²² “Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill those you have captured^(A) with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.”

²⁰ On the contrary:

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

²² And to you I give one more ridge of land^[a](A) than to your brothers,^(B) the ridge I took from the Amorites with my sword^(C) and my bow.”

⁸ The men of Israel took captive from their fellow Israelites who were from Judah^(A) two hundred thousand wives, sons and daughters. They also took a great deal of plunder, which they carried back to Samaria.^(B)

⁹ But a prophet of the Lord named Oded was there, and he went out to meet the army when it returned to Samaria. He said to them, “Because the Lord, the God of your ancestors, was angry^(C) with Judah, he gave them into your hand. But you have slaughtered them in a rage that reaches to heaven.^{(D) 10} And now you intend to make the men and women of Judah and Jerusalem your slaves.^(E) But aren’t you also guilty of sins against the Lord your God? ¹¹ Now listen to me! Send back your fellow Israelites you have taken as prisoners, for the Lord’s fierce anger rests on you.^(F)”

¹² Then some of the leaders in Ephraim—Azariah son of Jehohanan, Berekiah son of Meshillemoth, Jehizkiah son of Shallum, and Amasa son of Hadlai—confronted those who were arriving from the war. ¹³ “You must not bring those prisoners here,” they said, “or we will be guilty before the Lord. Do you intend to add to our sin and guilt? For our guilt is already great, and his fierce anger rests on Israel.”

¹⁴ So the soldiers gave up the prisoners and plunder in the presence of the officials and all the assembly. ¹⁵ The men designated by name took the prisoners, and from the plunder they clothed all who were naked. They provided them with clothes and sandals, food and drink,^(G) and healing balm. All those who were weak they put on donkeys. So they took them back to their fellow Israelites at Jericho, the City of Palms,^(H) and returned to Samaria.^(I)

¹¹ If they accept and open their gates, all the people in it shall be subject^(A) to forced labor^(B) and shall work for you. ¹² If they refuse to make peace and they engage you in battle, lay siege to that city. ¹³ When the Lord your God delivers it into your hand, put to the sword all the men in it.^{(C) 14} As for the women, the children, the livestock^(D) and everything else in the city,^(E) you may take these as plunder^(F) for yourselves. And you may use the plunder the Lord your God gives you from your enemies. ¹⁵ This is how you are to treat all the cities that are at a distance^(G) from you and do not belong to the nations nearby.

¹⁶ However, in the cities of the nations the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, do not leave alive anything that breathes.^(H)

⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,^(A)

⁷ Yet I will show love to Judah; and I will save them—not by bow,^(A) sword or battle, or by horses and horsemen, but I, the Lord their God,^(B) will save them.”