Part 143 (2/2)
21:38. All the cities of the children of Merari by their families and kindreds, were twelve.
21:39. So all the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty-eight,
21:40. With their suburbs, each distributed by the families.
21:41. And the Lord G.o.d gave to Israel all the land that he had sworn to give to their fathers: and they possessed it, and dwelt in it.
21:42. And he gave them peace from all nations round about: and none of their enemies durst stand against them, but were brought under their dominion.
21:43. Not so much as one word, which he had promised to perform unto them, was made void, but all came to pa.s.s.
Josue Chapter 22
The tribes of Ruben and Gad, and half the tribe of Mana.s.ses return to their possessions. They build an altar by the side of the Jordan, which alarms the other tribes. An emba.s.sage is sent to them, to which they give a satisfactory answer.
22:1. At the same time Josue called the Rubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Mana.s.ses,
22:2. And said to them: You have done all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you: you have also obeyed me in all things,
22:3. Neither have you left your brethren this long time, until this present day, keeping the commandment of the Lord your G.o.d.
22:4. Therefore as the Lord your G.o.d hath given your brethren rest and peace, as he promised: return, and go to your dwellings, and to the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you beyond the Jordan:
22:5. Yet so that you observe attentively, and in work fulfil the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you: that you love the Lord your G.o.d, and walk in all his ways, and keep all his commandments, and cleave to him, and serve him with all your heart, and with all your soul.
22:6. And Josue blessed them, and sent them away, and they returned to their dwellings.
22:7. Now to half the tribe of Mana.s.ses, Moses had given a possession in Basan: and therefore to the half that remained, Josue gave a lot among the rest of their brethren beyond the Jordan to the west. And when he sent them away to their dwellings and had blessed them,
22:8. He said to them: With much substance and riches, you return to your settlements, with silver and gold, bra.s.s and iron, and variety of raiment: divide the prey of your enemies with your brethren.
22:9. So the children of Ruben, and the children of Gad, and the half tribe of Mana.s.ses returned, and parted from the children of Israel in Silo, which is in Chanaan, to go into Galaad the land of their possession, which they had obtained according to the commandment of the Lord by the hand of Moses.
22:10. And when they were come to banks of the Jordan, in the land of Chanaan, they built an altar immensely great near the Jordan.
22:11. And when the children of Israel had heard of it, and certain messengers brought them an account that the children of Ruben, and of Gad, and the half tribe of Mana.s.ses had built an altar in the land of Chanaan, upon the banks of the Jordan, over against the children of Israel:
22:12. They all a.s.sembled in Silo, to go up and fight against them.
22:13. And in the mean time they sent to them into the land of Galaad, Phinees the son of Eleazar the priest,
22:14. And ten princes with him, one of every tribe.
22:15. Who came to the children of Ruben, and of Gad, and the half tribe of Mana.s.ses, into the land of Galaad, and said to them:
22:16. Thus saith all the people of the Lord: What meaneth this transgression? Why have you forsaken the Lord the G.o.d of Israel, building a sacrilegious altar, and revolting from the wors.h.i.+p of him?
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