jps - Judges:8:1-21

jps@Judges:8:1 @ And the men of Ephraim said unto him: 'Why hast thou served us thus, that thou didst not call us when thou wentest to fight with Midian?' And they did chide with him sharply.

jps@Judges:8:2 @ And he said unto them: 'What have I now done in comparison with you? Is not the gleaning of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?

jps@Judges:8:3 @ God hath delivered into your hand the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb; and what was I able to do in comparison with you?' Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that.

jps@Judges:8:4 @ And Gideon came to the Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing.

jps@Judges:8:5 @ And he said unto the men of Succoth: 'Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they are faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.'

jps@Judges:8:6 @ And the princes of Succoth said: 'Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thy power, that we should give bread unto thine army?'

jps@Judges:8:7 @ And Gideon said: 'Therefore when the LORD hath delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.'

jps@Judges:8:8 @ And he went up thence to Penuel, and spoke unto them in like manner; and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered.

jps@Judges:8:9 @ And he spoke also unto the men of Penuel, saying: 'When I come back in peace, I will break down this tower.'

jps@Judges:8:10 @ Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all the host of the children of the east; for there fell a hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword.

jps@Judges:8:11 @ And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host; for the host was secure.

jps@Judges:8:12 @ And Zebah and Zalmunna fled; and he pursued after them; and he took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the host.

jps@Judges:8:13 @ And Gideon the son of Joash returned from the battle from the ascent of Heres.

jps@Judges:8:14 @ And he caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and inquired of him; and he wrote down for him the princes of Succoth, and the elders thereof, seventy and seven men.

jps@Judges:8:15 @ And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said: 'Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, concerning whom ye did taunt me, saying: Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thy power, that we should give bread unto thy men that are weary?'

jps@Judges: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.

jps@Judges:8:17 @ And he broke down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.

jps@Judges:8:18 @ Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna: 'Where are the men whom ye slew at Tabor?' And they answered: 'As thou art, so were they; of one form with the children of a king.'

jps@Judges:8:19 @ And he said: 'They were my brethren, the sons of my mother; as the LORD liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you.'

jps@Judges:8:20 @ And he said unto Jether his first-born: 'Up, and slay them.' But the youth drew not his sword; for he feared, because he was yet a youth.

jps@Judges:8:21 @ Then Zebah and Zalmunna said: 'Rise thou, and fall upon us; for as the man is, so is his strength.' And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took the crescents that were on their camels' necks.