Then Jephthahgatheredallthe menof Gileadand foughtEphraim;and the menof GileaddefeatedEphraim,becausethey said,"You are fugitivesof Ephraim,O Gileadites,in the midstof Ephraim[and] in the midstof Manasseh."
Now Elijahthe Tishbite,who was of the settlersof Gilead,saidto Ahab,"As the LORD,the Godof Israellives,beforewhomI stand,surelythere shall be neitherdewnor raintheseyears,exceptby my word."
Hear,O our God,howwe are despised!Returntheir reproachon their own headsand givethem up for plunderin a landof captivity.
The sonsof Ephraimwere archersequippedwith bows,[Yet] they turnedbackin the dayof battle.
An evilmanis ensnaredby the transgressionof his lips,But the righteouswill escapefrom trouble.
A gentleanswerturnsawaywrath,But a harshwordstirsup anger.
The eldersof Gileadsaidto Jephthah,"The LORDis witnessbetweenus; surelywe will doas you have said."
"When I sawthat you would not deliver[me], I tookmy lifein my handsand crossedoveragainstthe sonsof Ammon,and the LORDgavethem into my hand.Whythen have you comeup to me thisdayto fightagainst me?"
The Gileaditescapturedthe fordsof the Jordanopposite Ephraim.And it happenedwhen[any of] the fugitivesof Ephraimsaid,"Let me crossover,"the menof Gileadwould sayto him, "Are you an Ephraimite?"If he said,"No,"
But NabalansweredDavid'sservantsand said,"Whois David?And whois the sonof Jesse?There are manyservantstodaywho are eachbreakingawayfrom his master.
