1:1 Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel inquired [by Urim-Thummim] of YHWH asking, Who will go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them?^1:2 And YHWH replied, Judah will go up^: see, I have delivered the land into his hand.^1:3 Then Judah said to Simeon his brother, come up with me into my lot so that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with you into your lot. So Simeon went with him.^1:4 And Judah went up; and YHWH delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand^: and they killed of them in Bezek 10,000 men.^1:5 And they found Adonibezek in Bezek^: and they fought against him, and they killed the Canaanites and the Perizzites.^1:6 But Adonibezek fled; and they pursued after him and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his big toes.^1:7 and Adoni-Bezek said, 70 kings (their thumbs and their big toes cut off) have been gathering under my table; as I have done so had Elohim repaid to me; and they brought him in to Jerusalem, and he died there.^1:8 Now the children of Judah had fought against Jerusalem and had taken it, and smitten it with the edge of the sword, and set the city on fire.^1:9 And afterward the children of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites, that lived in the mountains and in the south, and in the valley.^1:10 And Judah went against the Canaanites that lived in Hebron^: (now the name of Hebron before was Kirjatharba^:) and they killed Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai.^1:11 And from there he went against the inhabitants of Debir^: and the name of Debir before was Kirjathsepher.^1:12 Then Caleb said, he that attacks Kirjathsepher and takes it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter for your woman.^1:13 And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, took it^: and he gave him Achsah his daughter for his woman.^1:14 And it came about when she came to him, that she moved him to ask of her dad for a field^: and she lighted from off her donkey; and Caleb said to her, what do you desire? ^1:15 And she replied to him, give me a blessing, because you have given me a south land; give me also springs of water. So Caleb gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.^1:16 And the children of the Kenite, Moses' father in law, went up out of the city of palm trees with the children of Judah to the wilderness of Judah that lies in the south of Arad; and they went and lived among the people.^1:17 And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they killed the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and Devoted them to Destruction. And the name of the city was called Hormah.^1:18 Also Judah took Gaza with its territory, and Askelon with its territory, and Ekron with its territory too.^1:19 And YHWH was with Judah; and he drove out the inhabitants of the mountains; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron.^1:20 And they gave Hebron to Caleb as Moses said^: and he expelled from there the 3 sons of Anak [a race of giants].^1:21 And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites lived with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem to this day.^1:22 And the house of Joseph, they also went up against Bethel^: and YHWH was with them.^1:23 And the house of Joseph sent to spy out Bethel. (Now the name of the city before was Luz.) ^1:24 And the spies saw a man come out of the city and they said to him, show us, we ask you, the entrance into the city and we will show you kindness.^1:25 And when he showed them the entrance into the city, they attacked the city with the edge of the sword; but they let that man go and all his family.^1:26 And the man went into the land of the Hittites, and built a city, and called the name of it Luz^: that is the name of it to this day.^1:27 Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants of Bethshean and its towns, nor Taanach and its towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and its towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and its towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and its towns. But the Canaanites continued to live in that land.^1:28 And it came about, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites to forced labor, and did not dispossess them.^1:29 Neither did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites that lived in Gezer; but the Canaanites lived in Gezer among them.^1:30 Neither did Zebulun drive out the inhabitants of Kitron, nor the inhabitants of Nahalol; but the Canaanites lived among them, and became a serfdom.^1:31 Neither did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Accho, nor the inhabitants of Zidon, Ahlab, Achzib, Helbah, Aphik, nor of Rehob.^1:32 But the Asherites lived among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land^: for they did not drive them out.^1:33 Neither did Naphtali drive out the inhabitants of Bethshemesh, nor the inhabitants of Bethanath; but they lived among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land^: nevertheless the inhabitants of Bethshemesh and of Bethanath became a serfdom to them.^1:34 And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountains, because they would not permit them to come down to the valley.^1:35 But the Amorites would live in Mount Heres in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim^: still the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became a serfdom.^1:36 And the territory of the Amorites was from the ascent of Akrabbim, from the rock, and upward.

2:1 And an Angel of YHWH came up from Gilgal to Bochim and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you to the land that I adjured to your forefathers; and I said, I will never break my Covenant-Pledge with you.^2:2 And you will make no alliance with the inhabitants of this land; you will throw down their altars^: but you have not obeyed my Voice^: why have you done this?^2:3 Therefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they will be as thorns in your sides, and their elohim will be a snare to you.^2:4 And it came to pass, when the Angel of YHWH spoke these words to all the children of Israel, that the people lifted up their voice and wept.^2:5 And they called the name of that place Bochim^: and they sacrificed there to YHWH.^2:6 And when Joshua had let the people go, the children of Israel went everyone to his inheritance to possess the land.^2:7 And the people served YHWH all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the Elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of YHWH, that he did for Israel.^2:8 And Joshua the son of Nun, the slave of YHWH died, being 110 years old.^2:9 And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnathheres, in the mount of Ephraim, on the north side of the hill Gaash.^2:10 And also all that generation were gathered to their ancestors^: and there arose another generation after them that knew not YHWH, nor yet the works that he had done for Israel.^2:11 And the children of Israel did bad in the sight of YHWH, and served Baalim.^2:12 And they forsook YHWH Elohim of their forefathers, that brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other elohim, of the elohim of the people that were around them, and bowed themselves to them, and provoked YHWH to anger.^2:13 And they forsook YHWH, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.^2:14 And the anger of YHWH burned against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of plunderers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their surrounding enemies, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.^2:15 Wherever they went out, the hand of YHWH was against them for bad, as YHWH had said, and as YHWH had adjured to them^: and they were greatly distressed.^2:16 Nevertheless YHWH raised up Judges that delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them.^2:17 But still they would not listen to their Judges, but they committed fornication after other elohim, and bowed themselves to them^: they turned quickly out of the way that their fathers walked in, from obeying the commandments of YHWH; but they did not do so.^2:18 And when YHWH raised them up Judges, then YHWH was with the Judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of that Judge, because YHWH was grieved because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them.^2:19 And it came about, when the Judge was dead that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their ancestors, in following other elohim to serve them, and to bow down to them; they ceased not from their own practices, nor from their stubborn way.^2:20 And the anger of YHWH burned against Israel and he said, Because now this people has transgressed my Covenant-Pledge that I commanded their fathers, and have not listened to my Voice;^2:21 I will also no longer drive out any from before them of the nations that Joshua left when he died.^2:22 That through them I may test Israel, whether they will observe the way of YHWH to walk in it as their fathers did observe it, or not.^2:23 Therefore YHWH left those nations, without driving them out quickly; neither delivered he them into the hand of Joshua.

3:1 Now these are the nations that YHWH left, to test Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan;^3:2 (only for the sake of the generations of the children of Israel's knowing, to teach them war, only those who formerly have not known them)^3:3 namely, 5 lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that lived in Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baalhermon to the entering in of Hamath.^3:4 And they were to test Israel by them, to know whether they would listen to the commandments of YHWH that he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses.^3:5 And the children of Israel lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.^3:6 And they took their daughters to be their women, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their elohim.^3:7 And the children of Israel did bad in the sight of YHWH, and forgot YHWH their Elohim, and served Baalim and the groves (for idol worship).^3:8 Therefore the anger of YHWH burned against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia^: and the children of Israel served Chushanrishathaim 8 years.^3:9 And when the children of Israel cried to YHWH, then YHWH raised up a deliverer for the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger nephew.^3:10 And the Spirit of YHWH came upon him, and he Judged Israel and went out to war^: and YHWH delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim.^3:11 And the land had rest 40 years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.^3:12 Then the children of Israel did bad again in the sight of YHWH^: and YHWH strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done bad in the sight of YHWH.^3:13 And he gathered to him the children of Ammon and Amalek, and went and attacked Israel, and possessed the city of palm trees.^3:14 So the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab 18 years.^3:15 But when the children of Israel cried to YHWH, then YHWH raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a left-handed man^: and by him the children of Israel sent a present to Eglon the king of Moab.^3:16 But Ehud fashioned himself a dagger that had two edges, of a cubit length [18 inches]; and he did belt it under his clothing upon his right thigh.^3:17 And he brought the present to Eglon king of Moab^: and Eglon was a very fat man.^3:18 And when he had made an end to offer the present, he sent away the people that carried the present.^3:19 But he himself turned back from the idols that were by Gilgal and said, I have a secret matter for you, O king^: who replied, keep quiet. And all that stood by him went out from him.^3:20 Then Ehud came to him as he was sitting in a summer roof-room that he had for himself alone. And Ehud said, I have a message from Elohim for you. And he got up out of his seat.^3:21 And Ehud put out his left hand, and took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly.^3:22 And the haft (hilt of the blade) also went in after the blade; and the fat closed upon the blade, so that he could not draw the dagger out of his belly; and the feces came out.^3:23 Then Ehud went out through the porch, and shut the doors of the roof-room after him, and locked them.^3:24 When he was gone out his slaves came back; and when they saw that, observing the doors of the roof-room were locked, they said, Surely he is going to the bathroom in his roof-room.^3:25 And they waited until they were disconcerted, and observed that he opened not the doors of the roof-room; therefore they took a key and opened it up, and lo, their lord was fallen down dead on the surface [of the floor].^3:26 But Ehud escaped while they waited, and passed beyond the idols, and escaped to Seirath.^3:27 And it came about, when he was come, that he blew a trumpet in the hill country of Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the hill country, with him leading them.^3:28 And he said to them, Follow after me because YHWH has delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand. And they went down after him, and took the fords of Jordan toward Moab, and permitted no one to pass over.^3:29 And they killed of Moab at that time about 10,000 men, all robust and all men of valor; and there escaped not a man.^3:30 So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest for 80 years.^3:31 And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath that killed of the Philistines 600 men with an ox goad^: and he also delivered Israel.

