² He and all his men went to Baalah^[a](A) in Judah to bring up from there the ark^(B) of God, which is called by the Name,^[b](C) the name of the Lord Almighty, who is enthroned^(D) between the cherubim^(E) on the ark.

² The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength^(A) has saved me.’

¹⁶ For I am going to raise up a shepherd over the land who will not care for the lost, or seek the young, or heal the injured, or feed the healthy, but will eat the meat of the choice sheep, tearing off their hooves.

² I went in response to a revelation^(A) and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles.^(B) I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race^(C) in vain.