1. And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that a certain Levite, sojourning on the further side of mount Ephraim, took him a concubine out of Bethlehem-Judah.
2. And his concubine played the whore against him, and went away from him to her father's house to Bethlehem-Judah, and was there some time, --four months.
3. And her husband rose up and went after her, to speak kindly to her, to bring her again; and his servant was with him, and a couple of asses. And she brought him into her father's house; and when the father of the damsel saw him he rejoiced to meet him.
4. And his father-in-law, the damsel's father, retained him, and he abode with him three days; and they ate and drank, and lodged there.
5. And it came to pass on the fourth day, that they arose early in the morning, and he rose up to depart; and the damsel's father said to his son-in-law, Refresh thy heart with a morsel of bread, and afterwards ye may go your way.