Wives Who Win for Christ: Influencing Your Unsaved Husband Through Discipleship by Dr. Treal Ravenel

The Fasting Zone

Allowing Our Children to Grow and Go: A 3-Day Parenting Plan

The Way of the Cross

Raising the Next Generation: Trusting God’s Plan for Single Mothers

Faith Under Fire

TheLionWithin.Us: 3 Questions to Unlock Deeper Insights in God’s Word

Bible Study 2: Naomi's Journey - Finding Strength in Mentorship

The Benefit of Doubt: How Confronting Your Deepest Questions Can Lead to a Richer Faith

The Big 5

The Listener’s Bible®: NIV Edition

New International Version™  (Anglicised), Audio Edition

Holy Bible, New International Version™ (Anglicised), South Asian Audio Edition

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkGEN">
      <div class="chapter ch33" data-usfm="GEN.33">
         <div class="label">33</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Jacob Meets Esau</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="GEN.33.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Jacob looked up and there was Esau, coming with his four hundred men; so he divided the children among Leah, Rachel and the two female servants. </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="GEN.33.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">He put the female servants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph in the rear. </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="GEN.33.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="GEN.33.3"></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="GEN.33.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept. </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="GEN.33.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. &#8220;Who are these with you?&#8221; he asked.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="GEN.33.5"><span class="content">Jacob answered, &#8220;They are the children God has graciously given your servant.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="GEN.33.5"></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="GEN.33.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">Then the female servants and their children approached and bowed down. </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="GEN.33.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Next, Leah and her children came and bowed down. Last of all came Joseph and Rachel, and they too bowed down.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="GEN.33.7"></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="GEN.33.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">Esau asked, &#8220;What&#8217;s the meaning of all these flocks and herds I met?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="GEN.33.8"><span class="content">&#8220;To find favor in your eyes, my lord,&#8221; he said.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="GEN.33.8"></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="GEN.33.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">But Esau said, &#8220;I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="GEN.33.9"></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="GEN.33.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">&#8220;No, please!&#8221; said Jacob. &#8220;If I have found favor in your eyes, accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably. </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="GEN.33.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need.&#8221; And because Jacob insisted, Esau accepted it.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="GEN.33.11"></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="GEN.33.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">Then Esau said, &#8220;Let us be on our way; I&#8217;ll accompany you.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="GEN.33.12"></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="GEN.33.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">But Jacob said to him, &#8220;My lord knows that the children are tender and that I must care for the ewes and cows that are nursing their young. If they are driven hard just one day, all the animals will die. </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="GEN.33.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">So let my lord go on ahead of his servant, while I move along slowly at the pace of the flocks and herds before me and the pace of the children, until I come to my lord in Seir.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="GEN.33.14"></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="GEN.33.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">Esau said, &#8220;Then let me leave some of my men with you.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="GEN.33.15"><span class="content">&#8220;But why do that?&#8221; Jacob asked. &#8220;Just let me find favor in the eyes of my lord.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="GEN.33.15"></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="GEN.33.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">So that day Esau started on his way back to Seir. </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="GEN.33.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">Jacob, however, went to Sukkoth, where he built a place for himself and made shelters for his livestock. That is why the place is called Sukkoth.</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">33:17 </span><span class="fq">Sukkoth </span><span class="ft">means </span><span class="fq">shelters</span><span class="fqa">.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="GEN.33.17"></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="GEN.33.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">After Jacob came from Paddan Aram,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">33:18 </span><span class="ft">That is, Northwest Mesopotamia</span></span></span><span class="content"> he arrived safely at the city of Shechem in Canaan and camped within sight of the city. </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="GEN.33.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">For a hundred pieces of silver,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">33:19 </span><span class="ft">Hebrew </span><span class="fqa">hundred kesitahs</span><span class="ft">; a kesitah was a unit of money of unknown weight and value.</span></span></span><span class="content"> he bought from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem, the plot of ground where he pitched his tent. </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="GEN.33.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">There he set up an altar and called it El Elohe Israel.</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">33:20 </span><span class="fq">El Elohe Israel </span><span class="ft">can mean </span><span class="fqa">El is the God of Israel </span><span class="ft">or </span><span class="fqa">mighty is the God of Israel.</span></span></span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkPSA">
      <div class="chapter ch33" data-usfm="PSA.33">
