Jeremiah 6
1 ହେ ବିନ୍ଯାମୀନ ସନ୍ତାନଗଣ, ତୁମ୍ଭମାନେେ ରକ୍ଷା ପାଇବା ପାଇଁ ୟିରୁଶାଲମରୁ ପଳାଯନ କର। ତିକୋଯ ନଗର ରେ ତୂରୀ ବଜାଅ ଓ ବୈଥହକରମେ ରେ ଧ୍ବଜା ଟକେ। କାରଣ ଉତ୍ତର ଦିଗରୁ ଅମଙ୍ଗଳ ଓ ମହାବିନାଶ ଆସୁଅଛି।
2 ହେ ସୁନ୍ଦରୀ ଓ ସୁକୁମାରୀ ସିୟୋନ କନ୍ଯା, ଆମ୍ଭେ ତୁମ୍ଭକୁ ଧ୍ବଂସ କରିବା।
3 ମଷେପାଳକମାନେ ଆପଣା ଆପଣା ପଲ ସଙ୍ଗ ରେ ନଇେ ତାହା ପାଖକୁ ଆସିବେ, ସମାନେେ ତାହା ବିରୁଦ୍ଧ ରେ ଚତୁର୍ଦ୍ଦିଗ ରେ ନିଜ ନିଜ ତମ୍ବୁ ସ୍ଥାପନ କରିବେ। ପ୍ରେତ୍ୟକକ ନିଜ ନିଜ ସ୍ଥାନ ରେ ପଲ ଚରାଇବେ।
4 ତୁମ୍ଭମାନେେ ୟିରୁଶାଲମ ବିରୁଦ୍ଧ ରେ ୟୁଦ୍ଧ ପାଇଁ ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତ ହୁଅ। ଉଠ, ଆମ୍ଭମାନେେ ମଧ୍ଯାହ୍ନ ରେ ଆକ୍ରମଣ କରିବା। ହାୟ, କାରଣ ଦିନର ଅବସାନ ହେଉଅଛି। ସନ୍ଧ୍ଯାକାଳର ଛାଯା ଦୀର୍ଘ ହେଉଅଛି।
5 ତେଣୁ ଉଠ, ଆସ ଆମ୍ଭମାନେେ ରାତ୍ରି ରେ ଆକ୍ରମଣ କରିବା ଓ ରାଜପ୍ରାସାଦଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ଧ୍ବଂସ କରିବା।
6 କାରଣ ସୈନ୍ଯାଧିପତି ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ଏହା କହନ୍ତି, ବୃକ୍ଷସବୁ କାଟ ଏବଂ ରାସ୍ତାରୋଧକ କାଠଗଣ୍ଡି ୟିରୁଶାଲମ ବିରୁଦ୍ଧ ରେ ନିର୍ମାଣ କର। ସହେି ନଗର ପ୍ରତିଫଳ ପାଇବାର ଯୋଗ୍ଯ। ତାହାର ଭିତର ସୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଉପଦ୍ରବମଯ।
7 ଯେପରି କୂପ ତା'ର ଜଳକୁ ସତଜେ ରେଖ, ସହେିପରି ୟିରୁଶାଲମ ତା'ର ଦୁଷ୍ଟତା ସତଜେ ରେଖ। ତାହାରି ମଧିଅରେ ଦୌରାତ୍ମ୍ଯ ଓ ଅପହରଣ ଶୁଣାୟାଏ। ପୁଣି ପୀଡ଼ା ଓ କ୍ଷତ ନିରନ୍ତର ଆମ୍ଭ ସାକ୍ଷାତ ରେ ଥାଏ।
8 ହେ ୟିରୁଶାଲମ, ଆମ୍ଭର ଶିକ୍ଷା ଗ୍ରହଣ କର। ତୁମ୍ଭେ ଯଦି ଆମ୍ଭ କଥା ନ ଶୁଣ, ତବେେ ଆମ୍ଭେ ବିରକ୍ତି ରେ ତୁମ୍ଭ ପାଖରୁ ଦୂ ରଇେ ୟିବା। ଆମ୍ଭେ ତୁମ୍ଭର ଦେଶକୁ ଏକ ମରୁଭୂମି ଓ ଜନଶୂନ୍ଯ ରେ ପରିଣତ କରିବା।
9 ସୈନ୍ଯାଧିପତି ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ଏହା କହନ୍ତି, ଦ୍ରାକ୍ଷା ସଂଗ୍ରହ କଲାପରି ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ଅବଶିଷ୍ଟ ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କୁ ସୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଭାବରେ ଏକତ୍ରୀତ କର : ଏହାର ଶାଖା ରେ ହାତ ବୁଲାଅ।
