Add parallel Print Page Options

Jephthah's Daughter

34 When Jephthah returned to his home in Mizpah, the first one to meet him was his daughter. She was playing a tambourine and dancing to celebrate his victory, and she was his only child.

35 (A) “Oh no!” Jephthah cried. Then he tore his clothes in sorrow and said to his daughter, “I made a sacred promise to the Lord, and I must keep it. Your coming out to meet me has broken my heart.”

36 “Father,” she said, “you made a sacred promise to the Lord, and he let you defeat the Ammonites. Now, you must do what you promised, even if it means I must die.

Read full chapter

34 When Jephthah returned to his home in Mizpah, who should come out to meet him but his daughter, dancing(A) to the sound of timbrels!(B) She was an only child.(C) Except for her he had neither son nor daughter. 35 When he saw her, he tore his clothes(D) and cried, “Oh no, my daughter! You have brought me down and I am devastated. I have made a vow to the Lord that I cannot break.(E)

36 “My father,” she replied, “you have given your word to the Lord. Do to me just as you promised,(F) now that the Lord has avenged you(G) of your enemies,(H) the Ammonites.

Read full chapter