         <div class="label">33</div><div class="cl"><span class="heading">Psalm 33</span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.33.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Sing joyfully to the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, you righteous;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.33.1"><span class="content">it is fitting for the upright to praise him.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.33.1"></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.33.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">Praise the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> with the harp;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.33.2"><span class="content">make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.33.2"></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.33.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">Sing to him a new song;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.33.3"><span class="content">play skillfully, and shout for joy.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.33.3"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.33.3"></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.33.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">For the word of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> is right and true;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.33.4"><span class="content">he is faithful in all he does.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.33.4"></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.33.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">The </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> loves righteousness and justice;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.33.5"><span class="content">the earth is full of his unfailing love.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.33.5"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.33.5"></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.33.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">By the word of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> the heavens were made,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.33.6"><span class="content">their starry host by the breath of his mouth.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.33.6"></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.33.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">He gathers the waters of the sea into jars</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">33:7 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">sea as into a heap</span></span></span><span class="content">;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.33.7"><span class="content">he puts the deep into storehouses.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.33.7"></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.33.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">Let all the earth fear the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.33.8"><span class="content">let all the people of the world revere him.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.33.8"></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.33.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">For he spoke, and it came to be;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.33.9"><span class="content">he commanded, and it stood firm.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.33.9"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.33.9"></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.33.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">The </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> foils the plans of the nations;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.33.10"><span class="content">he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.33.10"></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.33.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">But the plans of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> stand firm forever,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.33.11"><span class="content">the purposes of his heart through all generations.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.33.11"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.33.11"></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.33.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">Blessed is the nation whose God is the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.33.12"><span class="content">the people he chose for his inheritance.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.33.12"></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PSA.33.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">From heaven the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> looks down</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PSA.33.13"><span class="content">and sees all mankind;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PSA.33.13"></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PSA.33.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">from his dwelling place he watches</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PSA.33.14"><span class="content">all who live on earth&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PSA.33.14"></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PSA.33.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">he who forms the hearts of all,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PSA.33.15"><span class="content">who considers everything they do.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PSA.33.15"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PSA.33.15"></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PSA.33.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">No king is saved by the size of his army;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PSA.33.16"><span class="content">no warrior escapes by his great strength.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PSA.33.16"></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PSA.33.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PSA.33.17"><span class="content">despite all its great strength it cannot save.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PSA.33.17"></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PSA.33.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">But the eyes of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> are on those who fear him,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PSA.33.18"><span class="content">on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PSA.33.18"></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PSA.33.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">to deliver them from death</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PSA.33.19"><span class="content">and keep them alive in famine.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PSA.33.19"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PSA.33.19"></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="PSA.33.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">We wait in hope for the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="PSA.33.20"><span class="content">he is our help and our shield.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="PSA.33.20"></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="PSA.33.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">In him our hearts rejoice,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="PSA.33.21"><span class="content">for we trust in his holy name.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="PSA.33.21"></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="PSA.33.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">May your unfailing love be with us, </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="PSA.33.22"><span class="content">even as we put our hope in you.</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkJDG">
      <div class="chapter ch9" data-usfm="JDG.9">
