so will they come out after us, until we have drawn them away from the city, for they will say, Fleeing before us, as at the first! therefore will we flee before them.
For, indeed, man could not know his own time, like fishes which were caught in a cruel net, and like little birds which were caught in a trap,—like them, were ensnared the sons of men, by a time of misfortune, when it fell upon them suddenly.
Because sentence against a wicked work is not executed speedily—on this account, the heart of the sons of men is fully set within them, to commit wickedness.
Then said the sons of Benjamin, They are, being smitten, before us, as at the first. But the sons of Israel had said—Let us flee, and draw them away from the city, into the highways.
But, I, and all the people who are with me, will draw near unto the city,—and it shall be, when they come out to meet us, as at the first, then will we flee before them;