1
And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certainLevitesojourning on the side of mountEphraim, who took to him a concubineout of Bethlehemjudah*.
2
And his concubine played the whore against him, and went away from him unto her father'shouse to Bethlehemjudah*, and was there four whole months*.
3
And her husbandarose , and wentafter her, to speakfriendly unto her, and to bring her again , having his servant with him, and a couple of asses: and she brought him into her father'shouse: and when the father of the damselsaw him, he rejoiced to meet him.
4
And his father in law , the damsel'sfather,retained him; and he abode with him threedays: so they did eat and drink , and lodged there.
5
And it came to pass on the fourthday, when they arose early in the morning, that he rose up to depart : and the damsel'sfathersaid unto his son in law,Comfort thine heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward go your way .
6
And they sat down , and did eat and drinkboth of them together: for the damsel'sfather had said unto the man, Be content , I pray thee, and tarry all night , and let thine heart be merry .
7
And when the man rose up to depart , his father in lawurged him: therefore he lodged there again .
8
And he arose early in the morning on the fifthday to depart : and the damsel'sfathersaid , Comfort thine heart, I pray thee. And they tarried until afternoon* , and they did eatboth of them.
9
And when the man rose up to depart , he, and his concubine, and his servant, his father in law , the damsel'sfather,said unto him, Behold, now the daydraweth toward evening , I pray you tarry all night : behold, the day groweth to an end , lodge here, that thine heart may be merry ; and to morrow get you early on your way, that thou mayest gohome.
10
But the manwould not tarry that night , but he rose up and departed , and came over againstJebus, which is Jerusalem; and there were with him twoassessaddled , his concubine also was with him.
11
And when they were by Jebus, the day was farspent ; and the servantsaid unto his master,Come , I pray thee, and let us turn in into this city of the Jebusites, and lodge in it.