²³ The Israelites went up and wept before the Lord^(A) until evening,^(B) and they inquired of the Lord.^(C) They said, “Shall we go up again to fight^(D) against the Benjamites, our fellow Israelites?”

The Lord answered, “Go up against them.”

²⁶ Then all the Israelites, the whole army, went up to Bethel, and there they sat weeping before the Lord.^(A) They fasted^(B) that day until evening and presented burnt offerings^(C) and fellowship offerings^(D) to the Lord.^{(E) 27} And the Israelites inquired of the Lord.^(F) (In those days the ark of the covenant of God^(G) was there,

⁶ Then Joshua tore his clothes^(A) and fell facedown^(B) to the ground before the ark of the Lord, remaining there till evening.^(C) The elders of Israel^(D) did the same, and sprinkled dust^(E) on their heads.

¹⁸ The Israelites went up to Bethel^[a](A) and inquired of God.^(B) They said, “Who of us is to go up first^(C) to fight^(D) against the Benjamites?”

The Lord replied, “Judah^(E) shall go first.”