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Judges 18
Christian Standard Bible
Judges 18
Christian Standard Bible
Dan’s Invasion and Idolatry
18 In those days, there was no king in Israel,(A) and the Danite tribe was looking for territory to occupy.(B) Up to that time no territory had been captured by them among the tribes of Israel. 2 So the Danites sent out five brave men(C) from all their clans, from Zorah and Eshtaol,(D) to scout(E) out the land and explore it. They told them, “Go and explore the land.”
They came to the hill country of Ephraim as far as the home of Micah and spent the night there. 3 While they were near Micah’s home, they recognized the accent of the young Levite. So they went over to him and asked, “Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? What is keeping you here?”
4 He told them, “This is what Micah has done for me: He has hired me, and I became his priest.”
5 Then they said to him, “Please inquire of God(F) for us to determine if we will have a successful journey.”
6 The priest told them, “Go in peace. The Lord is watching over the journey you are going on.”
7 The five men left and came to Laish. They saw that the people who were there were living securely, in the same way as the Sidonians, quiet and unsuspecting. There was nothing lacking[a] in the land and no oppressive ruler. They were far from the Sidonians, having no alliance with anyone.[b]
8 When the men went back to their relatives at Zorah and Eshtaol,(G) their relatives asked them, “What did you find out?”
9 They answered, “Come on, let’s attack them, for we have seen the land, and it is very good. Why wait? Don’t hesitate to go and invade and take possession of the land! 10 When you get there, you will come to an unsuspecting people and a spacious land, for God has handed it over to you. It is a place where nothing on earth is lacking.”(H) 11 Six hundred Danites departed from Zorah and Eshtaol armed with weapons of war. 12 They went up and camped at Kiriath-jearim(I) in Judah. This is why the place is still called the Camp of Dan[c] today; it is west of Kiriath-jearim. 13 From there they traveled to the hill country of Ephraim and arrived at Micah’s house.
14 The five men who had gone to scout out the land of Laish told their brothers, “Did you know that there are an ephod, household gods, and a carved image and a silver idol[d] in these houses? Now think about what you should do.” 15 So they detoured there and went to the house of the young Levite at the home of Micah and greeted him. 16 The six hundred Danite men were standing by the entrance of the city gate, armed with their weapons of war. 17 Then the five men who had gone to scout out the land went in and took the carved image, the ephod, the household idols, and the silver idol,[e] while the priest was standing by the entrance of the city gate with the six hundred men armed with weapons of war.
18 When they entered Micah’s house and took the carved image, the ephod, the household idols, and the silver idol, the priest said to them, “What are you doing?”
19 They told him, “Be quiet. Keep your mouth shut.[f](J) Come with us and be a father and a priest to us. Is it better for you to be a priest for the house of one person or for you to be a priest for a tribe and family in Israel?” 20 So the priest was pleased and took the ephod, household idols, and carved image, and went with the people. 21 They prepared to leave, putting their dependents, livestock, and possessions in front of them.
22 After they were some distance from Micah’s house, the men who were in the houses near it were mustered and caught up with the Danites. 23 They called to the Danites, who turned to face them, and said to Micah, “What’s the matter with you that you mustered the men?”
24 He said, “You took the gods I had made and the priest, and went away. What do I have left? How can you say to me, ‘What’s the matter with you?’”
25 The Danites said to him, “Don’t raise your voice against us, or angry men will attack you, and you and your family will lose your lives.” 26 The Danites went on their way, and Micah turned to go back home, because he saw that they were stronger than he was.
27 After they had taken the gods Micah had made and the priest that belonged to him, they went to Laish, to a quiet and unsuspecting people. They killed them with their swords and burned the city.(K) 28 There was no one to rescue them(L) because it was far from Sidon and they had no alliance with anyone. It was in a valley that belonged to Beth-rehob. They rebuilt the city and lived in it. 29 They named the city Dan, after the name of their ancestor Dan, who was born to Israel. The city was formerly named Laish.