4:1 And the children of Israel again did bad in the sight of YHWH, when Ehud was dead.^4:2 And YHWH sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose army was Sisera that lived in Harosheth of the Gentiles.^4:3 And the children of Israel cried to YHWH because he had 900 chariots of iron; and for 20 years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.^4:4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the woman of Lapidoth, she Judged Israel at that time.^4:5 And she lived under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in Mount 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 Kedeshnaphtali and said to him, has not YHWH Elohim of Israel commanded saying, Go and draw toward Mount Tabor, and take with you 10,000 men from the children of Naphtali and from the children of Zebulun? ^4:7 And I will draw to you (to the Kishon River) Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into your hand.^4:8 Then Barak replied to her, if you will go with me, then I will go^: but if you will not go with me, then I will not go.^4:9 And she replied, I will certainly go with you^: notwithstanding the journey that you take will not be for your honor, because YHWH will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. So Deborah got up and went with Barak to Kedesh.^4:10 And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with 10,000 men at his feet, and Deborah went up with him.^4:11 Now Heber the Kenite that was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had separated himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent on the plain of Zaanaim that is by Kedesh.^4:12 And they reported to Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor.^4:13 Then Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even 900 chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles to the Kishon River.^4:14 And Deborah said to Barak, Up, for this is the day in which YHWH has delivered Sisera into your hand. Is not YHWH gone out before you? So Barak went down from Mount Tabor, and 10,000 men after him.^4:15 And YHWH crushed Sisera, and all his chariots and all his army, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet.^4:16 But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the army to Harosheth of the Gentiles. And all the army of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword, and there was not a man left.^4:17 But Sisera escaped on his feet to the tent of Jael (the woman of Heber) the Kenite^: for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite.^4:18 And Jael went out to meet Sisera and said to him, turn in my lord, turn in to me; fear not. And when he had turned in to her into the tent, she covered him with a blanket.^4:19 And he said to her, give me I ask you, a little water to drink because I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk and gave him drink, and covered him.^4:20 Again he said to her, stand in the door of the tent and it will be, when anyone does come and inquire of you and asks, is there anyone here? that you will say, no.^4:21 Then Jael (Heber's woman) took a nail from the tent, and took a hammer in her hand, and went softly to him, and drove the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground, for he was fast asleep and weary, and so he died.^4:22 And see, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him and said to him, come and I will show you the man who you seek. And when he came into her tent, look, Sisera was fallen dead and the nail was in his temples.^4:23 So Elohim subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel.^4:24 And the hand of the children of Israel prospered, and prevailed against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.

5:1 Then Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam sang on that day saying,^5:2 Praise you YHWH for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves.^5:3 Hear, O you kings; give ear, O you princes; I, even I, will sing to YHWH; I will sing praise to YHWH Elohim of Israel.^5:4 YHWH, when you went out of Seir, when you marched out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled and the skies dropped, the clouds also dropped their water.^5:5 The mountains flowed with water from before YHWH, even that Sinai from before YHWH Elohim of Israel.^5:6 In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travelers walked through winding roads.^5:7 The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I arose, Deborah, that I arose, a mother in Israel.^5:8 They chose new elohim; then was war in the gates^: was there a shield or spear seen among 40,000 in Israel?^5:9 My heart is toward the Governors of Israel, that offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless you YHWH,^5:10 mediate, you that ride on tanned female donkeys, you that sit in cloth garments and travel the journey.^5:11 They that are delivered from the sound of archers in the drawing place of water, there will they rehearse the righteous acts of YHWH, even the righteous acts toward the inhabitants of his villages in Israel. Then will the people of YHWH go down to the court of the Tabernacle.^5:12 Awake, awake, Deborah^: awake, awake, utter a song^: arise, Barak, and lead your captivity captive, you son of Abinoam.^5:13 Then the remnant will have dominion over the waters [compare with Rev.11:6] among the people^: YHWH came down with me against the mighty.^5:14 Out of Ephraim was there a root of them against Amalek; after you, Benjamin, among your people; out of Machir came down governors, and out of Zebulun him that handles the pen of the writer.^5:15 And the chiefs of Issachar were with Deborah; even Issachar, and also Barak^: he was sent on foot into the valley. In the divisions of Reuben, great are the decrees of heart! ^5:16 Why did you stay among the sheepfolds, to hear the hissing of the flocks? For in the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.^5:17 Gilead resided beyond Jordan^: and why did Dan sojourn in ships? Asher has continued at the haven of the seas, and by his creeks does he tabernacle.^5:18 Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeopardized their lives to the death on the high places of the field.^5:19 The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money.^5:20 They fought from the skies; the star of Messiah in their courses fought against Sisera.^5:21 The river of Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. O my life, you have tread down strength.^5:22 Then were the horse-hoofs broken by the means of the galloping, the galloping of their valiant ones.^5:23 Curse Meroz , said a messenger of YHWH, Cursing, curse you its inhabitants, for they came not to the help of YHWH, to the help of YHWH among the mighty! ^5:24 Blessed above women will Jael the woman of Heber the Kenite be, blessed will she be above women in the tent.^5:25 He asked water, and she gave him milk, she brought out butter in a great dish.^5:26 She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workmen's hammer; and with the hammer she killed Sisera, she destroyed his head, when she had pierced and penetrated through his temples.^5:27 At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay down^: at her feet he bowed, he fell^: where he bowed, there he fell down dead.^5:28 The mother of Sisera looked out at a window, and cried through the lattice, why is his chariot so long in coming? why delayed are the wheels of his chariots?^5:29 Her wise ladies answered her, yes, she returned answer to herself,^5:30 have they not found? have they not divided the plunder; to every man a damsel or two; to Sisera a plunder of dyed colors, a spoil of dyed cloth of needlework, of dyed colors of needlework on both sides, for the necks of them that take the spoil?^5:31 So let all your enemies perish, O YHWH^: but let them that love him be as the sun when it goes out in its might. And the land had rest 40 years.

6:1 And the children of Israel did bad in the sight of YHWH^: and then YHWH delivered them into the hand of Midian for 7 years.^6:2 And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel^: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made themselves dens that are in the mountains and caves, and strongholds.^6:3 And so it was when Israel had sown seed that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children from the East, even they came up against them;^6:4 Then they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, until you come to Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor donkey.^6:5 Because they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number^: and they entered into the land to destroy it.^6:6 And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites, and the children of Israel cried unto YHWH.^6:7 And it came about when the children of Israel cried to YHWH because of the Midianites,^6:8 that YHWH sent a prophet to the children of Israel that said to them, So says YHWH Elohim of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you out of the house of bondage;^6:9 And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drove them out from before you, and gave you their land;^6:10 And I said to you, I am YHWH Elohim; fear not the elohim of the Amorites, in whose land you live, but you have not obeyed my Voice.^6:11 And there came an Angel of YHWH, and sat under an oak that was in Ophrah, that pertained to Joash the Abiezrite^: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the wine-press, to hide it from the Midianites.^6:12 And the Angel of YHWH appeared to him, and said to him, YHWH is with you, you mighty man of valor.^6:13 And Gideon replied to him, Oh my Adonai, if YHWH be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where are all his miracles that our ancestors told us of saying, did not YHWH bring us up from Egypt? but now YHWH has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.^6:14 And YHWH turned to him and said, Go in this, your power; and you have saved Israel out of the hand of Midian, have not I sent you.^6:15 And he replied to him, oh my Adonai, how will I save Israel? look, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my dad's house.^6:16 And YHWH said to him, Certainly I will be with you and you will attack the Midianites as one man.^6:17 And he replied to him, if now I have found favor in your sight, then show me a sign that you talked with me.^6:18 Don't leave from here I ask you, until I come to you, and bring out my offering and set it before you. And he replied, I will stay until you come back.^6:19 And Gideon went in, and made ready a female goat and unleavened cakes of an ephah [3/5 bushel] of flour^: the meat he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out to him under the oak, and offered it.^6:20 And the Angel of Elohim said to him, Take the meat and the unleavened cakes, and lay them on this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so.^6:21 Then the Angel of YHWH put out the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the meat and the unleavened cakes; and there shot up fire out of the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened cakes. Then the Angel of YHWH walked out of his sight.^6:22 And when Gideon perceived that he was an Angel of YHWH, Gideon said, Alas, O Adonai YHWH! for because I have seen an Angel of YHWH face to face.^6:23 And YHWH replied to him, Peace be to you (fear not), you will not die.^6:24 Then Gideon built an Altar there to YHWH, and called it YHWH-Shalom^: to this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.^6:25 And it came about the same night that YHWH said to him, Take your dad's young bull, even the 2nd bull of 7 years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that your dad has, and cut down the grove that is by it.^6:26 And you will erect an Altar to YHWH Elohim on the top of this stronghold, by the arrangement, and will take the 2nd bull, and caused to ascend a Burnt- Offering with the wood of the shrine that you cut down.^6:27 Then Gideon took 10 men of his slaves, and did as YHWH had said to him^: and so it was, because he feared his dad's household and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, but that he did it by night.^6:28 And when the men of the city got up early in the morning, see, the altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was cut down that was by it, and the 2nd bull was offered upon the Altar that was erected.^6:29 And they said one to another, who has done this thing? And when they inquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash has done this thing.^6:30 Then the men of the city said to Joash, bring out your son so that he may die^: because he has cast down the altar of Baal, and because he has cut down the grove that was by it.^6:31 And Joash replied to all that stood against him, will you plead for Baal? will you save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death while it is still morning^: if he is an elohim, let him plead for himself, because one has cast down his altar.^6:32 Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, let Baal plead against him, because he has thrown down his altar.^6:33 Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children from the East were gathered together, and went over, and pitched in the Valley of Jezreel.^6:34 But the Spirit of YHWH came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him.^6:35 And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; who also was gathered after him^: and he sent messengers to Asher, Zebulun, and to Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.^6:36 And Gideon said to Elohim, if you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said,^6:37 look, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing-floor; and if the dew is on the fleece only, and it is dry upon all the earth around, then will I know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said.^6:38 And it was so, because he got up early the next morning, and squeezed the fleece together, and wrung out the dew from the fleece, a bowl full of water worth.^6:39 Then Gideon said to Elohim, let not your anger burn against me, and I will speak but this once. Let me prove, I ask you, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew.^6:40 And Elohim did so that night^: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.

