Judges 21:17-25 (New International Version)
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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.
22
When their fathers or brothers complain to us, we will say to them, 'Do us a kindness by helping them, because we did not get wives for them during the war, and you are innocent, since you did not give8 your daughters to them.' "
23
So that is what the Benjamites did. While the girls were dancing,9 each man caught one and carried her off to be his wife. Then they returned to their inheritance10 and rebuilt the towns and settled in them.11
24
At that time the Israelites left that place and went home to their tribes and clans, each to his own inheritance.
25
In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.12
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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