30 The Danites set up the carved image for themselves. Jonathan son of Gershom, son of Moses,[g] and his sons were priests for the Danite tribe until the time of the exile from the land.(M) 31 So they set up for themselves Micah’s carved image that he had made, and it was there as long as the house of God was in Shiloh.(N)
Thẩm Phán 18
New Vietnamese Bible
Thẩm Phán 18
New Vietnamese Bible
Người Đan Cướp Hình Tượng Và Định Cư Ở La-ít
18 Trong lúc đó Y-sơ-ra-ên không có vua. Và trong lúc đó bộ tộc Đan đang tìm kiếm một nơi để định cư, bởi vì đối với các bộ tộc của Y-sơ-ra-ên thì họ chưa nhận được sản nghiệp. 2 Vậy người Đan ở Xô-ra và Ê-ta-ôn sai năm dũng sĩ đi do thám và thăm dò xứ. Những người này đại diện cho các tộc họ trong cả bộ tộc. Người Đan bảo họ: “Hãy đi thăm dò xứ.” Những người này đến vùng cao nguyên Ép-ra-im và vào nhà của Mi-ca, để nghỉ đêm tại đó. 3 Đang khi họ ở gần nhà Mi-ca thì nghe giọng nói của chàng thanh niên Lê-vi. Họ bèn đến đó và hỏi chàng: “Ai dẫn anh đến đây? Anh làm gì ở đây? Tại sao anh ở đây?”
4 Chàng nói cho họ biết Mi-ca đã đối với chàng như thế nọ thế kia, và nói tiếp: “Mi-ca đã mướn tôi làm thầy tế lễ cho ông ấy.” 5 Họ liền hỏi anh: “Xin anh hãy cầu vấn Đức Chúa Trời xem chúng tôi đi chuyến này có thành công chăng?” 6 Thầy tế lễ đáp: “Hãy đi bình an. Mắt CHÚA đoái xem chuyến đi này của quý ông.” 7 Vậy năm người ấy lên đường đến La-ít; tại đó họ thấy dân tình sống an lành, như dân Si-đôn, bình lặng, không phòng bị gì cả; xứ ấy không thiếu món gì và rất trù phú. Hơn nữa, họ sống xa cách với dân Si-đôn và cũng không có liên hệ gì với ai. 8 Khi họ trở về lại Xô-ra và Ê-ta-ôn, thì anh em của họ hỏi: “Các ngươi thăm dò thấy thế nào?” 9 Họ đáp: “Chúng ta hãy đến tấn công họ. Chúng tôi đã thấy xứ ấy rồi, quả là một xứ thật tốt. Bộ anh em không tính làm gì sao? Đừng ngần ngại đến đó và chiếm lấy xứ. 10 Khi anh em đến đó, anh em sẽ thấy một dân không phòng bị gì cả, và xứ thì rộng rãi, Đức Chúa Trời quả sẽ ban nó vào tay chúng ta. Thật là một xứ chẳng thiếu món gì trên đất.” 11 Bấy giờ sáu trăm người Đan, trang bị đầy đủ vũ khí ra trận, từ Xô-ra và Ê-ta-ôn ra đi. 12 Dọc đường họ đóng trại tại Ki-ri-át Giê-a-rim trong miền Giu-đa. Đó là lý do tại sao người ta gọi phía tây của Ki-ri-át Giê-a-rim là “Trại của Đan” cho đến ngày nay. 13 Từ đó họ tiến đến cao nguyên Ép-ra-im, rồi đến nhà của Mi-ca. 14 Năm người đã đi do thám xứ nói với các anh em của họ: “Anh em có biết rằng trong mấy căn nhà này có một cái ê-phót, một số tượng gia thần, một hình tượng và một pho tượng không? Bây giờ anh em biết làm gì rồi phải không?” 15 Vậy họ đến đó và vào nhà của chàng thanh niên Lê-vi, tức là nhà của Mi-ca và chào chàng. 