Judges 16 – Bible | Equip God’s People

World English Bible Classic

^[1] Samson went to Gaza, and saw there a prostitute, and went in to her. ^[2] The Gazites were told, “Samson is here!” They surrounded him and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, “Wait until morning light; then we will kill him.” ^[3] Samson lay until midnight, then arose at midnight and took hold of the doors of the gate of the city, with the two posts, and plucked them up, bar and all, and put them on his shoulders and carried them up to the top of the mountain that is before Hebron. ^[4] It came to pass afterward that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. ^[5] The lords of the Philistines came up to her and said to her, “Entice him, and see in which his great strength lies, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him; and we will each give you eleven hundred pieces of silver.” ^[6] Delilah said to Samson, “Please tell me where your great strength lies, and what you might be bound to afflict you.” ^[7] Samson said to her, “If they bind me with seven green cords that were never dried, then shall I become weak, and be as another man.” ^[8] Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven green cords which had not been dried, and she bound him with them. ^[9] Now she had an ambush waiting in the inner room. She said to him, “The Philistines are on you, Samson!” He broke the cords as a flax thread is broken when it touches the fire. So his strength was not known. ^[10] Delilah said to Samson, “Behold, you have mocked me, and told me lies. Now please tell me how you might be bound.” ^[11] He said to her, “If they only bind me with new ropes with which no work has been done, then shall I become weak, and be as another man.” ^[12] So Delilah took new ropes and bound him with them, then said to him, “The Philistines are on you, Samson!” The ambush was waiting in the inner room. He broke them off his arms like a thread. ^[13] Delilah said to Samson, “Until now, you have mocked me and told me lies. Tell me with what you might be bound.”He said to her, “If you weave the seven locks of my head with the fabric on the loom.” ^[14] She fastened it with the pin, and said to him, “The Philistines are on you, Samson!” He awakened out of his sleep, and plucked away the pin of the beam and the fabric. ^[15] She said to him, “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when your heart is not with me? You have mocked me these three times, and have not told me where your great strength lies.” ^[16] When she pressed him daily with her words and urged him, his soul was troubled to death. ^[17] He told her all his heart and said to her, “No razor has ever come on my head; for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If I am shaved, then my strength will go from me and I will become weak, and be like any other man.” ^[18] When Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, “Come up this once, for he has told me all his heart.” Then the lords of the Philistines came up to her and brought the money in their hand. ^[19] She made him sleep on her knees; and she called for a man and shaved off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him. ^[20] She said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!”He awoke out of his sleep, and said, “I will go out as at other times, and shake myself free.” But he didn’t know that Yahweh had departed from him. ^[21] The Philistines laid hold on him and put out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza and bound him with fetters of bronze; and he ground at the mill in the prison. ^[22] However, the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaved. ^[23] The lords of the Philistines gathered together to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god, and to rejoice; for they said, “Our god has delivered Samson our enemy into our hand.” ^[24] When the people saw him, they praised their god; for they said, “Our god has delivered our enemy and the destroyer of our country, who has slain many of us, into our hand.” ^[25] When their hearts were merry, they said, “Call for Samson, that he may entertain us.” They called for Samson out of the prison; and he performed before them. They set him between the pillars; ^[26] and Samson said to the boy who held him by the hand, “Allow me to feel the pillars on which the house rests, that I may lean on them.” ^[27] Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were on the roof about three thousand men and women, who saw while Samson performed. ^[28] Samson called to Yahweh, and said, “Lord Yahweh, remember me, please, and strengthen me, please, only this once, God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.” ^[29] Samson took hold of the two middle pillars on which the house rested and leaned on them, the one with his right hand and the other with his left. ^[30] Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” He bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell on the lords, and on all the people who were in it. So the dead that he killed at his death were more than those who he killed in his life. ^[31] Then his brothers and all the house of his father came down and took him, and brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the burial site of Manoah his father. He judged Israel twenty years.

