⁴ Then Gideon came to the Jordan and crossed over, he and the three hundred who were with him, exhausted but still pursuing. ⁵ So he said to the people of Succoth, “Please give some loaves of bread to my followers, for they are exhausted, and I am pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.”^{(A) 6} But the officials of Succoth said, “Do you already have in your possession the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna, that we should give bread to your army?”^{(B) 7} Gideon replied, “Well then, when the Lord has given Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, I will trample your flesh on the thorns of the wilderness and on briers.”^{(C) 8} From there he went up to Penuel and made the same request of them, and the people of Penuel answered him as the people of Succoth had answered.^{(D) 9} So he said to the people of Penuel, “When I come back victorious, I will break down this tower.”^(E)