHVH hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hand of the Midianites?

6.14 And YHVH turned to him, and said unto him, In this thy might, and thou hast saved Israel out of the hand of Midian, have I not sent thee?

6.15 And he said unto him, O my Lord, whereby shall I save Israel? Behold, there are thousands of the least in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.

6.16 And YHVH said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.

6.17 And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, shew me a sign that it is thou that talkest with me.

6.18 Do not delay, I pray thee, until I come to thee, and I have brought out my present, and set it before thee. And he said, I will tarry until thou comest again.

6.19 And Gideon came and made ready a kid of the goats, and kneaded the dough, and put the meat in a basket, and put the broth in a bowl, and went out unto him under the oak, and came unto him.

6.20 And the angel of Alhym said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened bread, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. and he did so.

6.21 And the angel of YHVH put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened bread. and there came up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened bread. and the angel of YHVH departed from his presence.

6.22 And Gideon saw that he was an angel of YHVH. and Gideon said, Alas, O Lord GOD! for I have seen an angel of YHVH face to face.

6.23 And YHVH said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not; thou shalt not die.

6.24 And Gideon built there an altar unto YHVH, and called it YHVH'S Peace unto this day. It is yet in Ephrath of the Ezri.

6.25 And it came to pass that night, that YHVH said unto him, Take thy father's bullock, and the second bullock seven years old, and destroy the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it.

6.26 And thou shalt build an altar unto YHVH thy Alhym upon the top of this stronghold in the battle, and shalt take the second bullock, and offer a burnt offering with the wood of the asherah which thou shalt cut down.

6.27 And Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as YHVH had spoken unto him. and it came to pass, when he feared his father's house, and the men of the city, that he did it by day, that he did it by night.

6.28 And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was broken down, and the grove that was by it he cut down, and offered the second bullock upon the altar that was built.

6.29 And they said one to another, Who hath done this thing? And they inquired and inquired, and said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing.

6.30 And the men of the city said unto Joash, Bring out thy son, that he may die. for he hath broken down the altar of Baal, and because he hath cut down the grove that was by it.

6.31 And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal? or will ye save him? he that pleads with him shall be put to death by morning. If he be a god, plead with him, because he hath thrown down his altar.

6.32 And he called him that day Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal contend with him, because he hath cast down his altar.

6.33 Then all the Midianites, Amalekites, and the children of the east were gathered together, and passed over, and pitched in the valley of Jezreel.

6.34 And the Spirit of YHVH came upon Gideon, and he blew the trumpet, and Abiezer cried after him.

6.35 And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh, and he also cried out after him. and he sent messengers into Asher, and into Zebulun, and into Naphtali, and they went up to meet them.

6.36 And Gideon said unto Alhym, If thou wilt deliver Israel into mine hand, as thou hast spoken,

6.37 Behold, I will set the fleece of wool in the threshing floor. if there be dew on the fleece only, and there be dew on all the ground, then I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast spoken.

6.38 And it came to pass, that he rose up early the next day, and took the linen cloth, and wrung out the dew from the linen cloth, a cup full of water.

6.39 And Gideon said unto Alhym, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak. but I will try this once, only this once in Gaza. let there be a sword against Gaza only, and upon all the land let there be dew.

6.40 And Alhym did so that night; and there was a sword upon the chaff only, and upon all the ground was dew.

7.1 Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people who were with him, arose and encamped by En Hared. The camp of Midian was on the north of the hill of Moreh in the valley.

7.2 And YHVH said unto Gideon, Because of the multitude of the people that are with thee, I will smite the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast against me, saying, My own hand hath saved me.

7.3 Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is afraid and dismayed, let him go and sing praises in mount Gilead. and there remained of the people twenty and two thousand, and ten thousand.

7.4 And YHVH said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many. bring them down unto the water, and we will gather them together for thee there. and it shall be, that he that saith unto thee, This shall go with thee, he shall go with thee. and whosoever saith unto thee, This shall not go with thee, he shall not go.

7.5 And he brought the people down to the water, and YHVH said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself. and every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink shall ye set by himself.

7.6 And the number of them that lapped, their hand to their mouth, was three hundred men. and all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water.

7.7 And YHVH said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand. and all the people shall go every man unto his place.

7.8 And the people took the spears in their hand, and their trumpets, and sent all the men of Israel every man to his tent, and he kept three hundred men. and the camp of Midian was in the valley below.

7.9 And it came to pass that night, that YHVH said unto him, Arise, go down unto the host. for I have delivered it into thine hand.

7.10 And if thou fear to go down, go down thou, and prepare thyself unto the camp.

7.11 And you shall hear what they say, and afterward you shall strengthen your hands and go down into the camp. And he and his young bullock went down to the edge of the camp, to the edge of the fifty men.

7.12 But Midian and Amalek and all the children of the east shall fall in the valley as locusts for multitude; and their camels are without number, as the sand which is on the seashore for multitude.

7.13 And Gideon came, and, behold, a man told a dream to his fellow, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream, and, behold, a loaf of bread of YHVH was overthrown in the camp of Midian. and he came unto the tent, and smote it, that it fell, and overturned it, and the tent fell.

7.14 And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing but the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel. into whose hand Alhym hath delivered Midian, and all the host.

7.15 And it came to pass, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and its interpretation, that he worshipped, and returned into the camp of Israel, and said, Arise; for YHVH hath delivered the host of Midian into your hand.

7.16 And he divided the three hundred men into three groups, and put trumpets in each of their hands, and pitchers of water, and pitchers of money within the pitchers.

7.17 And he said unto them, Look ye upon me, and do likewise. behold, I come unto the uttermost part of the camp; and it shall be, as I do, so shall ye do.

7.18 And I will blow the trumpet, I and all that are with me. and ye also blow the trumpets round about all the camp, and say unto YHVH, and unto Gideon,

7.19 And Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the edge of the camp, the captain of the middle company. and when they arose, they set the watch, and blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands.

7.20 And the three chiefs blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the pitchers in their left hand, and the trumpets in their right hand to blow withal, and cried, A sword for YHVH, and for Gideon.

7.21 And they stood every man under his own power round about the camp. and all the camp ran, and shouted, and fled.

7.22 And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and YHVH set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host. and the host fled unto Beth-shetha, and the border thereof, even unto the border of Abel-meholah, which is by Tebeth.

7.23 And the men of Israel shouted out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and they pursued after the Midianites.

7.24 And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, Come down against the Midianites, and take for them the waters unto Bethbarah, and Jordan. And all the men of Ephraim shouted, and took the waters unto Bethbarah, and Jordan.

7.25 And the two princes of Midian took Arab and Zeeb, and slew Oreb at Tyre, and Oreb and Zeeb they slew at the winepress of Zeeb, and pursued them into Midian, and brought the heads of Arab and Zeeb to Gideon beyond the Jordan.

8.1 And the men of Ephraim said unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done unto us, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight against Midian, and prevailed against him with might?

8.2 And he said unto them, What have I now done unto you? Is not the spoil of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?