King James Version

^[1] Then wentH3212(QalImpf) SamsonH8123 to Gaza,H5804 and sawH7200(QalImpf) there an harlot,H802 and went inH935(QalImpf) unto her. ^[2] [And it was told] the Gazites,H5841 saying,H559(QalInf) SamsonH8123 is comeH935(QalPerf) hither. And they compassed [him] in,H5437(QalImpf) and laid waitH693(QalImpf) for him all nightH3915 in the gateH8179 of the city,H5892 and were quietH2790(HithImpf) all the night,H3915 saying,H559(QalInf) In the morning,H1242 when it is day,H216 we shall killH2026(QalPerf) him. ^[3] And SamsonH8123 layH7901(QalImpf) till midnight,H2677 and aroseH6965(QalImpf) at midnight,H2677 and tookH270(QalImpf) the doorsH1817 of the gateH8179 of the city,H5892 and the twoH8147 posts,H4201 and went awayH5265(QalImpf) with them, barH1280 and all, and putH7760(QalImpf) [them] upon his shoulders,H3802 and carried them upH5927(HiphImpf) to the topH7218 of an hillH2022 that [is] beforeH6440 Hebron.H2275 ^[4] And it came to pass afterward,H310 that he lovedH157(QalImpf) a womanH802 in the valleyH5158 of Sorek,H7796 whose nameH8034 [was] Delilah.H1807 ^[5] And the lordsH5633 of the PhilistinesH6430 came upH5927(QalImpf) unto her, and saidH559(QalImpf) unto her, EnticeH6601(PielImpv) him, and seeH7200(QalImpv) wherein his greatH1419 strengthH3581 [lieth], and by what [means] we may prevailH3201(QalImpf) against him, that we may bindH631(QalPerf) him to afflictH6031(PielInf) him: and we will giveH5414(QalImpf) thee every oneH376 of us eleven hundredH505 [pieces] of silver.H3701 ^[6] And DelilahH1807 saidH559(QalImpf) to Samson,H8123 TellH5046(HiphImpv) me, I pray thee, wherein thy greatH1419 strengthH3581 [lieth], and wherewith thou mightest be boundH631(NiphImpf) to afflictH6031(PielInf) thee. ^[7] And SamsonH8123 saidH559(QalImpf) unto her, If they bindH631(QalImpf) me with sevenH7651 greenH3892 withsH3499 that were never dried,H2717(PualPerf) then shall I be weak,H2470(QalPerf) and be as anotherH259 man.H120 ^[8] Then the lordsH5633 of the PhilistinesH6430 brought upH5927(HiphImpf) to her sevenH7651 greenH3892 withsH3499 which had not been dried,H2717(PualPerf) and she boundH631(QalImpf) him with them. ^[9] Now [there were] men lying in wait,H693(QalActPtc) abidingH3427(QalActPtc) with her in the chamber.H2315 And she saidH559(QalImpf) unto him, The PhilistinesH6430 [be] upon thee, Samson.H8123 And he brakeH5423(PielImpf) the withs,H3499 as a threadH6616 of towH5296 is brokenH5423(NiphImpf) when it touchethH7306(HiphInf) the fire.H784 So his strengthH3581 was not known.H3045(NiphPerf) ^[10] And DelilahH1807 saidH559(QalImpf) unto Samson,H8123 Behold, thou hast mockedH2048(PielPerf) me, and toldH1696(PielImpf) me lies:H3577 now tellH5046(HiphImpv) me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound.H631(NiphImpf) ^[11] And he saidH559(QalImpf) unto her, If they bindH631(QalImpf) me fastH631(QalInf) with newH2319 ropesH5688 that never were occupied,H4399 then shall I be weak,H2470(QalPerf) and be as anotherH259 man.H120 ^[12] DelilahH1807 therefore tookH3947(QalImpf) newH2319 ropes,H5688 and boundH631(QalImpf) him