16 Sáu trăm người Đan, trang bị đầy đủ vũ khí ra trận, đứng ở ngoài cổng. 17 Năm người đã đi do thám xứ vào trong lấy hình tượng, cái ê-phót, những tượng gia thần, và một pho tượng, trong khi thầy tế lễ và sáu trăm người trang bị đầy đủ vũ khí ra trận, đứng ở ngoài cổng. 18 Khi những người ấy vào trong nhà Mi-ca lấy hình tượng, cái ê-phót, những tượng gia thần, và một pho tượng, thì thầy tế lễ hỏi họ: “Các ông tính làm gì vậy?” 19 Họ bảo chàng: “Hãy im lặng! Xin lấy tay bịt miệng lại. Hãy theo chúng tôi, làm cha và làm thầy tế lễ của chúng tôi. Làm thầy tế lễ cho một bộ tộc và một tộc họ trong Y-sơ-ra-ên không tốt hơn là chỉ phục vụ cho một gia đình sao?” 20 Thầy tế lễ liền hoan hỉ chấp nhận. Người ấy lấy cái ê-phót, các tượng gia thần, và tấm hình tượng, rồi đi theo đoàn người ấy. 21 Người Đan sắp xếp cho các trẻ em, súc vật, và tài sản đi trước, rồi họ quay trở ra tiếp tục lên đường. 22 Khi họ đã đi được một khoảng xa, những người trong nhà Mi-ca và xóm giềng của Mi-ca hiệp nhau lại và đuổi theo người Đan. 23 Khi họ đến gần và kêu la đằng sau, người Đan liền quay lại và hỏi Mi-ca: “Ngươi có chuyện gì vậy? Ngươi nhóm hiệp những kẻ này đuổi theo là có ý gì?”
24 Mi-ca đáp: “Các ngươi cướp lấy những tượng thần của ta làm nên và bắt luôn thầy tế lễ của ta nữa. Vậy mà bây giờ các người còn hỏi: ‘Ngươi có chuyện gì vậy’ sao?”
25 Người Đan đáp với Mi-ca: “Ngươi đừng để chúng ta nghe tiếng của ngươi nữa, kẻo những kẻ nóng tính trong chúng ta tấn công ngươi, rồi ngươi và cả nhà ngươi sẽ mất mạng chăng.” 26 Vậy người Đan tiếp tục lên đường; còn Mi-ca, khi thấy họ mạnh hơn ông, ông quay lại và trở về nhà.
27 Rồi người Đan lấy những gì Mi-ca đã có, luôn cả thầy tế lễ của ông, và tiến đến La-ít, hãm đánh một dân sống an lành và không phòng bị. Họ dùng gươm đánh giết dân ấy và phóng hỏa đốt thành. 28 Chẳng có ai đến tiếp cứu dân ấy, vì họ sống cách xa Si-đôn và vì họ cũng không giao thiệp với ai. Thành ấy nằm trong thung lũng gần Bết Rê-hóp. Người Đan xây lại thành và định cư ở đó. 29 Họ đặt tên thành ấy là Đan, theo tên của con trai Y-sơ-ra-ên, tộc trưởng của họ, mặc dù thành ấy vốn được gọi là La-ít. 30 Tại đây người Đan lập cho họ những hình tượng, rồi lập Giô-na-than, con trai của Ghẹt-sôn, cháu của Môi-se, và hậu tự ông làm thầy tế lễ cho bộ tộc Đan cho đến khi xứ bị chiếm. 31 Họ tiếp tục thờ lạy những thần tượng do Mi-ca làm ra, trọn thời gian đền tạm của Đức Chúa Trời ở tại Si-lô.
Judges 18
New International Version
Judges 18
New International Version
The Danites Settle in Laish
18 In those days Israel had no king.(A)
And in those days the tribe of the Danites was seeking a place of their own where they might settle, because they had not yet come into an inheritance among the tribes of Israel.(B) 2 So the Danites(C) sent five of their leading men(D) from Zorah and Eshtaol to spy out(E) the land and explore it. These men represented all the Danites. They told them, “Go, explore the land.”(F)
So they entered the hill country of Ephraim and came to the house of Micah,(G) where they spent the night. 3 When they were near Micah’s house, they recognized the voice of the young Levite;(H) so they turned in there and asked him, “Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? Why are you here?”