8.3 Alhym has given into your hand the kings of Midian, Ar and Zeeb. What could I have done against you? Then their spirit failed him when he spoke this word.

8.4 And Gideon came and crossed over the Jordan, he and the three hundred men who were with him, weary and pursued.

8.5 And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray thee, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they are faint, and I pursue after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.

8.6 And the princes of Succoth said, The captain of the army is Zebah, and Zalmunna is now in thine hand, because he hath given bread unto thine army.

8.7 And Gideon said, Therefore YHVH hath delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into mine hand, and I will pierce your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.

8.8 And Penuel went up from thence, and spake unto them thus. and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered him.

8.9 And he said also to the men of Penuel, When I return in peace, I will tear down this tower.

8.10 And Zebah and Zalmunna in Karkar, and their camp with them, about fifteen thousand, all that were left of all the camp of the children of Kedem. and there fell a hundred and twenty thousand men that drew the sword.

8.11 And Gideon went up by the way of the tents of the neighbors eastward to Barak, and he lifted up his voice, and smote the host. and the host was secure.

8.12 And Zebah and Zalmunna fled. and he pursued after them, and took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and all the host dismayed.

8.13 And Gideon the son of Joash sat down from the battle above the clay pot.

8.14 And he caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and questioned him, and wrote down for him the princes of Succoth, and the elders thereof, seventy and seven men.

8.15 And he came to the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, of whom ye have taunted me, saying, The hand of Zebah and Zalmunna is now in thine hand, because he hath given bread to thy servants that have fled.

8.16 And he took the elders of the city, and the thorns of the wilderness, and the briers, and knew them of the men of Succoth.

8.17 And he broke down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.

8.18 And he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, Where are the men whom you killed at Tabor? And they said, As you are, so is one of them, as the king's sons are.

8.19 And he said, My brethren, they are the sons of my mother. as YHVH liveth, if ye had lived, I would not have slain you.

8.20 And he said to Jethro his firstborn, Arise, kill them. But the youth drew not his sword. for he feared, because he was yet a youth.

8.21 And Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise up, and fall upon us. for he is as the man of his might. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the spies that were on their camels' necks.

8.22 And the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Thou art like unto our son, and thy son also, and thy son's son also. for thou hast delivered us out of the hand of Midian.

8.23 And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you. YHVH shall rule over you.

8.24 And Gideon said unto them, I will ask you a question, and give me every man the earring of his spoil. for they have earrings of gold, because they are Ishmaelites.

8.25 And they said, Give, give, and spread out the garment, and cast there every man a ring of spoil.

8.26 And the weight of the golden earrings that he borrowed was a thousand and seven hundred gold, beside the robes, and the turbans, and the purple garments that were on the kings of Midian, and beside the ornaments that were on their camels' necks.

8.27 And Gideon made it into an ephod, and put it in his city, in Ophrah. and all Israel played the harlot after him there. and it became a snare to Gideon and to his house.

8.28 And Midian was subdued before the children of Israel, and they lifted up their heads no more. and the land had rest forty years in the days of Gideon.

8.29 And Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and dwelt in his house.

8.30 And Gideon had seventy sons, who were born to him, for he had many wives.

8.31 And his concubine that was in Shechem, she also bare him a son, and he called his name Abimelech.

8.32 And Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age, and was buried in the sepulchre of Joash his father, in Ophrah the father of the Azri.

8.33 And it came to pass, when Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel returned, and played the harlot after Baalim, and made for themselves a covenant with Alhym.

8.34 And the children of Israel remembered not YHVH their Alhym, who had delivered them out of the hand of all their enemies round about.

8.35 And they shewed no kindness unto the house of Jerubbaal, according to all the goodness which Gideon had shewed unto Israel.

9.1 ​​And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother's brethren, and spake unto them, and unto all the family of his mother's father's house, saying,

9.2 Speak now in the ears of all the men of Shechem, What is better for you, that seventy men, all the sons of Jerubbaal, rule over you, or that one man rule over you? And remember that I am your flesh and blood.

9.3 And his mother's brothers spoke of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words. and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, He is our brother.

9.4 And they gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-Brit, and with them Abimelech hired idle and idle men, who followed him.

9.5 And he went to his father's house at Ephrathah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, upon one stone. and Jotham the younger son of Jerubbaal was hid.

9.6 Then all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Melo, and went, and made Abimelech king by the oak of Shechem.

9.7 And they told Jotham. and he went and stood on the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that Alhym may hearken unto you.

9.8 The trees went forth to anoint a king over them, and said unto the olive tree, Reign over us.

9.9 And the olive tree said unto them, I have left my glory, whereby I honour Alhym and man, and am gone to be promoted over the trees.

9.10 And the trees said unto the fig tree, Go thy way, and cast thy king over us.

9.11 And the fig tree said unto them, I have left off my sweetness, and my good fruit, and will go to be promoted over the trees.

9.12 And the trees said unto the vine, Go, take thy kingdom over us.

9.13 And the vine said unto them, I have left my inheritance, which cheereth Alhym and man, and am gone to be promoted over the trees.

9.14 And all the trees said unto the bramble, Go, thou reignest over us.

9.15 And the thornbush said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, come and take refuge in my shadow. and if not, let fire come out of the thornbush, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.

9.16 Now therefore, if ye have done truly and honestly, and have made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have dealt with him according to the recompense of his hands,

9.17 My father fought for you, and risked his life, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian.

9.18 And ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, seventy persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech the son of his maidservant king over the men of Shechem. for he is your brother.

9.19 But if you have dealt truly and honestly with Jerubbaal and his house this day, then rejoice in Abimelech, and he will rejoice in you.

9.20 But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and consume the men of Shechem and the house of Melo. And let fire come out from the men of Shechem and from the house of Melo and consume Abimelech.

9.21 And Jotham fled, and escaped, and went to Barah, and dwelt there for fear of Abimelech his brother.

9.22 And Abimelech reigned over Israel three years.

9.23 And Alhym sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech.

9.24 And the seventy sons of Jerubbaal came and laid their blood upon Abimelech their brother, who had killed them, and upon the men of Shechem, who had strengthened his hands in killing his brother.

9.25 And the men of Shechem set ambushes for him on the tops of the mountains, and robbed all that came by them along the way. And he told Abimelech.

9.26 And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and passed over to Shechem. and the men of Shechem put their trust in him.

9.27 And they went out into the field, and gathered their vineyards, and trod them, and made booths, and came into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech.

9.28 And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve them? Did not the son of Jerubbaal and Zebal his servant serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem? And why should we serve them?

9.29 And who will deliver this people into my hand, that I may take Abimelech? And he said to Abimelech, Thy army is great, and come out.

9.30 And Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, and his anger was kindled.

9.31 And he sent messengers to Abimelech at Tara, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren are come to Shechem, and, behold, they besiege the city against thee.

9.32 Now therefore arise by night, thou and the people that are with thee, and lie in wait in the field.

9.33 And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, thou shalt rise early, and shalt set upon the city. and, behold, he and the people that are with him shall come out unto thee. and thou shalt do unto him as thou findest fit.