10 ମୁଁ କାହାକୁ କହିବି ? କାହାକୁ ମୁଁ ସତର୍କ କରିବି ? କିଏ ବା ମାେ କଥା ଶୁଣିବ ? ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ଲୋକମାନେ ସମାନଙ୍କେର କର୍ଣ୍ଣ ବନ୍ଦ କରିଛନ୍ତି, ତେଣୁ ସମାନେେ ମାେ କଥା ଶୁଣି ପାରନ୍ତି ନାହିଁ। ସମାନେେ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ବାକ୍ଯ ଶୁଣିବାକୁ ଆଗ୍ରହ କରନ୍ତି ନାହିଁ। ତାଙ୍କର ବାର୍ତ୍ତା ଶୁଣିବାକୁ ଇଚ୍ଛା କରନ୍ତି ନାହିଁ।
11 ଏଣୁ ମୁଁ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ କୋରଧ ରେ ପରିପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ହାଇେଅଛି ଓ ମୁଁ ତାହା ଧରି ରଖିବା ରେ କ୍ଲାନ୍ତ ହାଇେଅଛି। ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ କୋର୍ଧକୁ ରାସ୍ତା ରେ କ୍ରୀଡ଼ାରତ ପିଲାମାନଙ୍କ ଉପ ରେ ଢ଼ାଳି ପକାଅ ଓ ସଭା ରେ ଏକତ୍ରୀତ ହାଇେଥିବା ୟୁବକମାନଙ୍କ ଉପ ରେ ଢ଼ାଳିଦିଅ, କାରଣ ସ୍ବାମୀ, ସ୍ତ୍ରୀ, ବୃଦ୍ଧ ଓ ବଯସ୍କ ସମସ୍ତେ ଧରାଯିବେ।
12 ଆଉ ସମାନଙ୍କେ ଗୃହ, ସମାନଙ୍କେର କ୍ଷେତ୍ର ଓ ସମାନଙ୍କେର ସ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଅନ୍ୟମାନଙ୍କୁ ଦିଆୟିବ। କାରଣ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ କହନ୍ତି ଆମ୍ଭେ ଯିହୁଦାର ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କୁ ଶାସ୍ତି ଦବୋ ପାଇଁ ଆମ୍ଭର ହସ୍ତ ସମାନଙ୍କେ ଉପ ରେ ବିସ୍ତାର କରିବା।
13 ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର େଛାଟରୁ ବଡ଼ ପର୍ୟ୍ଯନ୍ତ ସମସ୍ତ ଲୋକ ଲୋଭାସକ୍ତ। ଆଉ ଭବିଷ୍ଯଦବକ୍ତାଠାରୁ ଯାଜକ ପର୍ୟ୍ଯନ୍ତ ପ୍ରେତ୍ୟକକ ମିଥ୍ଯାଚାରୀ।
14 ଯଦିଓ ଆମ୍ଭର ଲୋକମାନେ ଗମ୍ଭୀର ଭାବରେ ଆଘାତପ୍ରାପ୍ତ ହାଇେ ଅଛନ୍ତି, ସମାନେେ ଏହା କହି ସମାନଙ୍କେୁ ଆରୋଗ୍ୟ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ଚେଷ୍ଟା କରନ୍ତି। ଏଠା ରେ 'ଶାନ୍ତି' ଅଛି, ଯେତବେେଳେ ସଠାେ ରେ ଆଦୌ ଶାନ୍ତି ନାହିଁ।
15 ଯାଜକ ଓ ଭବିଷ୍ଯଦବକ୍ତାମାନେ ଘୃଣ୍ଯକର୍ମ କଲେ ମଧ୍ଯ ଲଜ୍ଜିତ ନୁହଁନ୍ତି। ସମାନେେ ସମାନଙ୍କେର ଦୁଷ୍କର୍ମ ପାଇଁ ମୁଖ ବିବର୍ଣ୍ଣ କଲେ ନାହିଁ। ତେଣୁ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ କହନ୍ତି, ସମାନେେ ପତିତମାନଙ୍କ ମଧିଅରେ ପତିତ ହବେେ ଓ ଆମ୍ଭେ ସେସାନଙ୍କୁ ପ୍ରତିଫଳ ଦବୋ ବେଳେ ସମାନେେ ନିପାତିତ ହବେେ।