7:1 Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon and all the people that were with him, got up early and pitched beside the Harod Spring^: so that the camp of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.^7:2 And YHWH said to Gideon, The people that are with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, unless Israel vaunt themselves against me saying, my own hand has saved me.^7:3 Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people saying, Whoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and leave early from Mount Gilead. And there returned of the people 22,000; and there remained 10,000.^7:4 And YHWH said to Gideon, The people are still too many; bring them down to the water, and I will refine them there for you. And it will be that of those I say to you, This will go with you, the same will go with you, and of those I say to you, these will not go with you, the same will not go.^7:5 So he brought down the people to the water, and YHWH said to Gideon, Everyone that laps from the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, him will you set by himself; likewise everyone that bows down upon his knees to drink.^7:6 And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were 300 men^: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water.^7:7 And YHWH said to Gideon, By the 300 men that lapped I will save you, and deliver the Midianites into your hand^: and let all the other people go every man to his place.^7:8 So the people took food in their hand, and their trumpets^: and he sent all the rest of Israel every man to his tent, and retained those 300 men, and the camp of Midian was beneath him in the valley.^7:9 And it came about that same night, that YHWH said to him, Rise up, get you down to the camp; for I have delivered it into your hand.^7:10 But if you fear to go down, go you with Phurah your slave down to the camp.^7:11 And you will hear what they say; and afterward will your hands be strengthened to go down to the camp. Then he went down with Phurah his slave to the outskirt of the armed men that were in the camp.^7:12 And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the East lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the seaside for multitude.^7:13 And Gideon came in, and lo, a man is recounting to his companion a dream, and said, lo, a dream I have dreamed, and lo, a cake of barley-bread is turning itself over into the camp of Midian, and it comes into the tent, and strikes it, and it falls, and turns it upwards, and the tent has fallen.^7:14 And his buddy answered and said, this is nothing else except the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel, because into his hand has Elohim delivered Midian, and all the camp.^7:15 And it was so, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and its interpretation, that he worshipped and returned to the Camp of Israel and said, Arise; for YHWH has delivered into your hand the camp of Midian.^7:16 And he divided the 300 men into 3 companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers.^7:17 And he said to them, look on me and do the same as me, and see, when I come to the outside of the camp, it will be that, as I do, so will you do likewise.^7:18 When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me, then you blow the trumpets also on every side of all the camp and say, The Sword of YHWH, and of Gideon.^7:19 So Gideon, and the 100 men that were with him, came to the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch^: and they blew the trumpets, and broke the pitchers that were in their hands.^7:20 And the 3 companies blew the trumpets, and broke the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow^: and they cried, The Sword of YHWH, and of Gideon.^7:21 And they stood every man in his place around the camp^: and all the camp ran, and cried and fled.^7:22 And the 300 blew the trumpets, and YHWH set every man's sword against his companion, even throughout all the army^: and the army fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abelmeholah, to Tabbath.^7:23 And the men of Israel gathered themselves together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued after the Midianites.^7:24 And Gideon sent messengers throughout all Mount Ephraim saying, come down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters to Bethbarah and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and took the waters to Bethbarah and Jordan.^7:25 And messengers have sent Gideon into all the hill-country of Ephraim saying, come down to meet Midian, and capture before them the waters unto Beth-Barah, and the Jordan; and every man of Ephraim is called, and they capture the waters unto Beth-Barah, and the Jordan.

8:1 And the men of Ephraim said to him, why have you served us this way, that you did not call us when you went to fight with the Midianites? And they did argue with him sharply.^8:2 And he replied to them, what have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?^8:3 Elohim has delivered into your hands the chiefs of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb^: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that.^8:4 And Gideon came to Jordan and passed over, he, and the 300 men that were with him, faint, and still pursuing them.^8:5 And he said to the men of Succoth, give I ask of you, loaves of bread to the people that follow me because they are faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.^8:6 And the leaders of Succoth replied, are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand, that we should give bread to your army?^8:7 So Gideon replied, therefore when YHWH has delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.^8:8 And he went up from there to Penuel, and spoke to them likewise^: and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered him.^8:9 And he spoke also to the men of Penuel saying, when I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.^8:10 Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their army with them, about 15,000 men, all that were left of all the armies of the children of the East, because there fell 120,000 men that drew the sword.^8:11 And Gideon went up by the way of them that lived in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and attacked the army, for the camp was secure.^8:12 And when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued after them and took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and routed in terror all the army.^8:13 And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sunrise came,^8:14 and caught a young man of the men from Succoth, and inquired of him^: and he described to him the chiefs of Succoth, and their Elders, even 77 leaders.^8:15 And he came to the men of Succoth and said, look Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom you did upbraid me saying, are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in you hand, that we should give bread to your men that are weary?^8:16 And he took the Elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth [a lesson].^8:17 And he pulled down the tower of Penuel, and killed the men of the city.^8:18 Then he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, what kind of men were they whom you killed at Tabor? And they answered, as you are so were they; each one resembled the children of a king.^8:19 And he replied, they were my brothers, even the sons of my mother^: as YHWH lives, if you had saved them alive, I would not kill you.^8:20 And he said to Jether his firstborn, up and kill them. But the youth drew not his sword because he was fearful, for he was still a youth.^8:21 Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, you rise and fall upon us^: for as the man is, so is his strength. So Gideon got up and killed Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments that were on their camels' necks.^8:22 Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, you rule over us, both you and your son, and your son's son also because you have delivered us from the hand of Midian.^8:23 But Gideon replied to them, I will not rule over you, neither will my son rule over you^: YHWH will rule over you.^8:24 And Gideon said to them, I would desire a request of you, that you would give me every man the earrings of his plunder. (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)^8:25 And they answered, we will willingly give them. And they spread a garment, and did cast there every man the earrings of his plunder.^8:26 And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was 1,700 shekels [43 pounds] of gold; besides ornaments and collars, and purple clothing that was on the kings of Midian, and beside the chains that were around their camels' necks.^8:27 And Gideon made an ephod, and put it in his city, even in Ophrah^: and all Israel went there a whoring after it^: which thing became a snare to Gideon, and to his house.^8:28 Thus was Midian subdued before the children of Israel so that they lifted up their heads no more. And the country was in quietness 40 years in the days of Gideon.^8:29 And Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and lived in his own house.^8:30 And Gideon had 70 sons of his body born because he had many women.^8:31 And his concubine that was in Shechem, she also gendered him a son, whose name he called Abimelech.^8:32 And Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age, and was buried in the grave of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.^8:33 And it came about, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and committed fornication after Baalim, and made Baalberith their elohim.^8:34 And the children of Israel remembered not YHWH Elohim, who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side.^8:35 Neither showed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely Gideon, according to all the goodness that he had showed to Israel.