         <div class="label">9</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Abimelek</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="JDG.9.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Abimelek son of Jerub-Baal went to his mother&#8217;s brothers in Shechem and said to them and to all his mother&#8217;s clan, </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="JDG.9.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">&#8220;Ask all the citizens of Shechem, &#8216;Which is better for you: to have all seventy of Jerub-Baal&#8217;s sons rule over you, or just one man?&#8217; Remember, I am your flesh and blood.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="JDG.9.2"></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="JDG.9.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">When the brothers repeated all this to the citizens of Shechem, they were inclined to follow Abimelek, for they said, &#8220;He is related to us.&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="JDG.9.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">They gave him seventy shekels</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">9:4 </span><span class="ft">That is, about 1 3/4 pounds or about 800 grams</span></span></span><span class="content"> of silver from the temple of Baal-Berith, and Abimelek used it to hire reckless scoundrels, who became his followers. </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="JDG.9.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">He went to his father&#8217;s home in Ophrah and on one stone murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerub-Baal. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerub-Baal, escaped by hiding. </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="JDG.9.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">Then all the citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo gathered beside the great tree at the pillar in Shechem to crown Abimelek king.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="JDG.9.6"></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="JDG.9.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">When Jotham was told about this, he climbed up on the top of Mount Gerizim and shouted to them, &#8220;Listen to me, citizens of Shechem, so that God may listen to you. </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="JDG.9.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">One day the trees went out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, &#8216;Be our king.&#8217;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="JDG.9.8"></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="JDG.9.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">&#8220;But the olive tree answered, &#8216;Should I give up my oil, by which both gods and humans are honored, to hold sway over the trees?&#8217;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="JDG.9.9"></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="JDG.9.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">&#8220;Next, the trees said to the fig tree, &#8216;Come and be our king.&#8217;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="JDG.9.10"></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="JDG.9.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">&#8220;But the fig tree replied, &#8216;Should I give up my fruit, so good and sweet, to hold sway over the trees?&#8217;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="JDG.9.11"></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="JDG.9.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">&#8220;Then the trees said to the vine, &#8216;Come and be our king.&#8217;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="JDG.9.12"></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="JDG.9.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">&#8220;But the vine answered, &#8216;Should I give up my wine, which cheers both gods and humans, to hold sway over the trees?&#8217;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="JDG.9.13"></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="JDG.9.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">&#8220;Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, &#8216;Come and be our king.&#8217;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="JDG.9.14"></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="JDG.9.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">&#8220;The thornbush said to the trees, &#8216;If you really want to anoint me king over you, come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, then let fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon!&#8217;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="JDG.9.15"></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="JDG.9.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">&#8220;Have you acted honorably and in good faith by making Abimelek king? Have you been fair to Jerub-Baal and his family? Have you treated him as he deserves? </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="JDG.9.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">Remember that my father fought for you and risked his life to rescue you from the hand of Midian. </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="JDG.9.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">But today you have revolted against my father&#8217;s family. You have murdered his seventy sons on a single stone and have made Abimelek, the son of his female slave, king over the citizens of Shechem because he is related to you. </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="JDG.9.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">So have you acted honorably and in good faith toward Jerub-Baal and his family today? If you have, may Abimelek be your joy, and may you be his, too! </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="JDG.9.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">But if you have not, let fire come out from Abimelek and consume you, the citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo, and let fire come out from you, the citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo, and consume Abimelek!&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="JDG.9.20"></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="JDG.9.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">Then Jotham fled, escaping to Beer, and he lived there because he was afraid of his brother Abimelek.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="JDG.9.21"></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="JDG.9.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">After Abimelek had governed Israel three years, </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="JDG.9.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">God stirred up animosity between Abimelek and the citizens of Shechem so that they acted treacherously against Abimelek. </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="JDG.9.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">God did this in order that the crime against Jerub-Baal&#8217;s seventy sons, the shedding of their blood, might be avenged on their brother Abimelek and on the citizens of Shechem, who had helped him murder his brothers. </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="JDG.9.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">In opposition to him these citizens of Shechem set men on the hilltops to ambush and rob everyone who passed by, and this was reported to Abimelek.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="JDG.9.25"></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="JDG.9.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">Now Gaal son of Ebed moved with his clan into Shechem, and its citizens put their confidence in him. </span></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="JDG.9.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="content">After they had gone out into the fields and gathered the grapes and trodden them, they held a festival in the temple of their god. While they were eating and drinking, they cursed Abimelek. </span></span><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="JDG.9.28"><span class="label">28</span><span class="content">Then Gaal son of Ebed said, &#8220;Who is Abimelek, and why should we Shechemites be subject to him? Isn&#8217;t he Jerub-Baal&#8217;s son, and isn&#8217;t Zebul his deputy? Serve the family of Hamor, Shechem&#8217;s father! Why should we serve Abimelek? </span></span><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="JDG.9.29"><span class="label">29</span><span class="content">If only this people were under my command! Then I would get rid of him. I would say to Abimelek, &#8216;Call out your whole army!&#8217;&#8198;&#8221;</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">9:29 </span><span class="ft">Septuagint; Hebrew </span><span class="fqa">him.