9.34 And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and laid wait against Shechem, four heads.

9.35 Then Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city. and Abimelech arose, and the people that were with him, from the ambush.

9.36 And Gaal saw the people, and said unto Zebulun, Behold, people come down from the tops of the mountains. And Zebulun said unto him, Dost thou see the shadow of the mountains as men?

9.37 And Gaal continued speaking, and said, Behold, a people come down from the midst of the earth, and one head cometh from the way of the oaks of the clouds.

9.38 And Zebulun said unto him, Where is thy mouth then, that thou shouldest say, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? Is not this the people whom thou abhorrest? Go out now, and fight against him.

9.39 And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.

9.40 And Abimelech pursued him, and fled before him, and many fell slain, even unto the entering of the gate.

9.41 And Abimelech dwelt in Arumah, and Zebul drove out Gaal and his brothers from Shabbos in Shechem.

9.42 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the field, and told Abimelech.

9.43 And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and lay in wait in the field. and he looked, and, behold, the people came out of the city, and rose up against them, and smote them.

9.44 And Abimelech and the princes that were with him rose up, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city. and the two princes rose up against all that were in the field, and slew them.

9.45 And Abimelech fought against the city all that day, and took the city, and the people that were therein, and slew them, and beat down the city, and sowed it with salt.

9.46 And all the men of the tower of Shechem heard, and came to the tower of Bethel,

9.47 And it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.

9.48 And Abimelech went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the people who were with him. And Abimelech took axes in his hand, and cut down a bundle of wood, and carried it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said to the people who were with him, What have you seen that I have done? Make haste, and do as I have done.

9.49 And all the people also cut down every man a fetter, and followed Abimelech, and put them on the tower, and set the tower on fire upon them. and all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women.

9.50 And Abimelech went to Tebez, and encamped in Tebez, and captured it.

9.51 Now there was a strong tower within the city, and all the men and women and all the men of the city fled thither, and shut it in upon them, and went up to the top of the tower.

9.52 And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and went even unto the door of the tower to burn it with fire.

9.53 And a certain woman cast a piece of a chariot upon Abimelech's head, and made him stumble.

9.54 And he called quickly to the young man his armor-bearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, lest men say unto me, A woman slew him. and his young man thrust him through, and he died.

9.55 And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man to his place.

9.56 And Alhym rendered the evil of Abimelech, which he did to his father, in slaying his seventy brethren.

9.57 And all the evil of the men of Shechem Alhym returned upon their heads. and the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal came upon them.

10.1 And after Abimelech arose to save Israel Tola the son of Puah, his cousin, a man of Issachar; and he dwelt in Shamir in mount Ephraim.

10.2 And he judged Israel twenty and three years. and he died, and was buried in Shamir.

10.3 And after him arose Jair the Gileadite, and judged Israel twenty and two years.

10.4 And he had thirty sons who rode on thirty cities, and thirty cities were theirs, which are called the Havvoth Jair unto this day, which are in the land of Gilead.

10.5 And Jair died, and was buried in Camon.

10.6 And the children of Israel turned again to do evil in the sight of YHVH, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Sidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook YHVH, and served him not.

10.7 And the anger of YHVH was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the children of Ammon.

10.8 And they smote and subdued the children of Israel that year, even for eighteen years, all the children of Israel that were on the other side Jordan, in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead.

10.9 And the children of Ammon passed over Jordan to fight also against Judah, and against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim. and Israel was sore distressed.

10.10 And the children of Israel cried unto YHVH, saying, We have sinned against thee, and have forsaken our Alhym, and served Baalim.

10.11 And YHVH said unto the children of Israel, Is it not from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines?

10.12 And the Sidonians, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites oppressed you. and ye cried unto me, and I delivered you out of their hand.

10.13 But you have forsaken me and served other gods, so I will no longer save you.

10.14 Go and cry to the Gods whom you have chosen, and they will save you in the time of your trouble.

10.15 And the children of Israel said unto YHVH, We have sinned. do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. but deliver us, I pray thee, this day.

10.16 And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served YHVH. and his soul was grieved for the service of Israel.

10.17 And the children of Ammon cried out, and encamped in Gilead. and the children of Israel were gathered together, and encamped in Mizpeh.

10.18 And the people, the princes of Gilead, said one to another, What man is he that will begin to fight against the children of Ammon, and shall be head over all the inhabitants of Gilead?

11.1 Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valor, and he was the son of a harlot. and Gilead begat Jephthah.

11.2 And Gilead's wife bare him sons. and the sons of the wife grew up, and thrust out Jephthah, and said unto him, Thou shalt not inherit in our father's house; for thou art the son of another woman.

11.3 And Jephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob. and there were gathered unto Jephthah vain men, and went out with him.

11.4 And it came to pass after many days, that the children of Ammon made war with Israel.

11.5 And it came to pass, when the children of Ammon fought with Israel, that the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah out of the land of Tob.

11.6 And they said unto Jephthah, Go, and be our captain, and fight against the children of Ammon.

11.7 And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, Did ye not hate me, and drive me out of my father's house? and why are ye come unto me now when ye are in distress?

11.8 And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, Therefore now we will return unto thee, and thou shalt go with us, and fight with the children of Ammon, and thou shalt be our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.

11.9 And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, If ye bring me again to fight against the children of Ammon, and YHVH deliver them before me, then will I be your head?

11.10 And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, YHVH be with us, if not according to thy word, so will we do.

11.11 And Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead. and the people made him head and captain over them. and Jephthah uttered all his words before YHVH in Mizpah.

11.12 And Jephthah sent messengers unto the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What have I to do with thee, that thou art come against me to fight in my land?

11.13 And the king of the children of Ammon said unto the angels of Jephthah, Israel took away my land in their going up from Egypt, from Arnon even unto Hibiscus, even unto Jordan. and now restore them again peaceably.

11.14 And Joseph opened yet again, and sent messengers unto the king of the children of Ammon.

11.15 And he said unto him, Thus saith Jephthah, Israel took not the land of Moab, nor the land of the children of Ammon.

11.16 For when they came up out of Egypt, Israel walked through the wilderness unto the Red Sea, and came to Hodshah.

11.17 And Israel sent messengers unto the king of Edom, saying, Let me, I pray thee, pass through thy land. But the king of Edom would not hearken. and he sent also unto the king of Moab, but he would not receive. so Israel abode in Kadesh.

11.18 And he went through the wilderness, and compassed the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came from the east into the land of Moab, and passed over the Arnon. but they came not within the border of Moab. for Arnon was the border of Moab.

11.19 And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, king of Heshbon, and said unto him, Israel, let us pass through thy land unto my place.

11.20 But Sihon did not trust Israel, but crossed over his border. And Sihon gathered all his people together, and encamped in Jericho, and fought with Israel.

11.21 And YHVH Alhym of Israel delivered Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel, and they smote him. and Israel possessed all the land of the Amorites, the inhabitants of that land.

11.22 And they possessed all the border of the Amorites, from Arnon even unto Hibiscus, and from the wilderness even unto Jordan.

