But, unto the sons of Aaron the priest, gave they the city of refuge for the manslayer, even Hebron, with the pasture lands thereof, - Libnah also, with her pasture lands;

So they gave unto them a city of refuge for the manslayer, even Shechem with her pasture land, in the hill country of Ephraim, - also Gezer, with her pasture land;

So Yahweh gave unto Israel, all the land which he had sworn to give unto their fathers, - and they took possession thereof, and dwelt therein.

So Joshua blessed them, - and sent them away, and they took their journey unto their homes.

So the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh. returned and departed from the sons of Israel, from Shiloh, which was in the land of Canaan, - to go unto the land of Gilead, unto the land of their possession, wherein they had received their possessions, at the bidding of Yahweh by the hand of Moses.

And, when they came into the circles of the Jordan, which were in the land of Canaan, - then did the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh build there an altar by the Jordan, an altar of large dimensions,

and ten princes with him, one prince of an ancestral house for each of the tribes of Israel, - they being, severally heads of their ancestral houses, among the thousands of Israel.

So they came in unto the sons of Reuben and unto the sons of Gad and unto the half tribe of Manasseh, within the land of Gilead, - and spake with them, saying:

Therefore said we, And it shall be, when they so say to us, or to our generations, in time to come, - that we will say - Behold ye the pattern of the altar of Yahweh, which our fathers made, not for ascending-offerings nor for sacrifice, but that, a witness, it might be between us and you.

But, if ye, do in any wise turn back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, these which remain with you, - and intermarry with them, and go in with them, and, they, with you;

know, that Yahweh your God will no further drive out these nations from before you, - but they will become unto you a snare and a hook, and a goad in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye have perished from off this goodly soil, which Yahweh your God hath given unto you.

And Joshua gathered together all the tribes of Israel, unto Shechem, - and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and they presented themselves before God.

Then said Joshua unto all the people - Thus, saith Yahweh, God of Israel, Beyond the River, dwelt your fathers from age-past times, unto Terah, father of Abraham, and father of Nahor, - and they served other gods.

So they made outcry unto Yahweh, and he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought in upon them the sea, and covered them, - and your eyes beheld what I did with the Egyptians. And, when ye had remained in the desert many days,

then I brought you into the land of the Amorites, who were dwelling over the Jordan, and they fought with you, - then delivered I them into your hand, and ye took possession of their land, so I destroyed them from before you.

Then passed ye over the Jordan, and came in unto Jericho, and, when they would have made war with you - even the lords of Jericho - the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Girgashite, the Hivite and the Jebusite, then delivered I them into your hand.

Then said Joshua unto the people - Witnesses, are ye, against yourselves, that, ye yourselves, have chosen you Yahweh, to serve him. And they said: Witnesses!

And they buried him within the bounds of his own inheritance, in Timnath-serah, which is in the hill country of Ephraim, on the north of Mount Gaash.

And, the bones of Joseph - which the sons of Israel had brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in the portion of field, which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor, father of Shechem, for a hundred pieces of money, - and they belonged unto the sons of Joseph, as an inheritance.

And, Eleazar son of Aaron, died, - and they buried him in the hill of Phinehas his son, which was given to him, in the hill country of Ephraim.

And Judah went up, and Yahweh delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand, - and they smote them in Bezek, ten thousand men.

And they found Adoni-bezek in Bezek, and fought with him, - and smote the Canaanites and the Perizzites.

But Adoni-bezek fled, and they pursued him, - and took him, and cut off his thumbs, and his great toes.

Then said Adoni-bezek - Seventy kings, with their thumbs and great toes cut off, have been picking up crumbs under my table, as I have done, so, hath God requited me. And they brought him into Jerusalem, and he died there.

And the sons of Judah made war upon Jerusalem, and captured it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, - and, the city, they set on fire.

And Judah went against the Canaanites who were dwelling in Hebron, now, the name of Hebron, formerly, was Kiriath-arba, - and they smote Sheshai and Ahiman, and Talmai.

Now, the sons of the Kenite, father-in-law of Moses, had come up from the city of palm-trees, with the sons of Judah, into the wilderness of Judah, which is in the south of Arad, - so they went and dwelt with the people.

Then went Judah, with Simeon his brother, and they smote the Canaanites dwelling in Zephath, - and devoted it to destruction, and the name of the city was called Hormah.

And it same to pass that Yahweh was with Judah, and he took possession of the hill country, - but did not dispossess the inhabitants of the vale, because they had, chariots of iron.

So they gave unto Caleb Hebron, as spake Moses, - and he drave out from thence the three sons of Anak.

Then went up the house of Joseph - they also, - unto Bethel, - and, Yahweh, was with them.