therewith, and saidH559(QalImpf) unto him, The PhilistinesH6430 [be] upon thee, Samson.H8123 And [there were] liers in waitH693(QalActPtc) abidingH3427(QalActPtc) in the chamber.H2315 And he brakeH5423(PielImpf) them from off his armsH2220 like a thread.H2339 ^[13] And DelilahH1807 saidH559(QalImpf) unto Samson,H8123 HithertoH2008 thou hast mockedH2048(PielPerf) me, and toldH1696(PielImpf) me lies:H3577 tellH5046(HiphImpv) me wherewith thou mightest be bound.H631(NiphImpf) And he saidH559(QalImpf) unto her, If thou weavestH707(QalImpf) the sevenH7651 locksH4253 of my headH7218 with the web.H4545 ^[14] And she fastenedH8628(QalImpf) [it] with the pin,H3489 and saidH559(QalImpf) unto him, The PhilistinesH6430 [be] upon thee, Samson.H8123 And he awakedH3364(QalImpf) out of his sleep,H8142 and went awayH5265(QalImpf) with the pinH3489 of the beam,H708 and with the web.H4545 ^[15] And she saidH559(QalImpf) unto him, HowH349 canst thou say,H559(QalImpf) I loveH157(QalPerf) thee, when thine heartH3820 [is] not with me? thou hast mockedH2048(PielPerf) me these threeH7969 times,H6471 and hast not toldH5046(HiphPerf) me wherein thy greatH1419 strengthH3581 [lieth]. ^[16] And it came to pass, when she pressedH6693(HiphPerf) him dailyH3117 with her words,H1697 and urgedH509(PielImpf) him, [so] that his soulH5315 was vexedH7114(QalImpf) unto death;H4191(QalInf) ^[17] That he toldH5046(HiphImpf) her all his heart,H3820 and saidH559(QalImpf) unto her, There hath not comeH5927(QalPerf) a razorH4177 upon mine head;H7218 for I [have been] a NazariteH5139 unto GodH430 from my mother’sH517 womb:H990 if I be shaven,H1548(PualPerf) then my strengthH3581 will goH5493(QalPerf) from me, and I shall become weak,H2470(QalPerf) and be like any [other] man.H120 ^[18] And when DelilahH1807 sawH7200(QalImpf) that he had toldH5046(HiphPerf) her all his heart,H3820 she sentH7971(QalImpf) and calledH7121(QalImpf) for the lordsH5633 of the Philistines,H6430 saying,H559(QalInf) Come upH5927(QalImpv) this once,H6471 for he hath shewedH5046(HiphPerf) me all his heart.H3820 Then the lordsH5633 of the PhilistinesH6430 came upH5927(QalPerf) unto her, and broughtH5927(HiphImpf) moneyH3701 in their hand.H3027 ^[19] And she made him sleepH3462(PielImpf) upon her knees;H1290 and she calledH7121(QalImpf) for a man,H376 and she caused him to shave offH1548(PielImpf) the sevenH7651 locksH4253 of his head;H7218 and she beganH2490(HiphImpf) to afflictH6031(PielInf) him, and his strengthH3581 wentH5493(QalImpf) from him. ^[20] And she said,H559(QalImpf) The PhilistinesH6430 [be] upon thee, Samson.H8123 And he awokeH3364(QalImpf) out of his sleep,H8142 and said,H559(QalImpf) I will go outH3318(QalImpf) as at other times before,H6471 and shakeH5287(NiphImpf) myself. And he wistH3045(QalPerf) not that the LordH3068 was departedH5493(QalPerf) from him. ^[21] But the PhilistinesH6430 tookH270(QalImpf) him, and put outH5365(PielImpf) his eyes,H5869 and brought him downH3381(HiphImpf) to Gaza,H5804 and boundH631(QalImpf) him with fetters of brass;H5178 and he did grindH2912(QalActPtc) in the