11.23 And now YHVH Alhym of Israel hath dispossessed the Amorites before his people Israel; and thou shalt dispossess us.

11.24 Surely you shall inherit what Chemosh your Alhym gives you, and whatever YHVH our Alhym gives us, that we shall inherit.

11.25 And now, you are better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab. The people are too numerous for Israel. If we fight, we will fight against them.

11.26 In the sabbath of Israel in Heshbon and its towns, and in Aar and its towns, and in all the cities that are by the Arnon, three hundred years. and why were ye not delivered at that time?

11.27 And I have not sinned against thee, and thou doest me wrong to fight against me. YHVH judge this day between the children of Israel and the children of Ammon.

11.28 But the king of the children of Ammon hearkened not unto the words of Jephthah which he sent unto him.

11.29 And the Spirit of YHVH came upon Jephthah, and he passed over Gilead and Manasseh, and passed over Mizpeh Gilead. and from Mizpeh Gilead he passed over the children of Ammon.

11.30 And Jephthah vowed a vow unto YHVH, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver the children of Ammon into mine hand,

11.31 And it shall be, that whatsoever shall come forth out of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, it shall be unto YHVH, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.

11.32 And Jephthah passed over unto the children of Ammon to fight against them. and YHVH delivered them into his hand.

11.33 And they smote from Aroer even unto the coming of the twenty cities, even unto the vineyards of Abel, with a very great slaughter. and the children of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel.

11.34 And Jephthah the Mizpah came to his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with instruments of music; and she was his only child, and he had neither son nor daughter.

11.35 And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, Ah, my daughter, thou hast broken me, and thou hast been my barrenness. and I have opened my mouth unto YHVH, and I cannot return.

11.36 And she said unto him, My father, if thou hast opened thy mouth unto YHVH, do unto me according as that proceedeth out of thy mouth, after that YHVH hath avenged thee of thine enemies, the children of Ammon.

11.37 And she said unto her father, Let this thing be done unto me. let me alone two months, that I may go and go down upon the mountains, and weep for my virginity, I and my shepherds.

11.38 And he said, Go. And he sent her away two months. and she went with her companions, and wept for her virginity upon the mountains.

11.39 And it came to pass at the end of two months, that she returned unto her father, and he performed unto her the vow which he had vowed. and she knew no man. and she became a woman in Israel.

11.40 From time immemorial the daughters of Israel would go to give gifts to the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days a year.

12.1 And the men of Ephraim cried out, and went northward. and they said unto Jephthah, Why passedst thou over to fight against the children of Ammon, and calledst us not to go with thee? thine house is burned with fire upon thee.

12.2 And Jephthah said unto them, I and my people were in great strife with the children of Ammon, and I cried unto you, and ye delivered me not out of their hand.

12.3 And when I saw that there was no deliverer, I put my life in my hand, and passed over against the children of Ammon; and YHVH delivered them into my hand. and why are ye come up against me this day to fight against me?

12.4 And Jephthah gathered all the men of Gilead together, and fought with Ephraim. and the men of Gilead smote Ephraim, because they said, Ye are fugitives of Ephraim. Gilead is in the midst of Ephraim, and in the midst of Manasseh.

12.5 And Gilead took the passages of Jordan from Ephraim. and it came to pass, when the fugitives of Ephraim said, Shall I go over? And the men of Gilead said unto him, Art thou an Ephrathite? And he said, Nay.

12.6 And they said unto him, Say now, Shibal, and he said, Shibal. and he would not speak thus. and they took him, and slew him at the passages of Jordan. and there fell at that time of Ephraim forty and two thousand.

12.7 And Jephthah judged Israel six years. and Jephthah the Gileadite died, and was buried in the cities of Gilead.

12.8 And after him Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel.

12.9 And he had thirty sons and thirty daughters, whom he sent abroad, and thirty daughters he brought in for his sons from abroad. and he judged Israel seven years.

12.10 And Ibzan died, and was buried in Bethlehem.

12.11 And after him Elon the Zebulonite judged Israel, and he judged Israel ten years.

12.12 And Elon the Zebulonite died, and was buried in Elon in the land of Zebulun.

12.13 And after him Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite judged Israel.

12.14 And he had forty sons and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy chariots, and he judged Israel eight years.

12.15 And Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died, and was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the hill country of the Amalekites.

13.1 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of YHVH. and YHVH delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years.

13.2 And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and had no children.

13.3 And the angel of YHVH appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold, thou art barren, and bearest not. but thou hast conceived, and borne a son.

13.4 Now therefore beware, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing.

13.5 For, behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no scribe shall come upon his head. for the child shall be a Nazarite unto Alhym from the womb. and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.

13.6 And the woman came and told the woman, saying, A man of Alhym came unto me, and his appearance was like the appearance of an angel of Alhym, very terrible. and I asked him not whence he was, neither told he me his name.

13.7 And he said unto me, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son. and now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean thing. for the child shall be a nazirite unto Alhym from the womb unto the day of his death.

13.8 Then Manoah prayed unto YHVH, and said, O my lord, let the man of Alhym whom thou didst send come again unto us, and teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born.

13.9 And Alhym heard the voice of Manoah. and the angel of Alhym came again unto the woman; and she sat in the field; and there was no woman with her.

13.10 And the woman made haste, and ran, and told the woman, and said unto him, Behold, the man that came unto me the other day hath appeared unto me.

13.11 And Manoah arose, and went after his wife, and came unto the man, and said unto him, Art thou the man that spake unto the woman? And he said, I am.

13.12 And Manoah said, Now let thy words come to pass, what shall be the judgment of the child, and what shall he do?

13.13 And the angel of YHVH said unto Manoah, Of all that I said unto the woman be careful.

13.14 You shall not eat of anything that comes from the vine, neither shall you drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing. All that I command you shall keep.

13.15 And Manoah said unto the angel of YHVH, Detain me, I pray thee, and we will prepare for thee a kid of the goats.

13.16 And the angel of YHVH said unto Manoah, If thou detain me, I will not eat of thy bread. and if thou wilt prepare an offering unto YHVH, then thou shalt offer it. for Manoah knew not that he was an angel of YHVH.

13.17 And Manoah said unto the angel of YHVH, What is thy name? for thy words shall come to pass, and we shall honor thee.

13.18 And the angel of YHVH said unto him, Why dost thou ask after my name? seeing it is wonderful.

13.19 And Manoah took the kids of the goats and the offering, and offered it up upon the rock unto YHVH, and wrought wonders. and Manoah and his wife looked on.

13.20 And it came to pass, when the flame went up from off the altar toward heaven, that the angel of YHVH ascended in the flame of the altar. and Noah and his wife saw it, and they fell upon their faces to the earth.

13.21 And the angel of YHVH appeared no more to Manoah and to his wife. then Manoah knew that he was an angel of YHVH.

13.22 And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die; for we have seen Alhym.

13.23 And his wife said unto him, If YHVH had pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt offering and a meat offering from our hand, neither would we have shewed all these things, and now we have not uttered such a thing.