So the watchers saw a man, coming forth from the city, - and they said unto him - Shew us, we pray thee, the way to get into the city, and we will deal with thee, in lovingkindness.

And he shewed them the way to get into the city, and they smote the city, with the edge of the sword, - but, the man and all his family, they let go.

when Israel, however, had waxed strong, they put the Canaanites under tribute, - though they, dispossessed, them not.

but the Asherites dwelt in the midst of the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land, - for they dispossessed them not.

Naphtali, dispossessed not the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh nor the inhabitants of Beth-anath, but they dwelt in the midst of the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land, - and, the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh, and of Beth-anath, became theirs, under tribute.

And the Amorites forced the sons of Dan into the hill country, - for they suffered them not to come down into the vale;

and, though the Amorites were determined to remain in the hill country of Heres, in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim, yet was the hand of the house of Joseph heavy, so that they came under tribute.

Wherefore also I said, I will not drive them out from before you, - but they shall be your adversaries, and, their gods, shall become unto you a snare.

So they called the name of that place, Bochim, and offered sacrifice there, unto Yahweh.

And they buried him within the bounds of his inheritance, in Timnath-heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, - on the north of Mount Gaash.

Yea, they forsook Yahweh, - and did service unto the Baal and unto Ashtaroth.

Then kindled the anger of Yahweh upon Israel, and he delivered them into the hand of spoilers, who plundered them, - and he sold them into the hand of their enemies round about, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies.

Whithersoever they went out, the hand of Yahweh was found to be against them for misfortune, as spake Yahweh, and as sware Yahweh unto them, - and they were distressed exceedingly.

yet, even unto their judges, did thy not hearken, for they went unchastely astray after other gods, and bowed themselves down to them, - they turned aside speedily out of the way wherein their fathers who hearkened unto the commandments of Yahweh, walked, they did not so.

But, when the judge was dead, they again broke faith more than their fathers, by going their way after other gods, by serving them, and bowing themselves down to them, - they ceased not from their doings nor from their stubborn way.

that I may, by them, put Israel to the proof, - whether they are going to be observant of the way of Yahweh, to walk therein as their fathers observed it, or not.

So then these were left , that, by them, he might put Israel to the proof, - to know whether they would hearken unto the commandments of Yahweh which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses.

and took their daughters to be their wives, their own daughters moreover, gave they unto their sons, and they served their gods.

And the sons of Israel again did the thing that was wicked, in the sight of Yahweh, - and Yahweh emboldened Eglon, king of Moab, against Israel, because they did the thing that was wicked in the sight of Yahweh;

When, he, had come out, his servants, went in, and looked, and lo! the doors of the parlour were bolted, - so they said, Surely he covereth his feet, in the summer chamber.

But, though they tarried a long time, yet lo! he opened not the doors of the parlour, - so they took the key, and opened them , when lo! their lord, fallen to the ground dead.

But, Ehud, escaped while they delayed, - yea, he, passed the images, and escaped into Seirah.

And he said unto them - Come down after me, for Yahweh hath delivered your enemies, the Moabites, into your hand. So they came down after him, and captured the fords of the Jordan, towards Moab, and suffered not a man to pass over.

And they smote of Moab, at that time, about ten thousand men, every one a mighty man, and every one a man of valour, - and, there escaped not a man.

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

And the hand of the sons of Israel went on, waxing more and more heavy upon Jabin king of Canaan, - until they had cut off Jabin king of Canaan.

They chose gods that were new, Then, - war at the gates! Was there, a shield, to be seen? or a spear? among forty thousand in Israel?

Out of Ephraim, came down they whose root was in Amalek, After thee, Benjamin, among thy tribes, - Out of Machir, had come down governors, And, out of Zebulun, such as bear aloft the staff of the marshal;

And, my princes in Issachar, were with Deborah, yea, Issachar, was the support of Barak, Into the vale rushed they forth at his feet. Among the divisions of Reuben, great were the resolves of the heart:

On came kings, they fought, Then, fought the kings of Canaan, In Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo, - Plunder of silver, they took not away!

Curse ye Meroz, saith the messenger of Yahweh, Curse ye with a curse, the inhabitants thereof, - because they came not in to the help of Yahweh, to the help of Yahweh, against the mighty.

Is it not They keep finding - dividing spoil, One damsel, two damsels, to every several hero, Spoil, of divers coloured raiment for Sisera, Spoil, of divers coloured raiment, embroidered, Coloured raiment richly embroidered, on the necks of them who are taken as spoil?

So, perish all thine enemies, O Yahweh, But be, they who love him, as the going forth of the sun, in his might! And the land had rest forty years.

and encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the land, until thou comest unto Gaza, - neither left they sustenance in Israel, nor sheep nor ox, nor ass;

for, they with their cattle, used to come up, with their tents - yea they used to come like locusts, for multitude, both they and their cattle, were without number, - so they came into the land, to lay it waste.

