Judges 21:16-21 (New International Version)
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16
And the elders of the assembly said, "With the women of Benjamin destroyed, how shall we provide wives for the men who are left?
17
The Benjamite survivors must have heirs," they said, "so that a tribe of Israel will not be wiped out.1
18
We can't give them our daughters as wives, since we Israelites have taken this oath:2 'Cursed be anyone who gives3 a wife to a Benjamite.'
19
But look, there is the annual festival of the LORD in Shiloh,4 to the north of Bethel5, and east of the road that goes from Bethel to Shechem,6 and to the south of Lebonah."
20
So they instructed the Benjamites, saying, "Go and hide in the vineyards
21
and watch. When the girls of Shiloh come out to join in the dancing,7 then rush from the vineyards and each of you seize a wife from the girls of Shiloh and go to the land of Benjamin.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online)
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