New American Bible, Revised Edition

Judges 20:27-34 New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)

27. The Israelites consulted the Lord (for the ark of the covenant of the Lord was there in those days,

28. and Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron, was standing in his presence in those days), and asked, “Shall I again go out to battle with my brother Benjamin, or shall I stop?” The Lord said: Attack! For tomorrow I will deliver him into your power.

29. So Israel set men in ambush around Gibeah.

30. When the Israelites went up against the Benjaminites on the third day, they drew up against Gibeah as on other occasions.

31. When the Benjaminites marched out to meet the army, they began, as on other occasions, to strike down some of the troops along the highways, one of which goes up to Bethel and one to Gibeah in the open country; about thirty Israelites were slain.

32. The Benjaminites thought, “They are routed before us as previously.” The Israelites, however, were thinking, “We will flee and draw them out from the city onto the highways.”

33. And then all the men of Israel rose from their places, forming up at Baal-tamar, and the Israelites in ambush rushed from their place west of Gibeah

34. and advanced against Gibeah with ten thousand picked men from all Israel. The fighting was severe, but no one knew that a disaster was closing in.