1 When the ark of the Lord had been in Philistine territory for seven months, 2 the Philistines summoned the priests and the diviners  * and pleaded, "What should we do with the ark of the Lord? Tell us how we can send it back to its place."

3 They replied, "If you send the ark of Israel’s God away, do not send it without an offering.  * Send back a guilt offering to him,  * and you will be healed. Then the reason his hand hasn’t been removed from you will be revealed."  *