9:1 And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem to his mother's brothers, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother's father saying,^9:2 speak I ask of you in the ears of all the men of Shechem, which is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, that are 70 people, reign over you, or that one reigns over you? remember also that I am your flesh and bone.^9:3 And his mother's kinsmen 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 70 shekels [1 3/4 pounds] of silver out of the house of Baalberith, with which Abimelech hired vain and reckless persons that followed him.^9:5 And he went to his dad's house at Ophrah, and killed his kinsmen the sons of Jerubbaal, being 70 people upon one stone^: but Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left because he hid himself.^9:6 And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem.^9:7 And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of Mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, cried and said to them, listen to me you men of Shechem, that Elohim may listen to you.^9:8 The trees went out at a time to anoint a king over them; and they said to the olive tree, you reign over us.^9:9 But the olive tree said to them, should I leave my fatness, with which by me they honor Elohim and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? ^9:10 And the trees said to the fig tree, you come and reign over us.^9:11 But the fig tree said to them, should I forsake my sweetness and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?^9:12 Then said the trees to the vine, you come and reign over us.^9:13 And the vine said to them, should I leave my wine that cheers Elohim and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?^9:14 Then said all the trees to the bramble, you come and reign over us.^9:15 And the bramble said to the trees, if in truth you anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow^: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.^9:16 Now therefore, if you have done truly and sincerely, in that you have made Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done to him according to the deserving of his hands;^9:17 (For my dad fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian^:9:18 And you are risen up against my dad's house this day, and have killed his sons, 70 people, upon one stone and have made Abimelech, the son of his female slave, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;)^9:19 If you then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice you in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you^:9:20 But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.^9:21 Then Jotham ran away and escaped and went to Beer, and lived there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.^9:22 When Abimelech had reigned 3 years over Israel,^9:23 then Elohim sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech.^9:24 That the cruelty done to the 70 sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother that killed them; and upon the men of Shechem, which aided him in the killing of his kinsmen.^9:25 And the men of Shechem set men in ambush for him in the top of the mountains, and they robbed all that came along that way by them^: and it was told Abimelech.^9:26 And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his kinsmen, and went over to Shechem^: and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him.^9:27 And they went out into the fields and gathered their vineyards, and treaded the grapes, and made merry, and went into the house of their elohim, 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 him? is not he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem, because why should we serve him? ^9:29 If only this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, increase your army and come out.^9:30 And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his nostrils flared.^9:31 And he sent messengers to Abimelech privately saying, see, Gaal the son of Ebed and his kinsmen are come to Shechem; and look, they fortify the city against you.^9:32 Now therefore get up by night, you and the people that are with you, and lie in wait in the field^:9:33 And it will be that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, you will rise early and set upon the city. And lo, when he and the people that are with him come out against you, then you may do to them as you will find occasion.^9:34 And Abimelech got up, and all the people that were with him by night, and they waited in ambush against Shechem in 4 companies.^9:35 Then Gaal the son of Ebed went out and stood in the entering of the gate of the city^: and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, from their ambush.^9:36 And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, look, there come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul replied to him, you see the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.^9:37 Then Gaal spoke again and said, see there come people down by the middle of the land, and another company comes along by the plain of Meonenim.^9:38 Then Zebul said to him, where is now your mouth, in which you said, who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is not this the people that you have despised? go out I implore you now, and fight with them.^9:39 And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.^9:40 And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him and many were overthrown and wounded, even to the entering of the gate.^9:41 And Abimelech lived at Arumah^: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his kinsmen, that they should not live in Shechem.^9:42 And it came about on the next day that the people went out into the field, and they told Abimelech.^9:43 And he took the people and divided them into 3 companies, and waited in ambush in the field and looked, and lo, the people were come out of the city; and he rose up against them and attacked them.^9:44 Then Abimelech and the company that were with him, rushed forward and stood in the entering of the gate of the city^: and the two other companies ran upon all the people that were in the fields and killed them.^9:45 And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and killed the people that were there, and beat down the city and sowed it with salt.^9:46 And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that, they entered into the cellar of the house of the elohim Berith.^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 that were with him; and Abimelech took an ax in his hand. And cut down a bough from the trees and took it, and laid it on his shoulder and said to the people that were with him. What you have seen me do, hurry, and do the same as I have done.^9:49 And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough and followed Abimelech, and put them to the cellar, and set the cellar on fire upon them; so that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about 1000 men and women.^9:50 Then Abimelech went to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez and captured it.^9:51 But there was a strong tower within the city, and there fled all the men and women, and all from the city and locked it up, and all of them ascended to the top of the tower.^9:52 And Abimelech came to the tower and fought against it, and went hard to the door of the tower to burn it with fire.^9:53 And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech's head, and broke his skull.^9:54 Then he called quickly to the young man his armor-bearer, and said to him, draw your sword and kill me so that men say not of me, a woman killed 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 So Elohim rendered the wickedness of Abimelech that he did to his dad, in killing his 70 brothers.^9:57 And all the badness of the men of Shechem did Elohim render upon their heads^: and on them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.

10:1 And after Abimelech there arose to defend Israel Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar; and he lived in Shamir in Mount Ephraim.^10:2 And he judged Israel 23 years and died, and was buried in Shamir.^10:3 And after him arose Jair, a Gileadite, and judged Israel 22 years.^10:4 And he had 30 sons that rode on 30 male donkeys, and they had 30 cities that are called Havothjair to 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 did bad again in the sight of YHWH, and served Baalim and Ashtaroth, and the elohim of Syria, and the elohim of Zidon, and the elohim of Moab, and the elohim of the children of Ammon, and the elohim of the Philistines, and forsook YHWH and served him not.^10:7 And the anger of YHWH was burning against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines and into the hands of the children of Ammon.^10:8 And that year they vexed and oppressed the children of Israel^: 18 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 Moreover the children of Ammon passed over Jordan to fight also against Judah and against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim; so that Israel was exceedingly distressed.^10:10 And the children of Israel cried to YHWH saying, we have sinned against you, both because we have forsaken our Elohim, and also served Baalim.^10:11 And YHWH replied to the children of Israel, Did I not deliver you from the Egyptians and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines?^10:12 The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites and the Maonites did oppress you; and you cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand.^10:13 Still you have forsaken me, and served other elohim^: therefore I will deliver you no more.^10:14 Go and cry to the elohim that you have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your distress.^10:15 But the children of Israel replied to YHWH, we have sinned^: do you to us whatever seems good to you; deliver us only, we pray you this day.^10:16 And they put away the foreign elohim from among them, and served YHWH^: and his heart was grieved for the misery of Israel.^10:17 Then the children of Ammon were gathered together, and encamped in Gilead. And the children of Israel assembled themselves together, and encamped in Mizpeh.^10:18 And the people and chiefs of Gilead said one to another, what man is he that will begin to fight against the children of Ammon? he will 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 prostitute^: and Gilead gendered Jephthah.^11:2 And Gilead's woman gendered him sons; and his woman's sons grew up, and they thrust out Jephthah and said to him, you will not inherit in our dad's house because you are the son of a foreign woman.^11:3 Then Jephthah fled from his kinsmen and lived in the land of Tob^: and there were gathered worthless men to Jephthah that went out with him.^11:4 And it came to pass in process of time, that the children of Ammon made war against Israel.^11:5 And it was so, that when the children of Ammon made war against Israel, the Elders of Gilead went to bring Jephthah out of the land of Tob^:11:6 And they said to Jephthah, come and be our captain so that we may fight with the children of Ammon.^11:7 But Jephthah replied to the Elders of Gilead, did you not hate me and expel me out of my dad's house? and why are you come to me now when you are in trouble?^11:8 And the Elders of Gilead replied to Jephthah, therefore we turn again to you now so that you may go with us, and fight against the children of Ammon and be our chief over all the inhabitants of Gilead.^11:9 And Jephthah said to the Elders of Gilead, if you bring me home again to fight against the children of Ammon, and YHWH delivers them before me, will I be your chief? ^11:10 And the Elders of Gilead replied to Jephthah, YHWH be witness between us, if we do not so do according to your words.^11:11 Then Jephthah went with the Elders of Gilead, and the people made him chief and captain over them^: and Jephthah uttered all his words before YHWH in Mizpeh.^11:12 And Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the children of Ammon saying, what have you to do with me, that you are come against me to fight in my land? ^11:13 And the king of the children of Ammon answered to the messengers of Jephthah, because Israel took away my land when they came up out of Egypt, from Arnon even to Jabbok, and to Jordan^: now therefore restore those lands again peaceably.^11:14 But Jephthah sent messengers again to the king of the children of Ammon^:11:15 And said to him, thus says Jephthah, Israel did not take away the land of Moab, nor the land of the children of Ammon^:11:16 But when Israel came up from Egypt, and walked through the uninhabited places to the Red Sea, and came to Kadesh;^11:17 Then Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom saying, let me I ask you, pass through your land^: but the king of Edom would not listen. And in like manner they sent to the king of Moab^: but he would not consent, and Israel resided in Kadesh.^11:18 Then they went along through the uninhabited places, and skirted around the land of Edom and the land of Moab, and came by the east side of the land of Moab. And camped on the other side of Arnon, but came not within the border of Moab, because Arnon was on the border of Moab.^11:19 And Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, the king of Heshbon; and Israel said to him, let us pass we ask you, through your land into my region.^11:20 But Sihon did not trust Israel to pass through his territory^: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and camped in Jahaz and fought against Israel.^11:21 And YHWH Elohim of Israel delivered Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel and they attacked them^: so Israel possessed all the land of the Amorites, the inhabitants of that country.^11:22 And they possessed all the territory of the Amorites, from Arnon even to Jabbok, and from the uninhabited places even to Jordan.^11:23 So now YHWH Elohim of Israel has dispossessed the Amorites from before his people Israel, and should you now possess it?^11:24 Will you not possess what Chemosh your elohim gives you to possess? So whoever YHWH our Elohim will drive out from before us, that we will possess.^11:25 And now are you any better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab? did he ever strive against Israel, or did he ever fight against them,^11:26 while Israel lived in Heshbon and its towns, and in Aroer and its towns, and in all the cities that are along by the coasts of Arnon for 300 years? why therefore did you not recover them within that time?^11:27 Therefore I have not sinned against you, but you do me wrong to war against me^: YHWH the Judge be judge this day between the children of Israel and the children of Ammon.^11:28 But the king of the children of Ammon listened not to the words of Jephthah that he sent him.^11:29 Then the Spirit of YHWH came upon Jephthah, and he passed over Gilead and Manasseh, and passed over Mizpeh of Gilead, and from Mizpeh of Gilead he passed over to the children of Ammon.^11:30 And Jephthah vowed a vow to YHWH and said, if you will without fail deliver the children of Ammon into my hands,^11:31 then it will be that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, will certainly be YHWH's, and I will offer it up for a Burnt- Offering.^11:32 So Jephthah passed over to the children of Ammon to fight against them; and YHWH delivered them into his hands.^11:33 And he attacked them from Aroer, even until you come to Minnith, even 20 cities, and to the plain of the vineyards with a very great slaughter. So the children of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel.^11:34 And Jephthah came to Mizpeh to his house, and lo, his daughter came out to meet him with tambourine and with dancing^: and she was his only child, other than her he had neither son nor daughter.^11:35 And it came about, when he saw her, that he tore his clothes and said, alas, my daughter! you have brought me very low, and you are one of them that trouble me because I have opened my mouth to YHWH, and I cannot go back.^11:36 And she said to him, my dad, if you have opened your mouth to YHWH, do to me according to what has proceeded out of your mouth; forasmuch as YHWH has taken vengeance for you of your enemies, even of the children of Ammon.^11:37 But she said to her dad, let this thing be done for me^: leave me alone for two months, that I may go up and down upon the mountains, and weep bitterly for my virginity, I and my maidens.^11:38 And he said, go, and he sent her away for two months^: and she went with her maidens, and wept bitterly for her virginity upon the mountains.^11:39 And it came about at the end of two months, that she returned to her dad, who did with her according to his vow that he had vowed^: and she had sexual relations with no man. And it was a custom in Israel^11:40 that the daughters of Israel went yearly to recount the story of the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite 4 days in a year.