4 He told them what Micah had done for him, and said, “He has hired me and I am his priest.(I)”
5 Then they said to him, “Please inquire of God(J) to learn whether our journey will be successful.”
6 The priest answered them, “Go in peace(K). Your journey has the Lord’s approval.”
7 So the five men(L) left and came to Laish,(M) where they saw that the people were living in safety, like the Sidonians, at peace and secure.(N) And since their land lacked nothing, they were prosperous.[a] Also, they lived a long way from the Sidonians(O) and had no relationship with anyone else.[b]
8 When they returned to Zorah and Eshtaol, their fellow Danites asked them, “How did you find things?”
9 They answered, “Come on, let’s attack them! We have seen the land, and it is very good. Aren’t you going to do something? Don’t hesitate to go there and take it over.(P) 10 When you get there, you will find an unsuspecting people and a spacious land that God has put into your hands, a land that lacks nothing(Q) whatever.(R)”
11 Then six hundred men(S) of the Danites,(T) armed for battle, set out from Zorah and Eshtaol. 12 On their way they set up camp near Kiriath Jearim(U) in Judah. This is why the place west of Kiriath Jearim is called Mahaneh Dan[c](V) to this day. 13 From there they went on to the hill country of Ephraim and came to Micah’s house.(W)
14 Then the five men who had spied out the land of Laish(X) said to their fellow Danites, “Do you know that one of these houses has an ephod,(Y) some household gods and an image overlaid with silver?(Z) Now you know what to do.” 15 So they turned in there and went to the house of the young Levite at Micah’s place and greeted him. 16 The six hundred Danites,(AA) armed for battle, stood at the entrance of the gate. 17 The five men who had spied out the land went inside and took the idol, the ephod and the household gods(AB) while the priest and the six hundred armed men(AC) stood at the entrance of the gate.
18 When the five men went into Micah’s house and took(AD) the idol, the ephod and the household gods,(AE) the priest said to them, “What are you doing?”
19 They answered him, “Be quiet!(AF) Don’t say a word. Come with us, and be our father and priest.(AG) Isn’t it better that you serve a tribe and clan(AH) in Israel as priest rather than just one man’s household?” 20 The priest was very pleased. He took the ephod, the household gods and the idol and went along with the people. 21 Putting their little children, their livestock and their possessions in front of them, they turned away and left.
22 When they had gone some distance from Micah’s house, the men who lived near Micah were called together and overtook the Danites. 23 As they shouted after them, the Danites turned and said to Micah, “What’s the matter with you that you called out your men to fight?”
24 He replied, “You took(AI) the gods I made, and my priest, and went away. What else do I have? How can you ask, ‘What’s the matter with you?’”
25 The Danites answered, “Don’t argue with us, or some of the men may get angry and attack you, and you and your family will lose your lives.” 26 So the Danites went their way, and Micah, seeing that they were too strong for him,(AJ) turned around and went back home.
27 Then they took what Micah had made, and his priest, and went on to Laish, against a people at peace and secure.(AK) They attacked them with the sword and burned(AL) down their city.(AM) 28 There was no one to rescue them because they lived a long way from Sidon(AN) and had no relationship with anyone else. The city was in a valley near Beth Rehob.(AO)
The Danites rebuilt the city and settled there. 29 They named it Dan(AP) after their ancestor Dan, who was born to Israel—though the city used to be called Laish.(AQ) 30 There the Danites set up for themselves the idol, and Jonathan son of Gershom,(AR) the son of Moses,[d] and his sons were priests for the tribe of Dan until the time of the captivity of the land. 31 They continued to use the idol Micah had made,(AS) all the time the house of God(AT) was in Shiloh.(AU)
Footnotes
- Judges 18:7 The meaning of the Hebrew for this clause is uncertain.
- Judges 18:7 Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts with the Arameans
- Judges 18:12 Mahaneh Dan means Dan’s camp.
