The Darby Translation DBY
New International Version NIV
12 And the tribes of Israel sent men to all the families of Benjamin, saying, What wickedness is this that has been done among you?
12
The tribes of Israel sent messengers throughout the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What about this awful crime that was committed among you?
13 And now give up the men, the sons of Belial, who are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death, and put away evil from Israel. But [the children of] Benjamin would not hearken to the voice of their brethren the children of Israel.
13
Now turn those wicked men of Gibeah over to us so that we may put them to death and purge the evil from Israel.” But the Benjamites would not listen to their fellow Israelites.
14 And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities of Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel.
14
From their towns they came together at Gibeah to fight against the Israelites.
15 And the children of Benjamin were numbered at that time out of the cities, twenty-six thousand men that drew sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah, who were numbered seven hundred chosen men.
15
At once the Benjamites mobilized twenty-six thousand swordsmen from their towns, in addition to seven hundred able young men from those living in Gibeah.
16 Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men left-handed; all these slang stones at a hair [breadth], and missed not.
16
Among all these soldiers there were seven hundred select troops who were left-handed, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.
17 And the men of Israel, besides Benjamin, were numbered four hundred thousand men that drew sword: all these were men of war.
17
Israel, apart from Benjamin, mustered four hundred thousand swordsmen, all of them fit for battle.
18 And the children of Israel arose and went up to Bethel, and inquired of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And Jehovah said, Judah first.
18
The Israelites went up to Bethel and inquired of God. They said, “Who of us is to go up first to fight against the Benjamites?” The LORD replied, “Judah shall go first.”
19 And the children of Israel rose up in the morning and encamped against Gibeah.
19
The next morning the Israelites got up and pitched camp near Gibeah.
20 And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin; and the men of Israel put themselves in array to fight against them at Gibeah.
20
The Israelites went out to fight the Benjamites and took up battle positions against them at Gibeah.
21 And the children of Benjamin went forth out of Gibeah, and destroyed to the ground of the Israelites that day twenty-two thousand men.
21
The Benjamites came out of Gibeah and cut down twenty-two thousand Israelites on the battlefield that day.
22 And the people, the men of Israel, took courage, and set the battle again in array in the place where they put themselves in array the first day.
22
But the Israelites encouraged one another and again took up their positions where they had stationed themselves the first day.
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.