&#8221; Then he said to Abimelek, &#8220;Call out your whole army!&#8221;</span></span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="JDG.9.29"></span><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="JDG.9.30"><span class="label">30</span><span class="content">When Zebul the governor of the city heard what Gaal son of Ebed said, he was very angry. </span></span><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="JDG.9.31"><span class="label">31</span><span class="content">Under cover he sent messengers to Abimelek, saying, &#8220;Gaal son of Ebed and his clan have come to Shechem and are stirring up the city against you. </span></span><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="JDG.9.32"><span class="label">32</span><span class="content">Now then, during the night you and your men should come and lie in wait in the fields. </span></span><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="JDG.9.33"><span class="label">33</span><span class="content">In the morning at sunrise, advance against the city. When Gaal and his men come out against you, seize the opportunity to attack them.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="JDG.9.33"></span><span class="verse v34" data-usfm="JDG.9.34"><span class="label">34</span><span class="content">So Abimelek and all his troops set out by night and took up concealed positions near Shechem in four companies. </span></span><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="JDG.9.35"><span class="label">35</span><span class="content">Now Gaal son of Ebed had gone out and was standing at the entrance of the city gate just as Abimelek and his troops came out from their hiding place.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="JDG.9.35"></span><span class="verse v36" data-usfm="JDG.9.36"><span class="label">36</span><span class="content">When Gaal saw them, he said to Zebul, &#8220;Look, people are coming down from the tops of the mountains!&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v36" data-usfm="JDG.9.36"><span class="content">Zebul replied, &#8220;You mistake the shadows of the mountains for men.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v36" data-usfm="JDG.9.36"></span><span class="verse v37" data-usfm="JDG.9.37"><span class="label">37</span><span class="content">But Gaal spoke up again: &#8220;Look, people are coming down from the central hill,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">9:37 </span><span class="ft">The Hebrew for this phrase means </span><span class="fqa">the navel of the earth.</span></span></span><span class="content"> and a company is coming from the direction of the diviners&#8217; tree.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v37" data-usfm="JDG.9.37"></span><span class="verse v38" data-usfm="JDG.9.38"><span class="label">38</span><span class="content">Then Zebul said to him, &#8220;Where is your big talk now, you who said, &#8216;Who is Abimelek that we should be subject to him?&#8217; Aren&#8217;t these the men you ridiculed? Go out and fight them!&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v38" data-usfm="JDG.9.38"></span><span class="verse v39" data-usfm="JDG.9.39"><span class="label">39</span><span class="content">So Gaal led out</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">9:39 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">Gaal went out in the sight of</span></span></span><span class="content"> the citizens of Shechem and fought Abimelek. </span></span><span class="verse v40" data-usfm="JDG.9.40"><span class="label">40</span><span class="content">Abimelek chased him all the way to the entrance of the gate, and many were killed as they fled. </span></span><span class="verse v41" data-usfm="JDG.9.41"><span class="label">41</span><span class="content">Then Abimelek stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his clan out of Shechem.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v41" data-usfm="JDG.9.41"></span><span class="verse v42" data-usfm="JDG.9.42"><span class="label">42</span><span class="content">The next day the people of Shechem went out to the fields, and this was reported to Abimelek. </span></span><span class="verse v43" data-usfm="JDG.9.43"><span class="label">43</span><span class="content">So he took his men, divided them into three companies and set an ambush in the fields. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he rose to attack them. </span></span><span class="verse v44" data-usfm="JDG.9.44"><span class="label">44</span><span class="content">Abimelek and the companies with him rushed forward to a position at the entrance of the city gate. Then two companies attacked those in the fields and struck them down. </span></span><span class="verse v45" data-usfm="JDG.9.45"><span class="label">45</span><span class="content">All that day Abimelek pressed his attack against the city until he had captured it and killed its people. Then he destroyed the city and scattered salt over it.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v45" data-usfm="JDG.9.45"></span><span class="verse v46" data-usfm="JDG.9.46"><span class="label">46</span><span class="content">On hearing this, the citizens in the tower of Shechem went into the stronghold of the temple of El-Berith. </span></span><span class="verse v47" data-usfm="JDG.9.47"><span class="label">47</span><span class="content">When Abimelek heard that they had assembled there, </span></span><span class="verse v48" data-usfm="JDG.9.48"><span class="label">48</span><span class="content">he and all his men went up Mount Zalmon. He took an ax and cut off some branches, which he lifted to his shoulders. He ordered the men with him, &#8220;Quick! Do what you have seen me do!&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v49" data-usfm="JDG.9.49"><span class="label">49</span><span class="content">So all the men cut branches and followed Abimelek. They piled them against the stronghold and set it on fire with the people still inside. So all the people in the tower of Shechem, about a thousand men and women, also died.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v49" data-usfm="JDG.9.49"></span><span class="verse v50" data-usfm="JDG.9.50"><span class="label">50</span><span class="content">Next Abimelek went to Thebez and besieged it and captured it. </span></span><span class="verse v51" data-usfm="JDG.9.51"><span class="label">51</span><span class="content">Inside the city, however, was a strong tower, to which all the men and women&#8212;all the people of the city&#8212;had fled. They had locked themselves in and climbed up on the tower roof. </span></span><span class="verse v52" data-usfm="JDG.9.52"><span class="label">52</span><span class="content">Abimelek went to the tower and attacked it. But as he approached the entrance to the tower to set it on fire, </span></span><span class="verse v53" data-usfm="JDG.9.53"><span class="label">53</span><span class="content">a woman dropped an upper millstone on his head and cracked his skull.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v53" data-usfm="JDG.9.53"></span><span class="verse v54" data-usfm="JDG.9.54"><span class="label">54</span><span class="content">Hurriedly he called to his armor-bearer, &#8220;Draw your sword and kill me, so that they can&#8217;t say, &#8216;A woman killed him.&#8217;&#8198;&#8221; So his servant ran him through, and he died. </span></span><span class="verse v55" data-usfm="JDG.9.55"><span class="label">55</span><span class="content">When the Israelites saw that Abimelek was dead, they went home.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v55" data-usfm="JDG.9.55"></span><span class="verse v56" data-usfm="JDG.9.56"><span class="label">56</span><span class="content">Thus God repaid the wickedness that Abimelek had done to his father by murdering his seventy brothers. </span></span><span class="verse v57" data-usfm="JDG.9.57"><span class="label">57</span><span class="content">God also made the people of Shechem pay for all their wickedness. The curse of Jotham son of Jerub-Baal came on them.</span></span></div>
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