10
So they sent ten thousand of the most valiant men, and commanded them, saying: Go and put the inhabitants of Jabes Galaad to the sword, with their wives and their children.
11
And this is what you shall observe: Every male, and all women that have known men, you shall kill, but the virgins you shall save.
12
And there were found of Jabes Galaad four hundred virgins, that had not known the bed of a man, and they brought them to the camp in Silo, into the land of Chanaan.
13
And they sent messengers to the children of Benjamin, that were in the rock Remmon, and commanded them to receive them in peace.
14
And the children of Benjamin came at that time, and wives were given them of Jabes Galaad: but they found no others, whom they might give in like manner.
15
And all Israel was very sorry, and repented for the destroying of one tribe out of Israel.
16
And the ancients said: What shall we do with the rest, that have not received wives? for all the women in Benjamin are dead.
17
And we must use all care, and provide with great diligence, that one tribe be not destroyed out of Israel.
18
For as to our own daughters we cannot give them, being bound with an oath and a curse, whereby we said: Cursed be he that shall give Benjamin any of his daughters to wife.
19
So they took counsel, and said: Behold, there is a yearly solemnity of the Lord in Silo, which is situate on the north of the city of Bethel, and on the east side of the way, that goeth from Bethel to Sichem, and on the south of the town of Lebona.
20
And they commanded the children of Benjamin and said: Go, and lie hid in the vineyards,