12:1 And the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together and went northward, and said to Jephthah, why did you pass over to fight against the children of Ammon, and did not call us to go with you? we will burn your house upon you with fire.^12:2 But Jephthah replied to them, I and my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon; and when I called you, you delivered me not out of their hands.^12:3 And when I saw that you delivered me not, I put my life in my hands and passed over against the children of Ammon, and YHWH delivered them into my hand^: therefore why are you then come up to me this day to fight against me?^12:4 Then Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead, and fought with Ephraim^: and the men of Gilead attacked Ephraim, because they said, you Gileadites are fugitives of Ephraim among the Ephraimites, and among the Manassites.^12:5 And the Gileadites took the passages of Jordan before the Ephraimites^: and it was so, that when those Ephraimites that were escaped said, let me go over; that the men of Gilead replied to him, are you an Ephraimite? If he said, no;^12:6 then they replied to him, say now "Shibboleth", but he said Sibboleth instead^: because he could not frame his words to pronounce it right. Then they took him and killed him at the passages of Jordan, and there fell at that time of the Ephraimites 42,000.^12:7 And Jephthah judged Israel 6 years. Then died Jephthah the Gileadite, and was buried in one of the cities of Gilead.^12:8 And after him Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel.^12:9 And he had 30 sons, and 30 daughters, whom he sent abroad, and took in 30 daughters from abroad for his sons. And he judged Israel 7 years.^12:10 Then Ibzan died and was buried at Bethlehem.^12:11 And after him Elon, a Zebulonite, judged Israel; and he judged Israel 10 years.^12:12 And Elon the Zebulonite died, and was buried in Aijalon in the country of Zebulun.^12:13 And after him Abdon the son of Hillel, a Pirathonite, judged Israel.^12:14 And he had 40 sons and 30 nephews, that rode on 70 male donkeys^: and he judged Israel 8 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 bad again in the sight of YHWH; and YHWH delivered them into the hand of the Philistines 40 years.^13:2 And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his woman was sterile, and gendered not.^13:3 And the Angel of YHWH appeared to the woman and said to her, See now, you are sterile and gender not^: but you will conceive and gender a son.^13:4 Now therefore observe, and drink no wine or strong drink, and do not eat anything unclean^:13:5 Because lo, you will conceive and gender a son; and no razor will come on his head because the child will be a Nazarite to Elohim from the womb^: and he will begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.^13:6 Then the woman came and told her husband saying, a servant of Elohim came to me, and his appearance was like the appearance of an Angel of Elohim, very dreadful^: but I asked him not from where he came, neither did he tell me his name^:13:7 But he said to me, See, you will conceive and gender a son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat anything unclean because the child will be a Nazarite to Elohim from the womb to the day of his death.^13:8 Then Manoah prayed to YHWH and said, O my Adonai, let the servant of Elohim that you did send come again to us, and teach us what we will do to the child that will be born.^13:9 And Elohim listened to the voice of Manoah; and the Angel of Elohim came again to the woman as she sat in the field, but Manoah her husband was not with her.^13:10 And the woman quickly hurried and ran, and showed her husband and said to him, look, the servant has appeared to me, that came to me the other day.^13:11 And Manoah got up, and followed his woman and came to the servant and said to him, are you the servant that spoke to the woman? And he replied, I am.^13:12 Then Manoah said, now let your words come to pass, what is the custom of the youth and his work?^13:13 And the Angel of YHWH replied to Manoah, Of all that I said to the woman let her observe.^13:14 She may not eat of anything that comes of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat anything unclean^: all that I commanded her let her observe.^13:15 And Manoah replied to the Angel of YHWH, I ask you, let us detain you until we will have prepared a young male goat for you.^13:16 And the Angel of YHWH replied to Manoah, Though you detain me, I will not eat of your bread^: and if you will offer a Burnt-Offering, you must offer it to YHWH. Because Manoah knew not that he was an Angel of YHWH.^13:17 So Manoah said to the Angel of YHWH, what is your name, that when your sayings come to pass we may do you honor?^13:18 And the Angel of YHWH replied to him, Why do you ask after my name, seeing it is incomprehensible?^13:19 So Manoah took a young male goat with a Grain-Offering, and offered it upon a rock to YHWH^: and the angel did wondrously; and Manoah and his woman looked on.^13:20 Because it came about, when the flame went up toward the sky from off the Altar, that the Angel of YHWH ascended in the flame of the Altar. And Manoah and his woman looked on it, and fell on their faces to the ground.^13:21 But the Angel of YHWH did no more appear to Manoah and to his woman. Then Manoah knew that he was an Angel of YHWH.^13:22 And Manoah said to his woman, we will certainly die, because we have seen Elohim.^13:23 But his woman replied to him, If YHWH were pleased to kill us he would not have received a Burnt-Offering and a Grain-Offering at our hands, neither would he have showed us all these things, nor would he have at this time told us such things as these.^13:24 And the woman gendered a son and called his name Samson, and the child grew, and YHWH blessed him.^13:25 And the Spirit of YHWH began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.

