1 T hen the men of Ephraim got ready for war. They crossed over to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight the men of Ammon without calling us to go with you? With fire we will burn down your house with you in it.”

Then the men of Ephraim were summoned, and they crossed to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight against the sons of Ammon without calling us to go with you? We will burn your house down on you.”

2 J ephthah said to them, “I and my people were having much trouble with the people of Ammon. I did call you, but you did not take me away from them.

Jephthah said to them, “I and my people were at great strife with the sons of Ammon; when I called you, you did not deliver me from their hand.

3 I saw that you would not help me, so I took my life in my hands. I crossed over to fight the people of Ammon. And the Lord gave them into my hand. So why have you come today to fight against me?”

When I saw that you would not deliver me, I took my life in my hands and crossed over against the sons of Ammon, and the Lord gave them into my hand. Why then have you come up to me this day to fight against me?”

4 T hen Jephthah gathered all the men of Gilead and fought Ephraim. The men of Gilead won the war against Ephraim, because Ephraim said, “You people of Gilead are not respected among Ephraim and Manasseh.”

Then Jephthah gathered all the men of Gilead and fought Ephraim; and the men of Gilead defeated Ephraim, because they said, “You are fugitives of Ephraim, O Gileadites, in the midst of Ephraim and in the midst of Manasseh.”

5 T he people of Gilead took the crossing places of the Jordan beside Ephraim. When any of the Ephraimite men ran away and said, “Let me cross over,” the men of Gilead would say to him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” If he said, “No,”

The Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan opposite Ephraim. And it happened when any of the fugitives of Ephraim said, “Let me cross over,” the men of Gilead would say to him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” If he said, “No,”

6 t hey would say to him, “Then say ‘Shibboleth.’” But he would say, “Sibboleth,” for he could not say it right. So they would take hold of him and kill him at the crossing places of the Jordan. At that time 42, 000 men of Ephraim were killed.

then they would say to him, “Say now, ‘Shibboleth.’” But he said, “Sibboleth,” for he could not pronounce it correctly. Then they seized him and slew him at the fords of the Jordan. Thus there fell at that time 42, 000 of Ephraim.

7 J ephthah ruled Israel for six years. Then Jephthah the Gileadite died. He was buried in one of the cities of Gilead. Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon

Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then Jephthah the Gileadite died and was buried in one of the cities of Gilead.

8 I bzan of Bethlehem ruled Israel after him.

Now Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel after him.

9 H e had thirty sons and thirty daughters whom he gave in marriage outside the family. And he brought in thirty daughters from outside the family for his sons. He ruled Israel for seven years.

He had thirty sons, and thirty daughters whom he gave in marriage outside the family, and he brought in thirty daughters from outside for his sons. And he judged Israel seven years.

10 T hen Ibzan died and was buried in Bethlehem.

Then Ibzan died and was buried in Bethlehem.

11 E lon the Zebulunite ruled Israel after him. He ruled Israel for ten years.

Now Elon the Zebulunite judged Israel after him; and he judged Israel ten years.

12 T hen Elon the Zebulunite died. He was buried at Aijalon in the land of Zebulun.

Then Elon the Zebulunite died and was buried at Aijalon in the land of Zebulun.

13 A bdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite ruled Israel after him.

Now Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite judged Israel after him.

14 H e had forty sons and thirty grandsons who traveled on seventy donkeys. He ruled Israel for eight years.

He had forty sons and thirty grandsons who rode on seventy donkeys; and he judged Israel eight years.

15 T hen Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died. He was buried at Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the hill country of the Amalekites.

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