They senttherefore and gatheredallthe lordsof the Philistinesand said,"Sendawaythe arkof the Godof Israel,and let it returnto its own place,sothat it will not killus and our people."For there was a deadlyconfusionthroughoutthe city;the handof Godwas veryheavythere.
Pharaoh'sservantssaidto him, "Howlongwill thisman be a snareto us? Letthe mengo,that they may servethe LORDtheir God.Do you not realizethat Egyptis destroyed?"
So they sentthe arkof Godto Ekron.And as the arkof Godcameto Ekronthe Ekronitescriedout, saying,"They have broughtthe arkof the Godof Israelaroundto us, to killus and our people."
Now the handof the LORDwas heavyon the Ashdodites,and He ravagedthem and smotethem with tumors,both Ashdodand its territories.
"So you shall makelikenessesof your tumorsand likenessesof your micethat ravagethe land,and you shall givegloryto the Godof Israel;perhapsHe will easeHis handfrom you, your gods,and your land.
