34 Bible Verses about Boys

Lo, sons are a heritage of LORD, [and] the fruit of the womb is [a] reward. As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the sons of youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. They shall not be put to shame when they speak with their enemies in the gate.

So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and LORD gave her conception, and she bore a son. And the women said to Naomi, Blessed be LORD, who has not left thee this day without a near kinsman. And let his name be famous in Israel. And he shall be to thee a restorer of life, and a nourisher of thine old age, for thy daughter-in-law, who loves thee, who is better to thee than seven sons, has borne him.read more.
And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse to it. And the women, her neighbors, gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi. And they called his name Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine in the innermost parts of thy house, thy sons like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears LORD.

And God said to Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shall not call her name Sarai, but her name shall be Sarah. And I will bless her. And moreover I will give thee a son by her. Yea, I will bless her, and she shall be [a mother of] nations; kings of peoples shall be by her. Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born to him who is a hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear?read more.
And Abraham said to God, Oh that Ishmael might live before thee! And God said, No, but Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son, and thou shall call his name Isaac. And I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his seed after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to thee at this set time in the next year. And he left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham.

And LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and LORD did to Sarah as he had spoken. And Sarah conceived, and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. And Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore to him, Isaac.read more.
And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. And Abraham was a hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born to him. And Sarah said, God has made me to laugh. Everyone who hears will laugh with me. And she said, Who would have said to Abraham, that Sarah should give sons suck? For I have borne him a son in his old age.

And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah, and his wife was barren, and did not bear. And the agent of LORD appeared to the woman, and said to her, Behold now, thou are barren, and do not bear, but thou shall conceive, and bear a son. Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink no wine nor strong drink, and do not eat any unclean thing,read more.
for, lo, thou shall conceive, and bear a son. And no razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb. And he shall begin to save Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.

And the woman bore a son, and called his name Samson. And the child grew, and LORD blessed him. And the Spirit of LORD began to move him in Mahaneh-dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.

Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill-country of Ephraim. And his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, and Ephraimite. And he had two wives: the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of other Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. And this man went up out of his city from year to year to worship and to sacrifice to LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, priests to LORD, were there.read more.
And when the day came that Elkanah sacrificed, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions, but to Hannah he gave a double portion, for he loved Hannah, but LORD had shut up her womb. And her rival provoked her greatly, to make her fret, because LORD had shut up her womb. And [as] he did so year by year when she went up to the house of LORD, so she provoked her. Therefore she wept, and did not eat. And Elkanah her husband said to her, Hannah, why do thou weep? And why do thou not eat? And why is thy heart grieved? Am not I better to thee than ten sons? So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest was sitting upon his seat by the door-post of the temple of LORD. And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to LORD, and wept much. And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou will indeed look on the affliction of thy handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thy handmaid, but will give to thy handmaid a man-child, then I will give him to LORD all t And it came to pass, as she continued praying before LORD, that Eli noticed her mouth. Now Hannah, she spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. And Eli said to her, How long will thou be drunken? Put away thy wine from thee. And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I poured out my soul before LORD. Count not thy handmaid for an iniquitous woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and my provocation have I spoken until now. Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant thy petition that thou have asked of him. And she said, Let thy handmaid find favor in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and ate, and her countenance was no more [sad]. And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and LORD remembered her. And it came to pass, when the time came about, that Hannah conceived, and bore a son. And she called his name Samuel, [saying], Because I have asked him of LORD.