So they said, one to another, Who hath done this thing? And they inquired, and made search, and it was said, Gideon son of Joash, hath done this thing.

Now, all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the sons of the east, were gathered together, - and they crossed over and pitched in the vale of Jezreel.

Messengers also, sent he throughout all Manasseh, and, they also, were gathered after him, - messengers also, sent he throughout Asher, and throughout Zebulun, and throughout Naphtali, and they came up to meet them.

so shalt thou hear what they shall say, - and, afterward, shall thy hands grow strong, and thou shalt go down against the camp. Then went he down, he and Purah his young man, unto the outmost part of the armed men that were in the camp.

So Gideon came, and the hundred men that were with him, unto the outermost part of the camp, at the beginning of the middle watch, they had but, newly set, the watchers, - and they blew with the horns, and brake in pieces the pitchers, that were in their hand.

Yea the three companies blew with the horns, and shivered the pitchers, and caught hold - with their left hands - of the torches, while, in their right hands, were the horns, to blow with, - and they cried, A sword for Yahweh, and for Gideon!

And they stood still, every man in his place, round about the camp, - and all the host ran and shouted, and fled.

And they captured the two princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb, and slew Oreb at Oreb's Rock, and, Zeeb, they slew at Zeeb's Winepress, and pursued Midian, - and, the heads of Oreb and Zeeb, brought they in unto Gideon at the ford of the Jordan.

And the men of Ephraim said unto him - What is this thing thou hast done to us, in not calling us, when thou wentest to fight with Midian? And they did chide with him, sharply.

So he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread to the people that are following me; for, faint, they are, and, I, am in pursuit of Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.

Then said he unto Zebah and unto Zalmunna, What manner of men were they, whom ye slew at Tabor? And they said, As thou art, so were they, each one, as handsome as the sons of a king.

And he said: My brethren, sons of my mother, they were! As Yahweh liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not have slain you.

And Gideon said unto them - I would make to you a request, Give me, then, every man the nose-ring of his spoil. For they had, nose-rings of gold, for, Ishmaelites, they were.

And they said, We will, freely give. So they spread out a mantle, and cast therein, every man the nose-ring of his spoil.

Thus was Midian subdued, before the sons of Israel, neither did they again lift up their head, - and the land had rest forty years, in the days of Gideon.

neither dealt they in lovingkindness with the house of Jerubbaal namely Gideon, - according to all the goodness wherewith he had dealt with Israel.

So the brethren of his mother spake for him, in the ears of all the owners of Shechem, all these words, - and their heart inclined after Abimelech, for they said - Our own brother, is he.

So they gave him seventy pieces of silver, out of the house of Baal-berith, - and Abimelech hired therewith, loose and unstable men, and they followed him.

Then were gathered together all the owners of Shechem, and all the house of Millo, and they went and made Abimelech king, - by the oak of the pillar, that was in Shechem.

The trees, went their way, to anoint over them, a king, - and they said unto the olive tree - Reign thou over us.

So the owners of Shechem set for him liers in wait, upon the tops of the mountains, and they robbed all who crossed over them by the road, - and it was told Abimelech.

And Gaal son of Ebed came, with his brethren, and they passed through to Shechem, - and the owners of Shechem put their trust in him.

Then went they out into the fields, and gathered the fruit of their vineyards and trode the grapes , and held a vintage festival, - and entered the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and poured contempt on Abimelech.

So Abimelech rose up,, and all the people that were with him, by night, - and they lay in wait above Shechem, in four companies.

Then dwelt Abimelech in Arumah, - and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem.

And it came to pass, on the morrow, that the people went forth into the field, - and they told Abimelech.

And, when all the owners of the tower of Shechem heard, they entered into the basement of the house of El-berith.

Then called he hastily unto the young man bearing his armour, and said unto him - Draw thy sword, and put me to death, lest they say of me, A woman, slew him! So his young man thrust him through, and he died.

And, when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was, dead, they went their way every man to his own place.

Now he had thirty sons, that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had, thirty cities, - they are called Havvoth-jair, until this day, which are in the land of Gilead.

and they enfeebled and oppressed the sons of Israel in that year, - eighteen years, did they this unto all the sons of Israel who were beyond the Jordan, in the land of the Amorites, that was in Gilead.

Go and make outcry unto the gods whom ye have chosen, - they, must save you, in the time of your tribulation.

And they put away the gods of the stranger out of their midst, and served Yahweh, - and his soul was impatient of the misery of Israel.

Now the sons of Ammon were called out, and they encamped in Gilead, - and the sons of Israel assembled themselves together, and encamped in Mizpah.