13.24 And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson. and the child grew, and YHVH blessed him.

13.25 And the Spirit of YHVH began to move upon the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.

14.1 And Samson went down to Timnah, and saw a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines.

14.2 And he went up and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines; now therefore get her for me to wife.

14.3 And his father and his mother said unto him, Is there not a wife among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.

14.4 But his father and his mother knew not that it was of YHVH, that he sought figs of the Philistines. and at that time the Philistines were a reproach to Israel.

14.5 And Samson went down, and his father, and his mother, to Timnah. and they came to the vineyards of Timnah. and, behold, a lion roared against him.

14.6 And the Spirit of YHVH came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would rent a kid. and he had nothing in his hand. neither told he his father nor his mother what he had done.

14.7 And he went down, and spake unto the woman, and she pleased Samson well.

14.8 And he sat down to take it, and went away to see the lion's carcass. and, behold, there was a swarm of bees in the carcase of the lion, and honey.

14.9 And he took it into his hands, and went his way, and ate. and he came to his father and mother, and gave unto them, and they did eat. but he told them not that the honey was come out of the lion's den.

14.10 And Abihu went down to the woman, and Samson made a feast there; for so the young men used to do.

14.11 And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they took thirty wicked men, and they were with him.

14.12 And Samson said unto them, Put forth a riddle, I pray you, if ye can tell it me within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, I will give you thirty sheets and thirty changes of raiment.

14.13 And if you cannot tell me, then you shall give me thirty sheets and thirty changes of clothing. And they shall say to him, Prove your riddle, and it shall be told to him.

14.14 And he said unto them, Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the fat came forth sweetness. and they could not tell the riddle three days.

14.15 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they said unto Samson's wife, Entice thy husband, that he may declare unto us the riddle, lest we burn thee and thy father's house with fire, which is our inheritance. Did ye not call us?

14.16 And Samson's wife wept over him, and said, Thou only hatest me, and lovest me not. thou hast put forth a riddle unto the children of my people, and hast not told it me. And he said unto her, Behold, I have not told it my father or my mother, but I will tell it thee.

14.17 And she wept for him the seven days that they had their feast. and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her that she had oppressed him. and she told the riddle unto the children of her people.

14.18 And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day, before the raisin came, What is sweeter than honey? and what is sweeter than honey? And he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my cart, ye would not have found out my riddle.

14.19 And the Spirit of YHVH came mightily upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their forelocks, and gave the forelocks to them that told the riddle. and his anger was kindled, and he went up to the house of his father.

14.20 And Samson's wife became his shepherd, which he shepherded.

15.1 And it came to pass in the days of wheat harvest, that Samson visited his wife with goats' garments, and said unto her, My father, come in unto my wife, and her father suffereth her not to come in.

15.2 And her father said, I said, I hate her, and will give her to thy wife. is not the younger sister better than she? Be thou, I pray thee, in her stead?

15.3 And Samson said unto them, This time I will deliver the Philistines out of their hand, because I have done evil unto them.

15.4 And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took them for torches, and turned tail to tail, and put a torch between two tails in the midst of the fire.

15.5 And he kindled fire with torches, and sent it into the hill country of the Philistines, and burned from Gaddis even to Kama even to the vineyard of Olives.

15.6 And the Philistines said, Who hath done this? And they said, Samson, the son-in-law of the Temanites, because he hath taken his wife, and given her to his shepherd. and the Philistines came up, and burned her and her father with fire.

15.7 And Samson said unto them, If ye do this, I will avenge myself upon you, and afterward I will cease.

15.8 And he smote them thigh and thigh with a great slaughter, and went down, and dwelt in the place of the rock of Etam.

15.9 And the Philistines came up, and pitched in Judah, and besieged the city.

15.10 And the men of Judah said, Why are you come up against us? And they said, To bind Samson, we must do to him as he did to us.

15.11 Then three thousand men of Judah went down to the rock of Etam, and said to Samson, Knowest thou not that the Philistines are a league against us? and what is this that thou hast done unto us? And he said unto them, As they did unto me, so have I done unto them?

15.12 And they said unto him, We have come down to deliver thee into the hand of the Philistines. And Samson said unto them, Swear unto me, that ye will not hurt me.

15.13 And they said unto him, Nay, but we will bind thee, and deliver thee into their hand. but if thou die, we will not put thee to death. And they bound him two and a half years, and brought him up out of the rock.

15.14 He came to Lachish, and the Philistines shouted against him, and the Spirit of YHVH came mightily upon him, and the irons that were on his arms became like coals of fire, and his bonds melted from off his hands.

15.15 And he found a fresh ass's cheek, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men with it.

15.16 And Samson said, With the cheek of a donkey, with the cheek of a donkey, I have slain a thousand men.

15.17 And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking, that he cast away the leech from his hand, and called that place Ramath leech.

15.18 And he was very thirsty, and called upon YHVH, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant. and now shall I die of thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised.

15.19 And Alhym clave the hollow place that was in his cheek, and water came out of it, and he drank, and his spirit came back, and he revived. Therefore the name of the hollow place that was in his cheek was called, The eye of the one who calls, to this day.

15.20 And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.

16.1 And Samson went to Gaza, and saw there a harlot, and went in unto her.

16.2 And the people of Gaza said, Samson is come hither. and they set themselves in wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and lay in wait all night, saying, Until the morning light, we will kill him.

16.3 And Samson lay until midnight, and rose up at midnight, and took hold of the doors of the city gate, and of the two posts, and went with the bar, and put it upon his shoulders, and hid himself to the top of the mountain that is before Hebron.

16.4 And it came to pass after this, that he loved a woman by the brook of Sherek, whose name was Delilah.

16.5 And YHVHs of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength is, and wherein we can prevail against him, and bind him, that we may answer him, and we will give thee every man eleven hundred pieces of silver.

16.6 And Delilah said unto Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherein thou mightest be tempted.

16.7 And Samson said unto her, If they bind me with seven fresh figs that have not been eaten, and I be sick, and be as one of the other men,

16.8 And YHVHs of the Philistines brought up unto her seven young ewe lambs, which were not eaten, and she bound him with them.

16.9 And the ambush sat down for her in the chamber, and she said unto him, The Philistines are upon thee, Samson, and he shall break the cords, as one breaketh a maiden's wick, when he smelleth the fire. and his strength was not known.

16.10 And Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies. now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou wouldest be bound.

16.11 And he said unto her, If I be bound, let them bind me in new garments, in which we have not wrought any work, and I shall be sick, and be as one of the men.

16.12 And Delilah took new ropes, and bound him with them, and said unto him, The Philistines are upon thee, Samson. And the ambush sat in the chamber, and he was torn from his seed as a thread.

16.13 And Delilah said unto Samson, How long wilt thou deceive me, and speak lies unto me? tell me wherewith thou wouldest be bound. And he said unto her, If thou wilt weave the seven braids of my hair with the braid,

16.14 And she stuck in the pin, and said unto him, The Philistines are upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and drew the pin, the web, and the veil.