16 ପୁଣି ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ କହନ୍ତି, ତୁମ୍ଭମାନେେ ଛକସ୍ଥାନ ରେ ଛିଡ଼ା ହାଇେ ଦେଖ, ଆଉ ପୁରାତନ ପଥ ବିଷଯ ରେ ପ୍ରଚାର କରି କୁହ, ଉତ୍ତମ ପଥ କାହିଁ ? ଆଉ ସହେି ପଥରେ ଗମନ କର, ତାହା ହେଲେ ତୁମ୍ଭମାନେେ ନିଜ ନିଜ ପ୍ରାଣ ରେ ବିଶ୍ରାମ ପାଇବ। ମାତ୍ର ସମାନେେ କହିଲେ, 'ଆମ୍ଭମାନେେ ସେ ପଥରେ ଗମନ କରିବୁ ନାହିଁ।'
17 ଆମ୍ଭେ ତୁମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କ ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ଯ ରେ ପ୍ରହରୀ ନିରୁକ୍ତ କରି କହିଲୁ, 'ତୁରୀର ଶବ୍ଦ ଶୁଣ।' ମାତ୍ର ସମାନେେ କହିଲେ, 'ଆମ୍ଭମାନେେ ଶୁଣିବୁ ନାହିଁ।'
18 ତେଣୁ ହେ ନାନାଦେଶୀଯମାନେ, ତୁମ୍ଭମାନେେ ଶୁଣ, ଆଉ ହେ ମଣ୍ଡଳୀ, ସମାନଙ୍କେର କ'ଣ ହବୋକୁ ଯାଉଛି, ହୃଦଯଙ୍ଗମ କର।
19 ହେ ପୃଥିବୀବାସୀ ଶୁଣ, ଆଉ ଦେଖ, ଆମ୍ଭେ ଏହି ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କ ଉପ ରେ ଅମଙ୍ଗଳ ଆଣିବା। କାରଣ ସମାନେେ ଆମ୍ଭ ବାକ୍ଯ ରେ ଅବଧାନ କରିନାହାନ୍ତି ଓ ଆମ୍ଭର ବ୍ଯବସ୍ଥାକୁ ଅମାନ୍ଯ କରିଅଛନ୍ତି।
20 ପୁଣି ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ କହନ୍ତି, ଶିବା ଦେଶରୁ ଧୂପ ଓ ଦୂର ଦେଶରୁ ସୁଗନ୍ଧି ବତେ ଆଣିବାର ଫଳ କଅଣ ? ତୁମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କର ହାମବେଳି ସବୁ ଗ୍ରହଣୀଯ ନୁହେଁ କିଅବା ତୁମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କର ବଳିଦାନସବୁ ଆମ୍ଭର ତୁଷ୍ଟିଜନକ ନୁହେଁ।
21 ତେଣୁ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ କହନ୍ତି, ଦେଖ, ଆମ୍ଭେ ଏହି ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କ ଆଗ ରେ ନାନା ବିଘ୍ନ ରଖିବା। ଯାହା ଫଳ ରେ ପିତୃଗଣ ଓ ପୁତ୍ରଗଣ ଏକ ସଙ୍ଗ ରେ ଝୁଣ୍ଟି ପଡ଼ିବେ ଓ ପ୍ରତିବେଶୀ ଓ ତାଙ୍କର ମିତ୍ର ବିନଷ୍ଟ ହବେେ।
22 ଆଉ ମଧ୍ଯ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ଏହିକଥା କହନ୍ତି, ଦେଖ ଉତ୍ତର ଦିଗରୁ ଏକ ସୈନ୍ଯବାହିନୀ ଆସୁଛନ୍ତି ଓ ପୃଥିବୀର ପ୍ରାନ୍ତ ଭାଗରୁ ଏକ ମହା ଗୋଷ୍ଠୀ ଉତ୍ତଜେିତ ହବେେ।