14:1 And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath from the daughters of the Philistines.^14:2 And he came up, and told his dad and his mother and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath from the daughters of the Philistines, now therefore get her for me to be my woman.^14:3 Then his dad and his mother replied to him, is there not a woman among the daughters of your kinsmen or among all my people, that you go to take a woman from the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said to his dad, get her for me because she pleases me well.^14:4 But his dad and his mother knew not that it was of YHWH, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines, because at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.^14:5 Then Samson went down, and his dad and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath^: and look, a young lion roared against him.^14:6 And the Spirit of YHWH came mightily upon him, and he tore it as he would have torn a young male goat, and he had nothing in his hands^: but he told not his dad or his mother what he had done.^14:7 And he went down and talked with the woman, and she pleased Samson well.^14:8 And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion^: and see, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcass of the lion.^14:9 And he took of it in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his dad and mother, and he gave to them and they did eat^: but he told them not that he had taken the honey out of the carcass of the lion.^14:10 So his dad went down to the woman and Samson made there a banquet, for so was the custom of the young men to do.^14:11 And it came about, when they saw him, that they brought 30 friends to be with him.^14:12 And Samson said to them, I will now put out a riddle to you, if you can certainly declare it to me within the 7 days of the banquet, and find it out, then I will give you 30 sheets and 30 changes of clothing.^14:13 But if you cannot declare it to me, then you will give me 30 sheets and 30 change of clothing. And they said to him, put forward your riddle so that we may hear it.^14:14 And he replied to them, out of the eater came forth food, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. But they could not in 3 days make known the riddle.^14:15 And it came about on the 7th day, that they said to Samson's woman, entice your husband so that he may declare to us the riddle, unless we burn you and your dad's house with fire, have you called us to take what we have? is it not so?^14:16 Then Samson's woman wept before him and said, you do but hate me and do not love me. you have put forth a riddle to the children of my people, and have not told it to me. And he replied to her, look, I have not told it to my dad nor my mother, and will I tell it to you?^14:17 And she wept before him all the 7 days, while their banquet lasted and it came about on the 7th day that he told her, because she laid sore into him^: and she told the riddle to the children of her people.^14:18 Then the men of the city said to him on the 7th day before the sun went down, what is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? And he replied to them, if you had not plowed with my heifer, you would not have found out my riddle.^14:19 And the Spirit of YHWH came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and killed 30 men of them and took their plunder, and gave changes of clothing to them that made known the riddle. Then his anger burned and he withdrew to his dad's house.^14:20 But Samson's woman was given to his companion who had been as his friend.

15:1 But it came about around the time of wheat harvest that Samson visited his woman and brought a young male goat; and he said, I will go into my woman to the bedroom. But her dad would not permit him to go in.^15:2 But her dad said, I truly thought that you had utterly hated her; therefore I gave her to your companion^: is not her younger sister prettier than she is? take her, I ask of you, instead of her.^15:3 And Samson said concerning them, now will I be more blameless than the Philistines, though I do them a displeasure.^15:4 And Samson went and caught 300 foxes, and took firebrands, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the middle between two tails.^15:5 And when he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burned up both the shocks, and also the standing corn, with the vineyards and olives.^15:6 Then the Philistines said, who has done this? And they answered, Samson, the son in law of the Timnite, because he had taken his woman and given her to his companion. Then the Philistines came up, and burned her and her dad with fire.^15:7 And Samson said to them, though you have done this, still I will be avenged of you, and after that I will stop.^15:8 And he attacked them hip and thigh with a great slaughter^: and he went down and lived in the top of the Etam cliff.^15:9 Then the Philistines went up, and camped in Judah, and spread themselves in Lehi.^15:10 And the men of Judah said, why are you come up against us? And they answered, to bind Samson we have come, to do to him as he has done to us.^15:11 Then 3000 men of Judah went to the top of the Etam cliff and said to Samson, don't you know that the Philistines are rulers over us? what is this that you have done to us? And he replied to them, as they did to me, so have I done to them.^15:12 And they said to him, we are come down to bind you so that we may deliver you into the hand of the Philistines. And Samson said to them, promise me that you will not fall upon me yourselves.^15:13 And they spoke to him saying, no; but we will bind you securely, and deliver you into their hands^: but certainly we will not kill you. And they bound him with two new cords, and brought him up from the rock.^15:14 And when he came to Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him^: and the Spirit of YHWH came mightily upon him, and the cords that were on his arms became as flax that was burned with fire, and his ropes loosened from off his hands.^15:15 And he found a new jawbone of a donkey, and put out his hand and took it, and killed 1000 men with it.^15:16 And Samson said, with the jawbone of a donkey, heaps upon heaps, with the jaw of a donkey I have killed 1000 men.^15:17 And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking, that he cast away the jawbone out of his hand, and called that place Ramathlehi (height of a jawbone).^15:18 And he was extremely thirsty, and called on YHWH and said, you have given this great deliverance into the hand of your slave^: and now I will die for thirst, and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?^15:19 But Elohim split a hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water out of it; and when he had drunk, his vigor returned and he revived^: therefore he called the name of it Enhakkore (spring of one calling), which is in Lehi to this day.^15:20 And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines 20 years.

16:1 Then Samson went to Gaza and saw there a prostitute and went in unto her.^16:2 And it was told the Gazites saying, Samson has come here. And they boxed him in and laid in ambush for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all that night saying, in the morning, when it is day we will kill him.^16:3 And Samson rested until midnight, and got up at midnight and took the doors of the gate of the city, and its two posts. He went away with them, bars and all, and put them on his shoulders and carried them up to the top of a hill that is before Hebron.^16:4 And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.^16:5 And the lords of the Philistines came up to her, and said to her, entice him and see where his great strength comes from, and by what means we may prevail against him. Then we may bind him to afflict him^: and we will give you from everyone of us 1,100 shekels of silver [28 pounds].^16:6 And Delilah said to Samson, tell me I ask you, where does your great strength come from, and how might you be bound to afflict you.^16:7 And Samson replied to her, if they bind me with 7 green remnants that were never dried, then I will become weak and be as any other man.^16:8 Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her 7 green remnants that had not been dried, and she bound him with them.^16:9 Now there were men lying in ambush, staying with her in the room. And she said to him, the Philistines are upon you, Samson. And he broke the remnants, as a thread of flax is broken when it touches the fire. So his strength was not revealed.^16:10 Then Delilah said to Samson, look, you have mocked me and told me lies^: now tell me, I ask you, how might you be bound.^16:11 He replied to her, if they bind me securely with new ropes that never were occupied, then I will be weak, and be as any other man.^16:12 Delilah therefore took new ropes, and bound him with them and said to him, the Philistines are upon you Samson. And there were people in ambush staying in the room. But he broke them from off his arms like a thread.^16:13 And Delilah said to Samson, now you have mocked me and told me lies^: tell me how you might be bound. And he replied to her, if you weave the 7 locks of my head with the loom.^16:14 And she fastened it with the pin, and said to him, the Philistines are upon you Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and went away with the pin of the beam, and with the loom.^16:15 And she said to him, how can you say I love you, when your heart is not with me? you have mocked me these 3 times, and have not told me where your great strength comes from.^16:16 And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words and urged him so that his emotions were vexed to death;^16:17 that he told her all his heart and said to her, there has not come a razor upon my head because I have been a Nazarite to Elohim from my mother's womb. If I am shaved, then my strength will go from me and I will become weak and be like any other man.^16:18 And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines saying, come up this once, because he has showed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up to her and brought money in their hand.^16:19 And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a servant, and she caused him to shave off the 7 locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him.^16:20 And she said, the Philistines are upon you Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he knew not that YHWH was departed from him.^16:21 But the Philistines took him and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.^16:22 But the hair of his head began to grow back again after he was shaved.^16:23 Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for offering a great sacrifice to Dagon their elohim and to rejoice, because they said, our elohim has delivered Samson our enemy into our hands.^16:24 And when the people saw him, they praised their elohim^: for they said, our elohim has delivered into our hands our enemy, and the destroyer of our country that killed many of us.^16:25 And it came about, when their hearts were merry, that they said, call for Samson so that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison house; and he made them sport, and they set him between the pillars.^16:26 And Samson said to the boy that held him by the hand, permit me that I may feel the pillars where the house stands on, that I may lean upon them.^16:27 Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were on the roof about 3000 men and women, that watched while Samson was made mocking sport of.^16:28 Then Samson called to YHWH and said, O Adonai YHWH, remember me, I pray you and strengthen me, I pray you, only this once O Elohim, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.^16:29 And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was supported, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left.^16:30 And Samson said, let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell on the lords, and upon all the people that were there. So the dead that he executed at his death were more than those that he killed in his lifetime.^16:31 Then his kinsmen and all the house of his father came down and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the grave of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel 20 years.

17:1 And there was a man of Mount Ephraim, whose name was Micah.^17:2 And he said to his mother, the 1,100 shekels of silver [28 pounds] that were taken from you, about which you cursed and spoke of also in my ears, look, the silver is with me; I took it. And his mother replied, blessed are you of YHWH my son.^17:3 And when he had restored the 1,100 shekels of silver [28 pounds] to his mother, his mother said, I had consecrated the silver to YHWH from my hand for my son, to make an idol and a cast metal image^: now therefore I will restore it to you.^17:4 Still he restored the money to his mother; and his mother took 200 shekels [5 pounds] of silver, and gave them to the founder, who made from it an idol and a cast metal image^: and they were in the house of Micah.^17:5 And the man Micah had a house of elohim and made an ephod, and teraphim [surrogate Urim-Thummim], and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest.^17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel, but everyone did what was right in his own eyes.^17:7 And there was a young man out of Bethlehemjudah of the family of Judah, who was a Levite, and he traveled there.^17:8 And the man departed out of the city from Bethlehemjudah to travel where he could find a place^: and he came to Mount Ephraim to the house of Micah, as he journeyed.^17:9 And Micah said to him, where do you come from? And he replied to him, I am a Levite from Bethlehemjudah, and I go to travel where I may find a place.^17:10 And Micah said to him, live with me and be to me a father and a priest, and I will give you 10 shekels of silver [4 ounces] by the year, and a suit of apparel and your provisions. So the Levite went in.^17:11 And the Levite was content to live with the man, and the young man was to him as one of his sons.^17:12 And Micah consecrated the Levite, and the young man became his priest and was in the house of Micah.^17:13 Then Micah said, now I know that YHWH will do me good, seeing I have a Levite to my priest.

