And the sonsof Israelwere sorryfor their brotherBenjaminand said,"Onetribeis cutofffrom Israeltoday.
Then Abnercalledto Joaband said,"Shall the sworddevourforever?Do you not knowthat it will be bitterin the end?Howlongwill you refrainfrom tellingthe peopleto turnbackfrom followingtheir brothers?"
Howcan I giveyou up, O Ephraim?How can I surrenderyou, O Israel?Howcan I makeyou like Admah?How can I treatyou like Zeboiim?My heartis turnedoverwithinMe, AllMy compassionsare kindled.
When he sawher, he torehis clothesand said,"Alas,my daughter!You have broughtme verylow,and you are among those who troubleme; for I have givenmy wordto the LORD,and I cannottake[it] back."
The sonsof Israelwentup and weptbeforethe LORDuntilevening,and inquiredof the LORD,saying,"Shall we againdrawnearfor battleagainstthe sonsof my brotherBenjamin?"And the LORDsaid,"Goup againsthim."
And the peoplewere sorryfor Benjaminbecausethe LORDhad madea breachin the tribesof Israel.
Then the sonsof Israelsaid,"Whois there amongallthe tribesof Israelwhodid not comeup in the assemblyto the LORD?"For they had takena greatoathconcerning him whodid not comeup to the LORDat Mizpah,saying,"He shall surelybe putto death."
"Whatshall we dofor wivesfor thosewho are left,since we have swornby the LORDnot to givethem anyof our daughtersin marriage?"
