MLV(i)
1 Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valor and he was the son of a prostitute and Gilead fathered Jephthah.
2 And Gilead's wife bore sons to him. And when his wife's sons grew up, they drove out Jephthah and said to him, You will not inherit in our father's house, for you are the son of another woman.
3 Then Jephthah fled from his brothers and dwelt in the land of Tob. And vain fellows were gathered to Jephthah and they went out with him.
4 And it happened after a while, that the sons of Ammon made war against Israel. 5 And it was so, that, when the sons of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah out of the land of Tob. 6 And they said to Jephthah, Come and be our chief, that we may fight with the sons of Ammon.
7 And Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, Did you* not hate me and drive me out of my father's house? And why have you* come to me now when you* are in distress? 8 And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, For that reason we turned again to you now, that you may go with us and fight with the sons of Ammon. And you will be our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.
9 And Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, If you* bring me home again to fight with the sons of Ammon and Jehovah delivers them before me, shall I be your* head? 10 And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, Jehovah will be witness between us. Surely according to your word so will we do. 11 Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead and the people made him head and chief over them. And Jephthah spoke all his words before Jehovah in Mizpah.
12 And Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the sons of Ammon, saying, What have you to do with me, that you have come to me to fight against my land?
4 And it happened after a while, that the sons of Ammon made war against Israel. 5 And it was so, that, when the sons of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah out of the land of Tob. 6 And they said to Jephthah, Come and be our chief, that we may fight with the sons of Ammon.
7 And Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, Did you* not hate me and drive me out of my father's house? And why have you* come to me now when you* are in distress? 8 And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, For that reason we turned again to you now, that you may go with us and fight with the sons of Ammon. And you will be our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.
9 And Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, If you* bring me home again to fight with the sons of Ammon and Jehovah delivers them before me, shall I be your* head? 10 And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, Jehovah will be witness between us. Surely according to your word so will we do. 11 Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead and the people made him head and chief over them. And Jephthah spoke all his words before Jehovah in Mizpah.
12 And Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the sons of Ammon, saying, What have you to do with me, that you have come to me to fight against my land?