- Judges 18:30 Many Hebrew manuscripts, some Septuagint manuscripts and Vulgate; many other Hebrew manuscripts and some other Septuagint manuscripts Manasseh
Judges 18
King James Version
Judges 18
King James Version
18 In those days there was no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe of the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell in; for unto that day all their inheritance had not fallen unto them among the tribes of Israel.
2 And the children of Dan sent of their family five men from their coasts, men of valour, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and to search it; and they said unto them, Go, search the land: who when they came to mount Ephraim, to the house of Micah, they lodged there.
3 When they were by the house of Micah, they knew the voice of the young man the Levite: and they turned in thither, and said unto him, Who brought thee hither? and what makest thou in this place? and what hast thou here?
4 And he said unto them, Thus and thus dealeth Micah with me, and hath hired me, and I am his priest.
5 And they said unto him, Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God, that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous.
6 And the priest said unto them, Go in peace: before the Lord is your way wherein ye go.
7 Then the five men departed, and came to Laish, and saw the people that were therein, how they dwelt careless, after the manner of the Zidonians, quiet and secure; and there was no magistrate in the land, that might put them to shame in any thing; and they were far from the Zidonians, and had no business with any man.
8 And they came unto their brethren to Zorah and Eshtaol: and their brethren said unto them, What say ye?
9 And they said, Arise, that we may go up against them: for we have seen the land, and, behold, it is very good: and are ye still? be not slothful to go, and to enter to possess the land.
10 When ye go, ye shall come unto a people secure, and to a large land: for God hath given it into your hands; a place where there is no want of any thing that is in the earth.
11 And there went from thence of the family of the Danites, out of Zorah and out of Eshtaol, six hundred men appointed with weapons of war.
12 And they went up, and pitched in Kirjathjearim, in Judah: wherefore they called that place Mahanehdan unto this day: behold, it is behind Kirjathjearim.
13 And they passed thence unto mount Ephraim, and came unto the house of Micah.
14 Then answered the five men that went to spy out the country of Laish, and said unto their brethren, Do ye know that there is in these houses an ephod, and teraphim, and a graven image, and a molten image? now therefore consider what ye have to do.
15 And they turned thitherward, and came to the house of the young man the Levite, even unto the house of Micah, and saluted him.
16 And the six hundred men appointed with their weapons of war, which were of the children of Dan, stood by the entering of the gate.
17 And the five men that went to spy out the land went up, and came in thither, and took the graven image, and the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image: and the priest stood in the entering of the gate with the six hundred men that were appointed with weapons of war.
18 And these went into Micah's house, and fetched the carved image, the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image. Then said the priest unto them, What do ye?
19 And they said unto him, Hold thy peace, lay thine hand upon thy mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest: is it better for thee to be a priest unto the house of one man, or that thou be a priest unto a tribe and a family in Israel?
20 And the priest's heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and the teraphim, and the graven image, and went in the midst of the people.
21 So they turned and departed, and put the little ones and the cattle and the carriage before them.
22 And when they were a good way from the house of Micah, the men that were in the houses near to Micah's house were gathered together, and overtook the children of Dan.
23 And they cried unto the children of Dan. And they turned their faces, and said unto Micah, What aileth thee, that thou comest with such a company?
24 And he said, Ye have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest, and ye are gone away: and what have I more? and what is this that ye say unto me, What aileth thee?
25 And the children of Dan said unto him, Let not thy voice be heard among us, lest angry fellows run upon thee, and thou lose thy life, with the lives of thy household.
26 And the children of Dan went their way: and when Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back unto his house.
27 And they took the things which Micah had made, and the priest which he had, and came unto Laish, unto a people that were at quiet and secure: and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and burnt the city with fire.
28 And there was no deliverer, because it was far from Zidon, and they had no business with any man; and it was in the valley that lieth by Bethrehob. And they built a city, and dwelt therein.
29 And they called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father, who was born unto Israel: howbeit the name of the city was Laish at the first.
30 And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land.
31 And they set them up Micah's graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
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New Vietnamese Bible (NVB)
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New International Version (NIV) 
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