It came to pass in the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a certain priest, named Zacharias, from the division of Abijah, and his wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, going in all the commandments and righteous things of the Lord blameless. And there was no child to them because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in their days.read more.
But it came to pass during his service as a priest in the course of his division in the presence of God, that, according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to burn incense after entering into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. And an agent of Lord became visible to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zacharias having seen, was shaken, and fear fell upon him. But the agent said to him, Fear not, Zacharias, because thy plea was heard, and thy wife Elizabeth will bear a son for thee. And thou shall call his name John. And there will be joy and exultation for thee, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he should, no, not drink wine and strong drink. And he will be filled of Holy Spirit, even from his mother's belly. And he will turn back many of the sons of Israel to Lord their God. And he will go ahead, in front of him, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn back the hearts of fathers toward children, and the disobedient in a mentality of the righteous, to make ready for Lord a people prepared. And Zacharias said to the agent, How will I know this? For I am aged, and my wife is advanced in her days. And having answered, the agent said to him, I am Gabriel who stand in the presence of God. And I was sent to speak to thee, and to announce these good news to thee. And behold, thou will be mute, and not able to speak until that day these things will come to pass, because thou did not believed my words, which will be fulfilled in their time. And the people were waiting for Zacharias, and they wondered during his delay in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speak to them, and they recognized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he was beckoning to them, and remained speechless. And it came to pass, when the days of his service were fulfilled, he departed to his house. And after these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she concealed herself five months, saying, Thus the Lord has done to me during the days in which he looked, to take away my shame among men.

Now the time for Elizabeth was fulfilled for her to give birth, and she brought forth a son. And her neighbors and her kinfolk heard that Lord magnified his mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. And it came to pass on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child, and they were calling it by the name of his father Zacharias.read more.
And his mother having answered, said, No, but he will be called John. And they said to her, There is no man among thy relatives who is called by this name. And they made signs to his father, whatever he wanted to call him. And having asked for a writing tablet, he wrote, saying, His name is John. And they all marveled. And immediately his mouth was opened, and his tongue, and he spoke, praising God. And fear developed in all who dwell around them. And all these sayings were talked about in the entire hill country of Judea. And all who heard stored up in their heart, saying, What then will this child be? For the hand of Lord was with him.

Now in the sixth month the agent Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And the agent having come in near her, he said, Hail, thou who are highly favored. The Lord is with thee, thou who are blessed among women.read more.
But having seen, she was perplexed at his saying, and was pondering what kind of greeting this might be. And the agent said to her, Fear not, Mary, for thou have found favor with God. And behold, thou will conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son. And thou shall call his name JESUS. This man will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David. And he will reign over the house of Jacob into the ages. And of his kingdom there will be no end. And Mary said to the agent, How will this be, since I know not a man? And having answered, the agent said to her, Holy Spirit will come upon thee, and the power of the Most High will overshadow thee. Therefore also the holy thing that is begotten will be called the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth thy kinswoman, she also has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For no word from God will be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the maid-servant of Lord. May it happen to me according to thy word. And the agent departed from her.

But while he considered these things, behold, an agent of Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take Mary to be thy wife, for that which was begotten in her is from Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a son, and thou shall call his name JESUS, for he will save his people from their sins.

And God said to Abraham, And as for thee, thou shall keep my covenant, thou, and thy seed after thee throughout their generations. This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee: every male among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be a sign of a covenant between me and you.read more.
And he who is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations: he who is born in the house, or bought with money of any foreigner that is not of thy seed. He who is born in thy house, and he who is bought with thy money, must be circumcised. And my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. And the uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.

And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.

And it came to pass on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child, and they were calling it by the name of his father Zacharias.

And when eight days were fulfilled to circumcise him, that his name was called JESUS, the one called by the heavenly agent before he was conceived in the belly.

Hear, ye sons, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine. Forsake ye not my law. For I was a son to my father, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.read more.
And he taught me, and said to me, Let thy heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live.

And thou shall tell thy son in that day, saying, It is because of that which LORD did for me when I came forth out of Egypt.

When thy son asks thee in time to come, saying, What is the meaning of the testimonies, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which LORD our God has commanded you? Then thou shall say to thy son, We were Pharaoh's bondmen in Egypt, and LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. And LORD showed signs and wonders, great and grievous, upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his house, before our eyes.read more.
And he brought us out from there that he might bring us in to give us the land which he swore to our fathers. And LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear LORD our God for our good always, that he might preserve us alive as at this day. And it shall be righteousness to us, if we observe to do all this commandment before LORD our God as he has commanded us.

Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom. I have led thee in paths of uprightness. When thou go, thy steps shall not be restricted. And if thou run, thou shall not stumble.read more.
Take firm hold of instruction. Do not let her go. Keep her, for she is thy life.

And the child Samuel served LORD before Eli. And the word of LORD was precious in those days; there was no frequent vision. And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place (now his eyes had begun to grow dim so that he could not see), and the lamp of God was not yet gone out, and Samuel was laid down in the temple of LORD where the ark of God was,read more.
that LORD called Samuel. And he said, Here I am. And he ran to Eli, and said, Here I am, for thou called me. And he said, I did not call. Lay down again. And he went and lay down. And LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here I am, for thou called me. And he answered, I did not call, my son. Lay down again. Now Samuel did not yet know LORD, neither was the word of LORD yet revealed to him. And LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here I am, for thou called me. And Eli perceived that LORD had called the child. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, Go, lay down, and it shall be, if he calls thee, that thou shall say, Speak, LORD, for thy servant hears. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel said, Speak, for thy servant hears. And LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel at which both the ears of everyone who hears it shall tingle. In that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from the beginning even to the end. For I have told him that I will judge his house forever, for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons brought a curse upon themselves, and he did not restrain them. And therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be expiated with sacrifice nor offering forever. And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of LORD. And Samuel was afraid to show Eli the vision. Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he said, Here I am. And he said, What is the thing that [LORD] has spoken to thee? I pray thee, hide it not from me. God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide anything from me of all the things that he spoke to thee. And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is LORD. Let him do what seems him good. And Samuel grew, and LORD was with him, and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of LORD. And LORD appeared again in Shiloh, for LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of LORD.

And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the place of the wagons as the army which was going forth to the fight shouted for the battle. And Israel and the Philistines put the battle in array, army against army. And David left his baggage in the hand of the keeper of the baggage, and ran to the army, and came and saluted his brothers.read more.
And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the ranks of the Philistines, and spoke according to the same words, and David heard them. And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were greatly afraid. And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man who has come up? Surely to defy Israel he has come up. And it shall be, that the man who kills him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and m And David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man who kills this Philistine, and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the l And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that kills him. And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spoke to the men. And Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why have thou come down? And with whom have thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and t And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause? And he turned away from him toward another, and spoke after the same manner, and the people answered him again after the former manner. And when the words were heard which David spoke, they repeated them before Saul, and he sent for him. And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him. Thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. And Saul said to David, Thou are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for thou are but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. And David said to Saul, Thy servant was keeping his father's sheep, and when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth. And when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and killed him. Thy servant smote both the lion and the bear, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God. And David said, LORD who delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said to David, Go, and LORD shall be with thee. And Saul clad David with his apparel, and he put a helmet of brass upon his head, and he clad him with a coat of mail. And David girded his sword upon his apparel, and he attempted to go, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them. And David put them off of him. And he took his staff in his hand, and chose for him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in the shepherd's bag which he had, even in his wallet. And his sling was in his hand, and he drew near to the Philistine. And the Philistine came on and drew near to David, and the man who bore the shield went before him. And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him, for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. And the Philistine said to David, Am I a dog, that thou come to me with sticks? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh to the birds of the heavens, and to the beasts of the field. Then David said to the Philistine, Thou come to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a javelin, but I come to thee in the name of LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou have defied. This day LORD will deliver thee into my hand, and I will smite thee, and take thy head from off thee. And I will give the dead bodies of the armies of the Philistines this day to the birds of the heavens, and to the wild beasts of and that all this assembly may know that LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is LORD's, and he will give you into our hand. And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew near to meet David, that David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag, and took from there a stone, and slung it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead. And the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell upon his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David. Then David ran, and stood over the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath of it, and killed him, and cut off his head with it. And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.

Joash was seven years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Zibiah, of Beersheba. And Joash did that which was right in the eyes of LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest.

Joash began to reign in the seventh year of Jehu. And he reigned forty years in Jerusalem, and his mother's name was Zibiah of Beersheba. And Joash did that which was right in the eyes of LORD all his days in which Jehoiada the priest instructed him.

Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. And he did that which was right in the eyes of LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.

Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. And he did that which was right in the eyes of LORD, and walked in all the way of David his father, and did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.

And his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he became twelve years old, them having gone up according to the custom of the feast, and having fulfilled the days, during their return the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and his mother did not know it,read more.
but, having supposed him to be in the caravan, they went a day's journey. And they sought him among their kinfolk and acquaintances. And not having found him, they turned back to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them, and questioning them. And all who heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him they were amazed. And his mother said to him, Child, why did thou this way to us? Behold, thy father and I were seeking thee sorrowing. And he said to them, Why is it that ye were seeking me? Had ye not known that I must be among the things of my Father? And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them.

And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick, and his sickness was so severe that there was no breath left in him. And she said to Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? Thou have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance, and to kill my son! And he said to her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into the chamber where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed.read more.
And he cried to LORD, and said, O LORD my God, have thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn by slaying her son? And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried to LORD, and said, O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again. And LORD hearkened to the voice of Elijah, and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him to his mother. And Elijah said, See, thy son lives.

And when Elisha came into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. He went in therefore, and shut the door upon the two of them, and prayed to LORD. And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands. And he stretched himself upon him, and the flesh of the child grew warm.read more.
Then he returned, and walked in the house once to and fro, and went up, and stretched himself upon him. And the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she came in to him, he said, Take up thy son. Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground. And she took up her son, and went out.

And when they came to the multitude, a man came to him, kneeling to him, and saying, Lord, be merciful to my son, because he is lunatic, and suffers badly. For he often falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not heal him.read more.
And having answered, Jesus said, O faithless and perverted generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring him here to me. And Jesus rebuked it, and the demon departed from him. And the boy was cured from that hour.

And when they came to the disciples he saw a great multitude around them, and scholars disputing with them. And straightaway all the multitude, having noticed him, were startled. And running near they greeted him. And he questioned the scholars, What are ye disputing with them?read more.
And having answered, one from the multitude said, Teacher, I brought my son to thee, who has a mute spirit. And wherever it seizes him, it tears him, and he foams, and gnashes his teeth, and becomes limp. And I spoke to thy disciples that they might cast it out, and they were not able. And having answered him, he says, O faithless generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring him to me. And they brought him to him. And when he saw him, straightaway the spirit convulsed him. And having fallen on the ground, he wallowed, foaming. And he questioned his father, How much time is it since this has happened to him? And he said, From childhood. And it often casts him both into the fire and into the waters so that it might destroy him. But if thou can do anything, help us, having compassion toward us. And Jesus said to him, If thou are able to believe, all things are possible to him who believes. And straightaway the father of the child having cried out, he said with tears, I believe. Lord, help thou my unbelief. And when Jesus saw that a crowd was running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, Thou mute and deaf spirit, I command thee to come out of him, and enter into him no more. And having cried out, and having convulsed him much, it came out. And he became as if dead, so as for many to said that he was dead. But having taken him by the hand, Jesus lifted him up, and he arose.

And it came to pass, on the next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, saying, Teacher, I beseech thee to look upon my son, because he is the only begotten to me. And lo, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out, and it convulses him with foaming. And it departs from him difficultly, injuring him.read more.
And I begged thy disciples that they might cast it out, and they could not. And having answered, Jesus said, O faithless and perverted generation, how long will I be with you and endure you? Bring thy son here. And as he was still a coming, the demon tore him, and he convulsed. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. And they were all amazed at the majesty of God. But while all were wondering at all the things which Jesus did, he said to his disciples,

Then Herod, when he saw that he was scorned by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and having sent forth, he killed all the boys in Bethlehem, and in all the borders of it, from two years old and under, according to the time that

And the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah. And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the birth-stool, if it be a son, then ye shall kill him, but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive.read more.
And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said to them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the male children alive? And the midwives said to Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women, for they are lively, and are delivered before the midwife comes to them. And God dealt well with the midwives. And the people multiplied, and grew very mighty. And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them households. And Pharaoh ordered all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.