18:1 In those days there was no king in Israel, and in those days the tribe of the Danites desired themselves an inheritance to live in; for up to that time all their inheritance had not fallen to them from among the tribes of Israel.^18:2 And the children of Dan sent from their family 5 men from their coasts, men of valor, from Zorah and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land and to search it. And they said to them, go, search the land^: and they came into the hill country of Ephraim, to the house of Micah and lodged there.^18:3 When they were by the house of Micah, they recognized the voice of the young man the Levite^: and they turned in there and said to him, who brought you here? and what are you in this place for? and what do you do? ^18:4 And he replied to them, this and that has Micah dealt with me, and has hired me and I am his priest.^18:5 And they said to him, inquire [by Urim- Thummim], we ask you, of Elohim so that we may know whether our journey that we go will be prosperous.^18:6 And the priest replied to them, go and prosper^: before YHWH is your journey on which you go.^18:7 Then the 5 men left and came to Laish and saw the people that were there, how they lived carelessly after the manner of the Zidonians, quiet and secure; and there was no occupying authority in the land that might put them to be confounded in anything. And they were far from the Zidonians, and had no business with anyone.^18:8 And they came to their kinsmen to Zorah and Eshtaol^: and their kinsmen said to them, what do you have to say?^18:9 And they said, rise, and we will go up against them, because we have seen the land, and lo, very good; and you are keeping silent! be not slothful to go, to enter to possess the land.^18:10 When you go, you will come to a people secure and to a large land, because Elohim has given it into your hands; a place where there is no want of anything that is in the earth.^18:11 And there went from there from the family of the Danites, out of Zorah and out of Eshtaol, 600 men girded with weapons of war.^18:12 And they went up and camped in Kirjathjearim, in Judah^: therefore they called that place Mahanehdan to this day^: see, it is behind Kirjathjearim.^18:13 And they passed there to Mount Ephraim and came to the house of Micah.^18:14 Then answered the 5 men that went to spy out the country of Laish, and said to their kinsmen, do you know that there is in this house an ephod, teraphim [surrogate Urim-Thummim], and an idol and a cast metal image? now therefore consider what you have to do.^18:15 And they turned in there, and came to the house of the young man the Levite, even to the house of Micah and saluted him.^18:16 And the 600 men girded with their weapons of war that were of the children of Dan, stood by the entrance of the gate.^18:17 And the 5 men that went to spy out the land went up and came in there, and took the idol, and the ephod, and teraphim [surrogate Urim-Thummim], and the cast metal image. And the priest stood in the entrance of the gate with the 600 men that were girded with weapons of war.^18:18 And these went into Micah's house and seized the idol, the ephod and teraphim [surrogate Urim-Thummim], and the cast metal image. Then the priest said to them, what are you doing?^18:19 And they said to him, hold your peace, lay your hand on your mouth and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest. Is it better for you to be a priest to the house of one man, or that you are a priest to a tribe and a family in Israel?^18:20 And the priest's heart was gladdened, and he took the ephod and teraphim [surrogate Urim-Thummim], and the idol, and went in the midst of the people.^18:21 So they turned and departed, and put the children and the cattle and their goods in front of them.^18:22 And when they were a good ways from the house of Micah, the men that were in the houses near to Micah's house were gathered together, and overtook the children of Dan.^18:23 And they cried to the children of Dan. And they turned their faces and said to Micah, what bothers you, that you come with such a company?^18:24 And he replied, you have taken away my elohim that I fashioned, and the priest and you are gone away^: and what have I more? and what is this that you say to me, what troubles you? ^18:25 And the children of Dan replied to him, let not your voice be heard among us again, unless angry men run upon you and you lose your life, with the lives of your household.^18:26 And the children of Dan went their way^: and when Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back to his house.^18:27 And they seized the things that Micah had fashioned, and the priest that he had, and came to Laish, to a people that were at peace and secure^: and they attacked them with the edge of the sword, and burned the city with fire.^18:28 And there was no deliverer, because it was far from Zidon, and they had no business with anyone; and it was in the valley that lies by Bethrehob. And they built a city and lived there.^18:29 And they called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their forefather, who was gendered to Israel^: But the name of the city before that was Laish.^18:30 And the children of Dan set up the idol^: 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 removal of the people from the land.^18:31 And they set them up Micah's idol that he fashioned, all the time that the House of Elohim 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 traveling on the side of Mount Ephraim, who took to himself a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah.^19:2 And his concubine played the whore against him, and went away from him to her dad's house to Bethlehemjudah, and was there 4 whole months.^19:3 And her husband got up and went after her, to speak friendly to her and to bring her back, having his slave with him and a couple of donkeys. And she brought him into her dad's house, and when the father of the girl saw him, he rejoiced to meet him.^19:4 And his father in law, the girl's dad, retained him; and he stayed with him three days, and so they did eat and drink and lodged there.^19:5 And it came about on the 4th day, when they arose early in the morning, that he got up to leave, and the girl's dad said to his son in law, comfort your heart with a morsel of bread and afterward go your way.^19:6 And they sat down, and did eat and drink both of them together, because the girl's dad had said to the man, be content I ask you and stay all night, and let your heart be merry.^19:7 And when the man got up to leave, his father in law urged him, therefore he lodged there again.^19:8 And he got up early in the morning on the 5th day to leave and the girl's dad said, comfort your heart I ask you. And they stayed until afternoon, and they did eat, the both of them.^19:9 And when the man got up to leave, he and his concubine and his slave, his father in law, the girl's dad, said to him, look, now the day draws toward evening, I urge you to stay all night. See, the day grows to an end, lodge here so that your heart may be merry; and tomorrow get yourself off early on your way, that you may go home.^19:10 But the man would not stay that night, but he got up and left and came toward Jebus, which is Jerusalem; and there were with him two donkeys saddled, his concubine also was with him.^19:11 And when they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the slave said to his master, come I ask you, and let us turn in into this city of the Jebusites and lodge in it.^19:12 And his master said to him, we will not turn aside here into the city of a foreigner, that is not of the children of Israel, we will pass over to Gibeah.^19:13 And he said to his slave, come and let us draw near to one of these places to lodge all night, in Gibeah or in Ramah.^19:14 And they passed on and went their way and the sun went down upon them when they were by Gibeah, that belongs to Benjamin.^19:15 And they turned aside there to go in and to lodge in Gibeah, and when he went in he sat himself down in a street of the city, because there was no man that took them into his house to lodge.^19:16 And look, there came an old man from his work out of the field at sunset, which was also from Mount Ephraim, and he lived in Gibeah^: but the men of the locality were Benjamites.^19:17 And when he had lifted up his eyes, he saw a wayfaring man in the street of the city, and the old man said, where are you going and where do you come from?^19:18 And he replied to him, we are passing over from Beth-Lehem-Judah to the sides of the hill-country of Ephraim, I come from there, and I go to Beth-Lehem-Judah; and to the House of YHWH I am going, and there is none taking me into their house.^19:19 Still there is both straw and provender for our donkeys, and there is bread and wine also for me and for your concubine, and for the young man that is with your slaves, there is no lack of anything.^19:20 And the old man replied, peace be with you; however let all you needs lie upon me; only do not lodge in the street.^19:21 So he brought him into his house, and gave feed to the donkeys^: and they washed their feet and did eat and drink.^19:22 Now as they were making their hearts merry, lo, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial (worthless and base), beset the house all around, and beat at the door and spoke to the master of the house, the old man saying, bring out the man that came into your house so that we may have sexual relations with him.^19:23 And the man, the master of the house, went out to them and said to them, no, my kinsmen, no, I ask you, do not so wickedly; seeing that this man has come into my house, do not this disgraceful folly.^19:24 Look, here is my daughter a virgin, and his concubine; them I will bring out now, and you can mishandle them, and do with them what's good to your lustful eyes, but to this man do not do such a profane immorality.^19:25 But the men would not listen to him^: so the man took his concubine and brought her out to them; and they had sex with her, and abused her all that night until the morning, and when the day began to dawn, they let her go.^19:26 Then the woman came in at sunrise, and fell down at the door of the man's house where her master was, until it was light.^19:27 And her master got up in the morning, and opened the doors of the house, and went out to go his way, and lo, the woman his concubine was fallen down at the door of the house, and her hands were upon the threshold.^19:28 And he said to her, up, and let us be going, but there was no answer. Then the man took and placed her on the donkey, and the man got up and traveled to his place.^19:29 And when he was come into his house, he took a knife and laid hold on his concubine, and divided her together with her bones, into 12 pieces, and sent her into all the territories of Israel.^19:30 And it was so, that all that saw it said, there was no such deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt to this day^: consider this, take advice and speak your minds.