16.15 And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, and thine heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth.

16.16 And it came to pass, when she pressed him with her words all the days, and pressed upon him, that his soul was vexed unto death.

16.17 And he told her all his heart, and said unto her, A scribe hath not come upon my head. for I have been a nazirite unto Alhym from my mother's womb. if I were shaved, then my strength would go from me, and I would be sick, and I would be like any other man.

16.18 And Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, and she sent and called for YHVHs of the Philistines, saying, Come up this time, for he has told her all his heart. And YHVHs of the Philistines came up to her, and brought up the money in their hand.

16.19 And she made him lie down on her knees, and called the man, and shaved off the seven locks of his head, and began to afflict him, and his strength departed from him.

16.20 And the Philistines said unto Samson, Be upon thee. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times, and shake myself. And he knew not that YHVH was departed from him.

16.21 And the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters, and he did grinding in the prison.

16.22 And the hair of his head began to grow again, as he was shaved.

16.23 And YHVHs of the Philistines gathered themselves together to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice. and they said, Our god hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand.

16.24 And the people saw him, and praised their Alhym. for they said, Our Alhym hath delivered into our hand our enemy, and him that destroyed our country, and him that slew us many.

16.25 And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make sport for us. And they called for Samson out of the prison house, and he made sport before them, and they set him between the pillars.

16.26 And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Put me down, and I will lean upon the pillars whereon the house standeth, that I may lean upon them.

16.27 And the house was full of men and women, and all YHVHs of the Philistines were there. and upon the roof were about three thousand men and women, watching Samson in amusement.

16.28 And Samson called unto YHVH, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O Alhym, that I may be avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.

16.29 And Samson took away the two pillars of the inner wall, whereon the house stood, and he leaned upon them, one on his right hand, and the other on his left.

16.30 And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he threw himself with his might, and the house fell upon the captains, and upon all the people that were therein. and the dead which he slew at his death were more than those whom he slew in his life.

16.31 And his brethren and all his father's house came down, and carried him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the sepulchre of Manoah his father. and he judged Israel twenty years.

17.1 Now there was a man of mount Ephraim, whose name was Micaiah.

17.2 And he said to his mother, The eleven hundred pieces of silver which I took from you, I have brought with me; and you also said in my ears, Behold, the silver is with me; I have taken it. And his mother said, Blessed be my son by YHVH.

17.3 And he restored the eleven hundred pieces of silver to his mother. and his mother said, The silver is holy. I have dedicated the silver unto YHVH of my son's hand to make a graven image and a molten image. now therefore I will restore it unto thee.

17.4 And he restored the money to his mother. and his mother took two hundred pieces of silver, and gave it to the goldsmith, and they made it into a graven image, and a seal. and it was in the house of Micah.

17.5 And the man made him a house of Alhym, and made an ephod and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, and he became his priest.

17.6 In those days there was no king in Israel, no man did what was right in his own eyes.

17.7 And there was a young man out of Bethlehemjudah, of the family of Judah, and he was a Levite, and he sojourned there.

17.8 And the man went out of the city out of Bethlehemjudah to sojourn where he could find, and came to the hill country of Ephraim to the house of Micah, to sojourn there.

17.9 And Micah said unto him, Whence comest thou? And Levi said unto him, I am of Bethlehemjudah, and I have gone to sojourn where I may find.

17.10 And Micah said unto him, Return, I pray thee, and be unto me a father and a priest, and I will give thee ten pieces of silver for the space of days, and change thy raiment, and make thee thy bed. And the Levite went.

17.11 And Joel the Levite sat down with the man, and the boy became to him as one of his sons.

17.12 And Micah filled the hand of the Levite, and the young man became his priest, and he was in the house of Micah.

17.13 And Micah said, Now know I that YHVH will do me good, seeing I have a Levite to be my priest.

18.1 In those days there was no king in Israel, and in those days the tribe of Dan asked for an inheritance to dwell in, because to that day no inheritance had fallen to them among the tribes of Israel.

18.2 And the children of Dan sent of their family five men of their coasts, men of valor, from Mizrah and from Eshtael, to spy out the land, and to search it out. And they said unto them, Go, search out the land, and come into mount Ephraim unto the house of Micah, and lodge there.

18.3 And they of the house of Micah knew the voice of the young man the Levite, and turned thither, and said unto him, Who brought thee to Halim? and what hast thou done here? and what hast thou here?

18.4 And he said unto them, Thus and thus did Micah do unto me, and hired me, that I might be his priest.

18.5 And they said unto him, Ask of Alhym, we pray thee, that we may know whether our way which we go shall prosper.

18.6 And the priest said unto them, Go in peace before YHVH on your way which ye go.

18.7 And the five men went and came to Lisha, and saw the people that were therein, dwelling securely, as the Sidonians had done, quiet and secure, and having no trouble in the land of the Regent, and far off from Sidonians, and having no talk with any man.

18.8 And they came to their brethren Zorah and Eshtael. and their brethren said unto them, What are ye?

18.9 And they said, Arise, and let us go up against them. for we have seen the land, and, behold, it is very good. and ye are afraid. be not hasty to go up to possess the land.

18.10 When you come, you will come to a people who are secure and whose land is large, for Alhym has given you a place where there is no lack of anything in the land.

18.11 And there departed from the family of the Danites from Mizraah and Eshtael, six hundred men armed with weapons of war.

18.12 And they went up, and pitched in Kirjath-jearim in Judah. therefore they called that place Camp Dan unto this day. behold, it is behind Kirjath-jearim.

18.13 And they passed from thence through mount Ephraim, and came unto the house of Micah.

18.14 And the five men that went to spy out the land answered Jish and said unto their brethren, Do ye know that there is in these houses an ephod, and teraphim, and an image, and a mask? Now therefore know what ye shall do.

18.15 And they departed thither, and came to the house of the young man the Levite, the house of Micah, and saluted him.

18.16 And six hundred men armed with their weapons of war stood at the entrance of the gate of the children of Dan.

18.17 And the five men that went to spy out the land went up, and came thither, and took the image, and the ephod, and the teraphim, and the mask. and the priest stood at the entering in of the gate, and the six hundred men girded with weapons of war.

18.18 And they came to the house of Micah, and took the ephod, and the teraphim, and the mask. and the priest said unto them, What do ye?

18.19 And they said unto him, Deaf man, lay thine hand upon thy mouth, and go with us, and be unto us a father and a priest. whether thou be a priest unto the house of one man, or whether thou be a priest unto a tribe and a family in Israel.

18.20 And the priest's heart was softened, and he took the ephod, and the teraphim, and the image, and came into the midst of the people.

18.21 And they turned and went, and put the little ones and the cattle and the baggage before them.

18.22 They were far from the house of Micah, and the people who were in the houses that were with Micah's house were called out and overtook the children of Dan.

18.23 And they called unto the children of Dan, and they turned their faces, and said unto Micah, What aileth thee, that thou art called?

18.24 And he said, Take my gods which I have made, and the priest, and go your way. and what have I more? and what is this that ye say unto me, What have ye to do with me?

