29
Now the Spirit of the LORDcame upon Jephthah, so that he passedthroughGilead and Manasseh; then he passedthroughMizpah of Gilead, and from Mizpah of Gilead he went on to the sons of Ammon.
31
then it shall be that whatevercomes out of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the sons of Ammon, it shall be the LORD'S, and I will offer it up as a burntoffering."
33
He struck them with a verygreatslaughter from Aroer to the entrance of Minnith, twentycities, and as far as Abel-keramim. So the sons of Ammon were subduedbefore* the sons of Israel.
34
When Jephthahcame to his house at Mizpah, behold, his daughter was coming out to meet him with tambourines and with dancing. Now she was his one and onlychild; besides her he hadnosonordaughter.
35
When he saw her, he tore his clothes and said, "Alas, my daughter! You have brought me verylow, and you are among those who trouble me; for I have given my word to the LORD, and I cannot*take it back."
36
So she said to him, "My father, you have given your word to the LORD; do to me as you have said**, since* the LORD has avenged you of your enemies, the sons of Ammon."
37
She said to her father, "Let thisthing be done for me; let me alone*twomonths, that I may go* to the mountains and weepbecause of my virginity, I and my companions."
39
At the end of twomonths she returned to her father, who did to her according to the vowwhich he had made; and she hadnorelations with a man. Thus it became a custom in Israel,