23 ସମାନେେ ଧନୁ ଓ ବର୍ଚ୍ଛା ଧରନ୍ତି, ସମାନେେ ନିଷ୍ଠୁର ଓ ନିର୍ଦ୍ଦଯ। ସମାନେେ ସମୁଦ୍ର ପରି ଗର୍ଜନ କରନ୍ତି। ଆଉ ସମାନେେ ଅଶ୍ବାରୋହଣ କରନ୍ତି। ଆଗୋ ସିୟୋନର କନ୍ଯା, ତୁମ୍ଭ ବିରୁଦ୍ଧ ରେ ୟୁଦ୍ଧ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ସମାନଙ୍କେର ପ୍ରେତ୍ୟକକ ଯୋଦ୍ଧା ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତ ହେଉଅଛନ୍ତି।
24 ଆମ୍ଭମାନେେ ସହେି ସୈନ୍ଯବାହିନୀ ବିଷଯ ରେ ଏକ ଜନରବ ଶୁଣିଅଛୁ। ଆମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କର ହସ୍ତ ଦୁର୍ବଳ ହୁଏ, ୟନ୍ତ୍ରଣା ଓ ପ୍ରସବକାରିଣୀ ସ୍ତ୍ରୀର ବଦନୋ ତୁଲ୍ଯ ବଦନୋ ଆମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କୁ ଆକ୍ରାନ୍ତ କରେ।
25 ଘରୁ ବାହାରି କ୍ଷେତ୍ରକୁ ୟାଅ ନାହିଁ କିଅବା ରାସ୍ତା ରେ ଗମନ କର ନାହିଁ। କାରଣ ଚାରିଆଡ଼େ ଶତ୍ରୁର ଖଡ୍ଗ ଓ ଆଶଙ୍କା ରହିଛି।
26 ହେ ମାରେ ଲୋକମାନେ, ତୁମ୍ଭମାନେେ ଚଟବସ୍ତ୍ର ପରିଧାନ କର, ଭସ୍ମ ରେ ଗଡ଼, ଏକମାତ୍ର ପୁତ୍ରର ମୃତ୍ଯୁ ରେ ଶୋକ କଲାପରି ଶୋକ କର। ଅତିଶଯ ବିଳାପ କର। କାରଣ ଆମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କୁ ବିନାଶକାରୀ ଅକସ୍ମାତ ଆକ୍ରମଣ କରିବ।
27 ହେ ଯିରିମିୟ, ଆମ୍ଭେ ତୁମ୍ଭକୁ ଜଣେ ପରୀକ୍ଷକ ଓ ନିର୍ମଳ ରୂପେ ନିୟୁକ୍ତ କରିଅଛୁ, ତୁମ୍ଭେ ଯେପରି ମାେ ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କୁ ପରୀକ୍ଷା କରି ସମାନଙ୍କେର ପଥ ଜ୍ଞାତ ହାଇପୋରିବ।
28 ସମାନେେ ଅତ୍ଯନ୍ତ ଅବାଧ୍ଯ, ଚାରିଆଡ଼େ ସମାନେେ ନିନ୍ଦାଗାନ କରନ୍ତି। ସମାନେେ ପିତ୍ତଳ ଓ ଲୁହାପରି, ସମାନେେ ସମସ୍ତେ ଦୁର୍ନୀତିଗ୍ରସ୍ତ ଭାବରେ କାମ କରନ୍ତି।
29 ସମାନେେ ଭାଟିକୁ ପ୍ରଚଣ୍ଡରୂପେ ଉତ୍ତପ୍ତ କରି ସେଥିରୁ ସୀସା ଖାଦ ବାହାର କରି ଏହାକୁ ବିଶୁଦ୍ଧ କରିବାକୁ ଚେଷ୍ଟା କରୁଛନ୍ତି। ମାତ୍ର ସମାନେେ ବୃଥା ଚେଷ୍ଟା କରୁଛନ୍ତି କାରଣ ଦୁଷ୍ଟମାନେ ଏଠାରୁ ଉତ୍ପାଟିତ ହେଉ ନାହାନ୍ତି।
30 ଲୋକେ ସମାନଙ୍କେୁ 'ପରିତ୍ଯକ୍ତା ରୂପା' ବୋଲି କହିବେ କାରଣ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ସମାନଙ୍କେୁ ପରିତ୍ଯାଗ କରିଅଛନ୍ତି।
1 O ye children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and set up a sign of fire in Beth-haccerem: for evil appeareth out of the north, and great destruction.