18.25 And the children of Dan said unto him, Let not thy voice be heard among us, lest men of a wicked heart fall upon you, and it shall be your life, and the life of your house.

18.26 And the children of Dan went their way. and Micah saw that they were too strong for him, and he turned and went home.

18.27 And they took what Micah had made, and the priest that he had, and came to Laish, to a people quiet and secure, and smote them with the edge of the sword, and burned the city with fire.

18.28 And there is no deliverer, because it is far from Sidon, and they have no word with any man, and it is in the valley that is by Beth-ruhu. And they built the city, and dwelt therein.

18.29 And they called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father, who was born to Israel. but the name of the city was Jericho at first.

18.30 And the children of Dan set up for themselves the image. and Jonathan the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land.

18.31 And they set up for them Micah's graven image, which he had made all the days that the house of Alhym was in Shiloh.

19.1 And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning in the remote part of mount Ephraim, who took him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah.

19.2 And his concubine played the harlot with him, and went from him unto her father's house unto Bethlehem Judah, and was there four months.

19.3 And the woman arose, and went after her, to speak well of her, to bring her back again. And her servant went with her, and a couple of asses, and she brought him to her father's house. And the father of the damsel saw him, and was glad to meet him.

19.4 And his son-in-law, the damsel's father, prevailed upon him, and abode with him three days. and they did eat and drink, and lodged there.

19.5 And it came to pass on the fourth day, that they rose up early in the morning, and rose up to depart. and the damsel's father said unto his son-in-law, Eat a morsel of bread, and afterward ye shall go.

19.6 And they sat down, and did eat and drink both of them together. and the damsel's father said unto the man, I pray thee, tarry, and spend the night, and let thine heart be comforted.

19.7 And the man rose up to go. and his son-in-law urged him, and he sat down and slept there.

19.8 And he rose up early in the morning on the fifth day to depart. and the damsel's father said, Refresh thy heart, and tarry until the day break. and they both did eat.

19.9 And the man rose up to go, he and his concubine and his servant. and his son-in-law said unto him, The damsel's father, Behold, I pray thee, tarry to-day, and lodge here to-day, and it shall be well with thee; and ye shall rise up early in the morning, and go your way, and go to your tents.

19.10 And the man would not tarry all night, but rose up, and departed, and came over against Jebus, which is Jerusalem. and with him was a couple of asses saddled, and his concubine with him.

19.11 They are Jebusites, and today it is very cold. The servant said to his master, "Go, please, and let us go into this city of the Jebusites, and let us spend the night there."

19.12 And his master said unto him, We will not turn aside into the city of a stranger, which is not of the children of Israel. behold, we will pass over unto a hill.

19.13 And he said to his servant, Go, and let us draw near in one of the places, and we will go up to you on a hill or on a plain.

19.14 And they passed on, and the sun rose upon them by the hill that belongeth to Benjamin.

19.15 And they departed there to lodge in the hill. and he came and sat down in the street of the city, and no man took them into his house to lodge.

19.16 And, behold, an old man came from his work out of the field in the evening. and the man was of mount Ephraim, and he dwelt in the hill country. and the men of the place were Jemini.

19.17 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the stranger walking in the broad way of the city. and the old man said, Whither goest thou, and whence comest thou?

19.18 And he said unto him, We are Hebrews, from Bethlehemjudah unto the side of mount Ephraim. and I am from thence, and I go even to Bethlehemjudah. and I go to the house of YHVH, and there is no man to take me home.

19.19 And there is both straw and provender for our asses, and bread and wine, both I and thy mother, and the young man, and thy servants, lack nothing.

19.20 And the old man said, Peace be unto thee; only all thy want is upon me; only in the street do not be troubled.

19.21 And he brought him into his house, and gave the asses provender, and they washed their feet, and did eat and drink.

19.22 And they were well pleased with their hearts. and, behold, the men of the city, even men of Belial, compassed the house about, and beat at the door, and said unto the old man, the master of the house, Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know.

19.23 And the man, the owner of the house, went out to them and said to them, "My brothers, do not be afraid. Since this man came into my house, do not do this wicked thing."

19.24 Behold, my virgin daughters and his concubines, bring them out, and afflict them, and do to them what is good in your eyes. but to this man do not do this vile thing.

19.25 But the men would not listen to him, and the man strengthened himself in his concubine, and the stranger went out to them, and they knew her, and they abused her all night until the morning, and sent her away at daybreak.

19.26 And the woman came in the morning, and knelt at the door of the man's house, where her master was, until the light.

19.27 And her master rose up in the morning, and opened the doors of the house, and went out to go his way. and, behold, the woman his concubine fell down at the door of the house, with her hands on the threshold.

19.28 And he said unto her, Arise, and let us go. And there was no answer. so she saddled the ass. and the man arose, and went unto his place.

19.29 And he came into his house, and took the meat offering, and laid it upon his concubine, and cut her in twelve pieces, and sent her throughout all the coasts of Israel.

19.30 And it came to pass, that every one that saw it said, There hath not been such a thing, nor been seen since the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto this day. take counsel and speak concerning it.

20.1 Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Madan even to Beersheba, and the land of Gilead, unto YHVH at Mizpah.

20.2 And all the people, even all the tribes of Israel, stood in the assembly with Alhym, four hundred thousand footmen drawing sword.

20.3 And the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were come up to Mizpah. and the children of Israel said, Tell us, how was this evil?

20.4 And the Levite, the husband of the woman that was slain, answered and said, I and my concubine came to lodge in Gibeah, which belongeth to Benjamin.

20.5 And the men of the hill rose up against me, and besieged the house against me all night, and they slew me, and they tortured my concubine, and she died.

20.6 And I took hold of my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and sent her into all the land of Israel's possession. for they have committed lewdness and whoredom in Israel.

20.7 Behold, all you children of Israel have brought to you a word and a counsel of astonishment.

20.8 And all the people arose as one man, saying, We will not go any to his tent, nor will any turn back to his house.

20.9 And now this is the thing that shall be done to the hill upon which the lot is cast.

20.10 And we took ten men of a hundred throughout all the tribes of Israel, and a hundred of a thousand, and a thousand of a thousand, to take prey for the people, to do unto them in mount Benjamin, according to all the abomination that he did in Israel.

20.11 And all the men of Israel gathered themselves together into the city, as one man,

20.12 And the tribes of Israel sent men throughout all the tribes of Benjamin, saying, What evil is this that is befallen you?

20.13 Now therefore deliver up the men that are of Belial, which are in the hill, that we may slay them, and that there may be an evil tidings out of Israel. and the children of Benjamin shall not hearken unto the voice of their brethren the children of Israel.

20.14 And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities of Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel.

20.15 And the children of Benjamin were mustered that day out of the cities twenty and six thousand men that drew sword, beside the inhabitants of the hill country seven hundred men were mustered.

20.16 Of all this people seven hundred men, young men, with their right hands, all of them could throw a stone at the hair, and not sin.

20.17 And the men of Israel, beside Benjamin, were numbered four hundred thousand men that drew sword. all these were men of war.