prisonH631(QalPasPtc) house.H1004 ^[22] Howbeit the hairH8181 of his headH7218 beganH2490(HiphImpf) to grow againH6779(PielInf) afterH834 he was shaven.H1548(PualPerf) ^[23] Then the lordsH5633 of the PhilistinesH6430 gathered them togetherH622(NiphPerf) for to offerH2076(QalInf) a greatH1419 sacrificeH2077 unto DagonH1712 their god,H430 and to rejoice:H8057 for they said,H559(QalImpf) Our godH430 hath deliveredH5414(QalPerf) SamsonH8123 our enemyH341(QalActPtc) into our hand.H3027 ^[24] And when the peopleH5971 sawH7200(QalImpf) him, they praisedH1984(PielImpf) their god:H430 for they said,H559(QalPerf) Our godH430 hath deliveredH5414(QalPerf) into our handsH3027 our enemy,H341(QalActPtc) and the destroyerH2717(HiphPtc) of our country,H776 which slewH2491 manyH7235(HiphPerf) of us. ^[25] And it came to pass, when their heartsH3820 were merry,H2896 that they said,H559(QalImpf) CallH7121(QalImpv) for Samson,H8123 that he may make us sport.H7832(PielImpf) And they calledH7121(QalImpf) for SamsonH8123 out of the prisonH631(QalPasPtc) house;H1004 and he made themH6440 sport:H6711(PielImpf) and they setH5975(HiphImpf) him between the pillars.H5982 ^[26] And SamsonH8123 saidH559(QalImpf) unto the ladH5288 that heldH2388(HiphPtc) him by the hand,H3027 SufferH3240(HiphImpv) me that I may feelH4184(HiphImpv/Qere) the pillarsH5982 whereupon the houseH1004 standeth,H3559(NiphPtc) that I may leanH8172(NiphImpf) upon them. ^[27] Now the houseH1004 was fullH4390(QalPerf) of menH582 and women;H802 and all the lordsH5633 of the PhilistinesH6430 [were] there; and [there were] upon the roofH1406 about threeH7969 thousandH505 menH376 and women,H802 that beheldH7200(QalActPtc) while SamsonH8123 made sport.H7832(QalInf) ^[28] And SamsonH8123 calledH7121(QalImpf) unto the Lord,H3068 and said,H559(QalImpf) O LordH136 God,H3069 rememberH2142(QalImpv) me, I pray thee, and strengthenH2388(PielImpv) me, I pray thee, only this once,H6471 O God,H430 that I may be at onceH259 avengedH5358(NiphImpf) of the PhilistinesH6430 for my twoH8147 eyes.H5869 ^[29] And SamsonH8123 took holdH3943(QalImpf) of the twoH8147 middleH8432 pillarsH5982 upon which the houseH1004 stood,H3559(NiphPtc) and on which it was borne up,H5564(NiphImpf) of the oneH259 with his right hand,H3225 and of the otherH259 with his left.H8040 ^[30] And SamsonH8123 said,H559(QalImpf) Let me dieH4191(QalImpf) with the Philistines.H6430 And he bowedH5186(QalImpf) himself with [all his] might;H3581 and the houseH1004 fellH5307(QalImpf) upon the lords,H5633 and upon all the peopleH5971 that [were] therein. So the deadH4191(QalPtc) which he slewH4191(HiphPerf) at his deathH4194 were moreH7227 than [they] which he slewH4191(HiphPerf) in his life.H2416 ^[31] Then his brethrenH251 and all the houseH1004 of his fatherH1 came down,H3381(QalImpf) and tookH5375(QalImpf) him, and brought [him] up,H5927(QalImpf) and buriedH6912(QalImpf) him between ZorahH6881 and EshtaolH847 in the buryingplaceH6913 of ManoahH4495 his father.H1 And he judgedH8199(QalPerf) IsraelH3478 twentyH6242 years.H8141

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