2 I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate woman.
3 The shepherds with their flocks shall come unto her; they shall pitch their tents against her round about; they shall feed every one in his place.
4 Prepare ye war against her; arise, and let us go up at noon. Woe unto us! for the day goeth away, for the shadows of the evening are stretched out.
5 Arise, and let us go by night, and let us destroy her palaces.
6 For thus hath the Lord of hosts said, Hew ye down trees, and cast a mount against Jerusalem: this is the city to be visited; she is wholly oppression in the midst of her.
7 As a fountain casteth out her waters, so she casteth out her wickedness: violence and spoil is heard in her; before me continually is grief and wounds.
8 Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee; lest I make thee desolate, a land not inhabited.
9 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, They shall throughly glean the remnant of Israel as a vine: turn back thine hand as a grapegatherer into the baskets.
10 To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the Lord is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it.
11 Therefore I am full of the fury of the Lord; I am weary with holding in: I will pour it out upon the children abroad, and upon the assembly of young men together: for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with him that is full of days.
12 And their houses shall be turned unto others, with their fields and wives together: for I will stretch out my hand upon the inhabitants of the land, saith the Lord.
13 For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.
14 They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.
15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord.
16 Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
17 Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.
18 Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them.
19 Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.
20 To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.
21 Therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will lay stumblingblocks before this people, and the fathers and the sons together shall fall upon them; the neighbour and his friend shall perish.
22 Thus saith the Lord, Behold, a people cometh from the north country, and a great nation shall be raised from the sides of the earth.
23 They shall lay hold on bow and spear; they are cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roareth like the sea; and they ride upon horses, set in array as men for war against thee, O daughter of Zion.
24 We have heard the fame thereof: our hands wax feeble: anguish hath taken hold of us, and pain, as of a woman in travail.
25 Go not forth into the field, nor walk by the way; for the sword of the enemy and fear is on every side.
26 O daughter of my people, gird thee with sackcloth, and wallow thyself in ashes: make thee mourning, as for an only son, most bitter lamentation: for the spoiler shall suddenly come upon us.
27 I have set thee for a tower and a fortress among my people, that thou mayest know and try their way.
28 They are all grievous revolters, walking with slanders: they are brass and iron; they are all corrupters.
29 The bellows are burned, the lead is consumed of the fire; the founder melteth in vain: for the wicked are not plucked away.
30 Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the Lord hath rejected them.
1 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord: and the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.
2 And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds.
3 And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them;
4 And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass.
5 For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number: and they entered into the land to destroy it.
6 And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the Lord.
7 And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord because of the Midianites,
8 That the Lord sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage;
9 And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave you their land;
10 And I said unto you, I am the Lord your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice.
11 And there came an angel of the Lord, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abi-ezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.
12 And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.
13 And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? but now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.
14 And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?
15 And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.
16 And the Lord said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.
17 And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me.
18 Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and bring forth my present, and set it before thee. And he said, I will tarry until thou come again.
19 And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour: the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out unto him under the oak, and presented it.
20 And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so.
21 Then the angel of the Lord put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the Lord departed out of his sight.
22 And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the Lord, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord God! for because I have seen an angel of the Lord face to face.
23 And the Lord said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.
24 Then Gideon built an altar there unto the Lord, and called it Jehovah-shalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abi-ezrites.
25 And it came to pass the same night, that the Lord said unto him, Take thy father’s young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it:
26 And build an altar unto the Lord thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down.
27 Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the Lord had said unto him: and so it was, because he feared his father’s household, and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night.
28 And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was cut down that was by it, and the second bullock was offered upon the altar that was built.
29 And they said one to another, Who hath done this thing? And when they inquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing.
30 Then the men of the city said unto Joash, Bring out thy son, that he may die: because he hath cast down the altar of Baal, and because he hath cut down the grove that was by it.
31 And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning: if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar.
32 Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him, because he hath thrown down his altar.
33 Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east were gathered together, and went over, and pitched in the valley of Jezreel.
34 But the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him.
35 And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; who also was gathered after him: and he sent messengers unto Asher, and unto Zebulun, and unto Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.
36 And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said,
37 Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said.
38 And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water.
39 And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew.
40 And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.