20.18 And they arose, and went up to Bethel, and inquired of Alhym. And the children of Israel said, Who shall go up for us first to battle against the children of Benjamin? And YHVH said, Judah shall go up first.

20.19 And the children of Israel rose up in the morning, and encamped in the hill.

20.20 And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin. and the men of Israel set the battle in array against them on the hill.

20.21 And the children of Benjamin came out of the hill country, and destroyed down to the ground of Israel that day twenty and two thousand men.

20.22 And the people of Israel strengthened themselves, and they set the battle in array in the place where they had set it the first day.

20.23 And the children of Israel went up, and wept before YHVH until even, and inquired of YHVH, saying, Shall I again go up to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother? And YHVH said, Go up unto him.

20.24 And the children of Israel came near against the children of Benjamin the second day.

20.25 And Benjamin went out against them from the hill country on the second day, and destroyed down to the ground of the children of Israel another eighteen thousand men, all of them drawn the sword.

20.26 And all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came to Bethel, and wept, and sat there before YHVH, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before YHVH.

20.27 And the children of Israel inquired of YHVH, and where was the ark of the covenant of Alhym in those days?

20.28 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the son of Aaron stood before him in those days, saying, Shall we go out yet again to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother? And YHVH said, Go up; for tomorrow I will deliver you into thine hand.

20.29 And Israel set ambushes against the hill round about.

20.30 And the children of Israel went up against the children of Benjamin on the third day, and put themselves in array against the hill, as at other times.

20.31 And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and drew away from the city, and began to smite of the people, as at other times, in the high places, one going up to Bethel, and the other in Gibeah in the field, about thirty men of Israel.

20.32 And the children of Benjamin said, They are smitten before us, as at the first. and the children of Israel said, We have fled, and are fallen upon them from the city unto the highways.

20.33 And all the men of Israel arose out of their place, and set themselves in array at Baal Tamar. and the ambush of Israel came out of their place out of the cave of Geba.

20.34 And there came against them ten thousand chosen men out of all Israel against the hill. and the battle was sore. and they knew not that evil was come upon them.

20.35 And YHVH smote Benjamin before Israel. and the children of Israel destroyed of Benjamin that day twenty and five thousand and an hundred men. all these drew the sword.

20.36 And the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten. and the men of Israel gave place unto Benjamin. for they trusted in the ambush which they had set in the hill.

20.37 And the ambush hastened, and spread themselves upon the hill. and the ambush drew near, and smote all the city with the edge of the sword.

20.38 And it was time for the men of Israel with the great ambush to bring up a cloud of smoke from the city.

20.39 And the men of Israel turned back in the battle, and Benjamin began to slay the men of Israel, about thirty men. for they said, Surely we are smitten, he is smitten before us, as in the first battle.

20.40 And the chariot began to ascend from the city in a pillar of smoke, and Benjamin turned after it, and behold, the whole city ascended to heaven.

20.41 And the man of Israel turned back, and the man of Benjamin was afraid, for he saw that evil was come upon him.

20.42 And they turned before the men of Israel toward the way of the wilderness. and the battle overtook them, and they destroyed them in the midst of the cities.

20.43 They overtook Benjamin, pursued him, and pursued him until they came to the hill eastward.

20.44 And there fell of Benjamin eighteen thousand men. all these were men of valor.

20.45 And they turned and fled to the wilderness to the rock of Hermon, and they overtook him in the mountains, five thousand men, and pursued him as far as Gedam, and slew of him a thousand men.

20.46 And all that fell of Benjamin that day were twenty and five thousand men that drew the sword. all these were men of valor.

20.47 And they turned and fled into the wilderness unto the rock of Hermon, six hundred men, and abode in the rock of Rimmon four months.

20.48 And the men of Israel turned again upon the children of Benjamin, and smote them with the edge of the sword, both the city, and the beast, and all that was found. and all the cities that were found they set on fire.

21.1 And the men of Israel took an oath in Mizpah, saying, There shall not any man of them give his daughter to Benjamin to wife.

21.2 And the people came to Bethel, and abode there until even before Alhym, and lifted up their voice, and wept sore.

21.3 And they said, Why, O YHVH Alhym of Israel, is this come to pass in Israel, that one tribe should be cut off this day from Israel?

21.4 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people rose up early, and built there an altar, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.

21.5 And the children of Israel said, Who among the congregation came not up unto YHVH out of all the tribes of Israel? For there was a great oath that he that came not up unto YHVH of hosts, saying, He shall surely be put to death.

21.6 And the children of Israel comforted their brethren Benjamin, and said, One tribe is cut off from Israel this day.

21.7 What shall we do for them that remain for wives? And we have sworn by YHVH that we will not give them of our daughters for wives.

21.8 And they said, Who is there of the tribes of Israel that came not up to YHVH in Mizpah? And, behold, there came not a man of the Gileadites unto the camp unto the congregation?

21.9 And the people were numbered, and, behold, there was not there any of the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead.

21.10 And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the fighting men, and commanded them, saying, Go and smite the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead with the edge of the sword, with the women and the little ones.

21.11 And this is the thing that ye shall do. every male, and every woman that hath known man by lying with him, ye shall put away your possessions.

21.12 And they found among the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead four hundred young virgins, that had not known man by lying with him. and they brought them into the camp of Shelah, which is in the land of Canaan.

21.13 And all the congregation sent and spake unto the children of Benjamin which were in the rock of Rimmon, and called peace unto them.

21.14 And Benjamin dwelt at that time, and they gave them the women that were left of the women of Jabesh-gilead. and they found none so for them.

21.15 And the people comforted Benjamin, because YHVH had made a breach in the tribes of Israel.

21.16 And the elders of the congregation said, What shall we do for the women that remain, seeing a woman is destroyed out of Benjamin?

21.17 And they said, An inheritance shall be given to Benjamin, and a tribe shall not be blotted out of Israel.

21.18 And we cannot give them wives of our daughters. for the children of Israel have sworn, saying, Cursed be he that giveth a wife to Benjamin.

21.19 And they said, Behold, the feast of YHVH is in season from the days of old, which is from the north of Bethel toward the rising of the sun unto Meshelah, and go up from Bethel to Shechem, and to Negev to frankincense.

21.20 And they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie in wait in the vineyards.

21.21 And ye shall see, and, behold, the daughters of Shiloh come out to the field, and ye shall come out of the vineyards, and ye shall catch every man his wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and go into the land of Benjamin.

21.22 And it shall come to pass, when their fathers or their brethren shall come unto us, that we shall say unto them, We have forgiven them, because we have not taken any of their wives in the war. for ye gave them not; now ye shall be guilty.

21.23 And the children of Benjamin did so, and took wives for themselves of the harlots which they had taken captive, and went and returned unto their inheritance, and built the cities, and dwelt in them.

21.24 And the children of Israel departed thence at that time, every man according to his tribe and family, and they went out thence every man unto his inheritance.

21.25 In those days there was no king in Israel, no man did what was right in his own eyes.