| New International Version (NIV) | New International Version (NIV) |
| 1 Now a man named Micah from the hill country of Ephraim | 1 Now a man named Micah from the hill country of Ephraim |
| 2 said to his mother, "The eleven hundred shekels of silver that were taken from you and about which I heard you utter a curse--I have that silver with me; I took it." Then his mother said, "The LORD bless you, my son!" | 2 said to his mother, "The eleven hundred shekels of silver that were taken from you and about which I heard you utter a curse--I have that silver with me; I took it." Then his mother said, "The LORD bless you, my son!" |
| 3 When he returned the eleven hundred shekels of silver to his mother, she said, "I solemnly consecrate my silver to the LORD for my son to make a carved image and a cast idol. I will give it back to you." | 3 When he returned the eleven hundred shekels of silver to his mother, she said, "I solemnly consecrate my silver to the LORD for my son to make a carved image and a cast idol. I will give it back to you." |
| 4 So he returned the silver to his mother, and she took two hundred shekels of silver and gave them to a silversmith, who made them into the image and the idol. And they were put in Micah's house. | 4 So he returned the silver to his mother, and she took two hundred shekels of silver and gave them to a silversmith, who made them into the image and the idol. And they were put in Micah's house. |
| 5 Now this man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and some idols and installed one of his sons as his priest. | 5 Now this man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and some idols and installed one of his sons as his priest. |
| 6 In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit. | 6 In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit. |
| 7 A young Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, who had been living within the clan of Judah, | 7 A young Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, who had been living within the clan of Judah, |
| 8 left that town in search of some other place to stay. On his way he came to Micah's house in the hill country of Ephraim. | 8 left that town in search of some other place to stay. On his way he came to Micah's house in the hill country of Ephraim. |
| 9 Micah asked him, "Where are you from?" "I'm a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah," he said, "and I'm looking for a place to stay." | 9 Micah asked him, "Where are you from?" "I'm a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah," he said, "and I'm looking for a place to stay." |
| 10 Then Micah said to him, "Live with me and be my father and priest, and I'll give you ten shekels of silver a year, your clothes and your food." | 10 Then Micah said to him, "Live with me and be my father and priest, and I'll give you ten shekels of silver a year, your clothes and your food." |
| 11 So the Levite agreed to live with him, and the young man was to him like one of his sons. | 11 So the Levite agreed to live with him, and the young man was to him like one of his sons. |
| 12 Then Micah installed the Levite, and the young man became his priest and lived in his house. | 12 Then Micah installed the Levite, and the young man became his priest and lived in his house. |
| 13 And Micah said, "Now I know that the LORD will be good to me, since this Levite has become my priest." | 13 And Micah said, "Now I know that the LORD will be good to me, since this Levite has become my priest." |
| 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) | 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) |