20:1 Then all the children of Israel went out and the company was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beersheba, with the land of Gilead, to YHWH in Mizpeh (a place in Gilead).^20:2 And the chiefs of all the people, even of all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the gathering of the people of Elohim, 400,000 footmen that drew sword.^20:3 (Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpeh.) Then the children of Israel said, tell us, how did this wickedness come about?^20:4 And the Levite, the husband of the woman that was killed, answered and said, I came into Gibeah that belongs to Benjamin, I and my concubine to lodge.^20:5 And the men of Gibeah rose against me, and beset the house all around upon me by night, and thought to have me killed, and my concubine they raped and she has died.^20:6 And I took my concubine and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel, because they have committed lewdness and profane actions in Israel.^20:7 See, you are all children of Israel, give here your advice and counsel.^20:8 And all the people arose as one man saying, we will not any of us go to his tent, neither will any of us return into their homes^20:9 But now this will be the thing that we will do to Gibeah, we will go up by lot against it. ^20:10 And we will take 10 men out of 100 throughout all the tribes of Israel, and 100 out of 1000, and 1000 out of 10,000, to get provisions for the people. Then will do, at their coming to Gibeah of Benjamin, according to all the profane actions that it has done in Israel.^20:11 So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man.^20:12 And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin saying, what wickedness is this that is done among you?^20:13 Now therefore deliver to us the men, the children of Belial that are in Gibeah so that we may put them to death, and put away badness from Israel. But the children of Benjamin would not listen to the voice of their kinsmen the children of Israel.^20:14 But the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities to Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel.^20:15 And the children of Benjamin were numbered at that time out of the cities 26,000 men that drew sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah, which were numbered 700 chosen men.^20:16 Among all this people there were 700 chosen men left-handed; everyone could sling stones at an hairs breadth, and not miss.^20:17 And the men of Israel, besides Benjamin, were numbered 400,000 men that drew sword^: all these were men of war.^20:18 And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the House of Elohim, and inquired [by Urim-Thummim] of Elohim and asked, which of us will go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And YHWH replied, Judah will go up first.^20:19 And the children of Israel got up in the morning, and encamped against Gibeah.^20:20 And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin; and the men of Israel put themselves in formation to fight against them at Gibeah.^20:21 And the children of Benjamin came out of Gibeah, and destroyed down to the ground from the Israelites that day 22,000 men.^20:22 And the people the men of Israel encouraged themselves, and set their battle again in formation in the area where they put themselves in formation the first day.^20:23 (And the children of Israel went up and wept before YHWH until sunset, and inquired [by Urim- Thummim] of YHWH saying, will I go up again to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother? And YHWH replied, Go up against him.)^20:24 And the children of Israel came near against the children of Benjamin the 2nd day.^20:25 And Benjamin went out against them from Gibeah the 2nd day, and destroyed down to the ground of the children of Israel again 18,000 men; all these drew the sword.^20:26 Then all the children of Israel and all the people went up, and came to the House of Elohim and wept, and sat there before YHWH, and fasted that day until sunset, and offered Burnt-Offerings and Peace-Offerings before YHWH.^20:27 And the children of Israel inquired [by Urim-Thummim] of YHWH, (for the Ark of the Covenant of Elohim was there in those days,^20:28 And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days) saying, will I still again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or will I stop? And YHWH replied, Go up; because tomorrow I will deliver them into your hand.^20:29 And Israel set am ambush around Gibeah.^20:30 And the children of Israel went up against the children of Benjamin on the 3rd day, and put themselves in formation against Gibeah, as at other times.^20:31 Then the Benjamites came out to meet them and were drawn away from the city. They began to attack the Israelites as before so that around 30 men fell in the open field and on the roadways, one leading to Bethel and the other to Gibeah.^20:32 And the children of Benjamin said, they are struck down before us, as at the first. But the children of Israel said, let us flee and draw them from the city to the highways.^20:33 And all the men of Israel rose up out of their place and put themselves in formation at Baaltamar^: and those in ambush from Israel came out of their hiding places, even out of the meadows of Gibeah.^20:34 And there came against Gibeah 10,000 chosen men out of all Israel, and the battle was hard^: but they knew not that calamity was near them.^20:35 And YHWH attacked Benjamin before Israel^: and the children of Israel destroyed of the Benjamites that day 25,100 men^: all these drew the sword.^20:36 So the children of Benjamin saw that they were beaten, because the men of Israel gave place to the Benjamites, because they trusted in those in ambush that they had set beside Gibeah.^20:37 And those in ambush hurried and rushed upon Gibeah; and those who ambushed drew themselves along, and attacked all the city with the edge of the sword.^20:38 Now there was an appointed sign between the men of Israel and those in ambush, that they should make a great flame with smoke arising up out of the city.^20:39 And when the men of Israel retired in the battle, Benjamin began to attack and kill of the men of Israel about 30 people^: for they said, certainly they are struck down before us, like in the first battle.^20:40 But when the flames began to arise up out of the city with a pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them, and lo, the flames of the city ascended up to the skies.^20:41 And when the men of Israel turned again, the men of Benjamin were amazed^: for they saw that calamity had come upon them.^20:42 Therefore they turned their backs before the men of Israel to the way of the wilderness; and the battle has followed them; and those who are from the city are destroying them in their midst;^20:43 So they encircled the Benjamites all around and chased them, and beat them down with ease opposite Gibeah toward the sunrising.^20:44 And there fell of Benjamin 18,000 men; all these were men of valor.^20:45 And they turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon^: and they dealt severely with them in the highways 5000 men; and pursued hard after them to Gidom, and killed 2000 men of them.^20:46 So that all that fell that day from Benjamin were 25,000 men that drew the sword; all these were men of valor.^20:47 But 600 men turned and escaped to the wilderness to the rock Rimmon, and stayed in the rock Rimmon 4 months.^20:48 And the men of Israel turned again upon the children of Benjamin, and attacked them with the edge of the sword, as well the men from every city, as the beast, and all that came to hand, also they set on fire all the cities that they came to.

21:1 Now the men of Israel had adjured in Mizpeh saying, there will not any of us give his daughter to Benjamin for a woman.^21:2 And the people came to the House of Elohim, and stayed there until sunset before Elohim, and lifted up their voices, and wept greatly;^21:3 And said, O YHWH Elohim of Israel, why is this come to pass in Israel, that there should be today one tribe lacking in Israel? ^21:4 And it came to pass on the next day that the people rose early and built there an Altar, and offered Burnt- Offerings and Peace-Offerings.^21:5 And the children of Israel said, who is there among all the tribes of Israel that came not up with the company to YHWH? Because they had made a great oath concerning those that came not up to YHWH in Mizpeh saying, they will certainly be put to death.^21:6 And the children of Israel were sorry for them of Benjamin their brother and said, there is one tribe cut off from Israel this day.^21:7 How will we do for women for them that remain, seeing we have adjured by YHWH that we will not give them of our daughters for wives?^21:8 And they said, what one is there from the tribes of Israel that came not up to Mizpeh to YHWH? And see, there came none to the camp from Jabeshgilead to the company.^21:9 Because the people were numbered, and see, there were none of the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead there.^21:10 And the company sent there 12,000 men of valor and commanded them saying, go and attack the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead with the edge of the sword, with the women and the children.^21:11 And this is the thing that you will do, you will Devote to Destruction every male, and every woman that has had sexual relations by man.^21:12 And they found among the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead 400 young virgins, that had not had sexual relations with any man^: and they brought them to the camp to Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan.^21:13 And the whole company sent some to speak to the children of Benjamin that were in the rock Rimmon, and to call peaceably to them.^21:14 And Benjamin came back at that time; and they gave them the women that they had saved alive from the women of Jabeshgilead, but there were still not enough for them.^21:15 And the people were sorry for them of Benjamin, because that YHWH had made a breach in the tribes of Israel.^21:16 Then the Elders of the company said, how will we do for women for them that remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?^21:17 And they said, there must be an inheritance for them that are escaped of Benjamin so that a tribe is not destroyed out of Israel.^21:18 But we may not give them women of our daughters, because the children of Israel have adjured saying, cursed is he that gives a woman to Benjamin.^21:19 Then they said, look, there is a festival of YHWH in Shiloh yearly in an area that is on the north side of Bethel, on the east side of the highway that goes up from Bethel to Shechem, and on the south of Lebonah.^21:20 Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin saying, go and lie in wait in the vineyards;^21:21 And watch and observe, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in dances, then come you out of the vineyards, and catch you every man his woman from the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin.^21:22 And it will be, when their fathers or their kinsmen come to us to complain, that we will say to them, be favorable to them for our sakes. Because we reserved not to each man his wife in the war, because you did not give to them at this time, that you should be guilty.^21:23 And the children of Benjamin did so, and took them women, according to their number, of them that danced, whom they caught^: and they went and returned to their inheritance and repaired the cities, and lived in them.^21:24 And the children of Israel left from there at that time, every man to his tribe and to his family, and they went out from there every man back to his inheritance.^21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel, everyone did what was right in their own eyes.

Copyright 2001 Dallas E. James