1 Nesse tempo, em que ainda não havia rei em Israel, houve um homem da tribo de Levi, que vivia num extremo da região das colinas de Efraim, que levou para sua casa uma rapariga de Belém para ficar a viver com ele como concubina. 2 A certa altura, porém, ela abandonou-o por outro e regressou para casa do pai, em Belém, ficando lá por uns quatro meses. 3 O marido, acompanhado dum criado, preparou-se para ir a Belém; aparelhou também mais um jumento que levou sem ninguém; o seu intuito era trazer a rapariga de volta para casa. Quando chegou, ela recebeu-o, apresentou-o ao pai e mostrou-se alegre por tornar a vê-lo. 4 O pai pediu-lhe muito que ficasse e ele aceitou, ficando três dias, mostrando-se satisfeitos por estarem juntos.

5 No quarto dia levantaram-se cedo, prontos para partir, mas o pai insistiu para que tomassem ao menos alguma coisa antes da viagem. 6 Entretanto, fez pressão sobre ele para que ficasse mais um dia, visto que tinham passado um bom tempo juntos. 7 A princípio o levita recusou, mas o pai da moça tanto insistiu que ele acabou por aceitar. 8 Na manhã seguinte, tornaram a levantar-se cedo e novamente o pai insistiu: "Fiquem mais hoje e partam esta tarde, ao fim do dia." E foi mais um dia de festa lá em casa.

9 De tarde, quando o casal e o criado se preparavam para a viagem, chegou-se outra vez o pai: "Não veem que já é tarde. Fiquem mais esta noite. Fazemos um belo serão e amanhã cedo podem iniciar a viagem."

10 Contudo, desta vez partiram mesmo, tendo chegado a Jebus, que é Jerusalém, já muito tarde, com os dois jumentos aparelhados. 11 O criado disse-lhe: "Já é muito tarde para viajar; fiquemos aqui esta noite."

12 "Não. Não podemos ficar aqui numa cidade pagã, onde não há ninguém israelita. Vamos continuar até Gibeá 13 ou mesmo, se possível, até Ramá." 14 E assim continuaram a viagem. O Sol tinha-se posto há muito quando atingiram Gibeá, uma povoação da tribo de Benjamim. 15 Por isso, resolveram entrar e passar ali a noite; mas como ninguém os convidou para recebê-los em casa, decidiram dormir ali mesmo na praça.

16 Nessa altura, chegou-se um homem idoso, que regressava do trabalho no campo, a caminho de casa. Era originário das colinas de Efraim, mas vivia agora em Gibeá, apesar daquele ser o território de Benjamim. 17 Quando viu os viajantes acampados em plena praça, perguntou-lhes donde eram e para onde iam.

18 "Vimos de Belém, na Judeia", respondeu o levita. "Vivo no extremo da região das colinas de Efraim, porém agora vou à casa do Senhor. Ficámos aqui porque ninguém fez o gesto de nos acolher para passar a noite, 19 ainda que tenhamos alimento suficiente para os nossos jumentos e comida e vinho que baste para nós próprios."

20 "Não se preocupem, serão meus hóspedes; aqui é que não vão ficar, pois é demasiado perigoso." 21 E levou-os para casa. Deu de comer aos animais e depois todos jantaram juntos.

22 Na alegria daquele convívio, um bando de gente pervertida começou a juntar-se em frente da casa, batendo na porta e gritando para o velho, o dono da casa, que trouxesse para fora o homem que estava com eles, para que o possuíssem.

23 O homem idoso veio cá fora falar com eles: "Não, meus irmãos, não façam um tal ato de tamanha loucura! Ele é meu hóspede. 24 Levem a minha filha, que é virgem, e a mulher dele. Trago-as aqui e façam delas o que quiserem, mas não levem por diante uma coisas dessas com este homem."

25 Os outros contudo não aceitaram. Então o levita trouxe a sua concubina para fora e empurrou-a para junto deles; e aquela gente abusou dela a noite inteira. 26 De madrugada deixaram-na. Ela arrastou-se até à entrada da casa e ali ficou até o dia clarear.

27 Quando o levita abriu a porta para seguir viagem, viu-a caída, com as mãos sobre o limiar. 28 "Levanta-te", disse-lhe, "vamos embora." Mas não obteve resposta; estava morta. Então pô-la sobre o jumento e levou-a para casa.

29 Chegado ao seu destino pegou num cutelo, partiu o corpo em pedaços, e enviou um pedaço a cada uma das tribos de Israel. 30 A nação inteira ficou escandalizada. "Nunca se ouviu falar num crime assim, desde que Israel saiu do Egito", dizia toda a gente. "Temos de fazer alguma coisa!"

1 And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Beth-lehem-judah.*19.1 a concubine: Heb. a woman a concubine, or, a wife a concubine 2 And his concubine played the whore against him, and went away from him unto her father’s house to Beth-lehem-judah, and was there four whole months.*19.2 four whole months: or, a year and four month: Heb. days, four months 3 And her husband arose, and went after her, to speak friendly unto her, and to bring her again, having his servant with him, and a couple of asses: and she brought him into her father’s house: and when the father of the damsel saw him, he rejoiced to meet him.*19.3 friendly…: Heb. to her heart 4 And his father in law, the damsel’s father, retained him; and he abode with him three days: so they did eat and drink, and lodged there.

5 And it came to pass on the fourth day, when they arose early in the morning, that he rose up to depart: and the damsel’s father said unto his son in law, Comfort thine heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward go your way.*19.5 Comfort: Heb. Strengthen 6 And they sat down, and did eat and drink both of them together: for the damsel’s father had said unto the man, Be content, I pray thee, and tarry all night, and let thine heart be merry. 7 And when the man rose up to depart, his father in law urged him: therefore he lodged there again. 8 And he arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart: and the damsel’s father said, Comfort thine heart, I pray thee. And they tarried until afternoon, and they did eat both of them.*19.8 until afternoon: Heb. till the day declined 9 And when the man rose up to depart, he, and his concubine, and his servant, his father in law, the damsel’s father, said unto him, Behold, now the day draweth toward evening, I pray you tarry all night: behold, the day groweth to an end, lodge here, that thine heart may be merry; and to morrow get you early on your way, that thou mayest go home.*19.9 draweth: Heb. is weak*19.9 the day groweth to an end: Heb. it is the pitching time of the day*19.9 home: Heb. to thy tent 10 But the man would not tarry that night, but he rose up and departed, and came over against Jebus, which is Jerusalem; and there were with him two asses saddled, his concubine also was with him.*19.10 over against: Heb. to over against 11 And when they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant said unto his master, Come, I pray thee, and let us turn in into this city of the Jebusites, and lodge in it. 12 And his master said unto him, We will not turn aside hither into the city of a stranger, that is not of the children of Israel; we will pass over to Gibeah. 13 And he said unto his servant, Come, and let us draw near to one of these places to lodge all night, in Gibeah, or in Ramah. 14 And they passed on and went their way; and the sun went down upon them when they were by Gibeah, which belongeth to Benjamin. 15 And they turned aside thither, to go in and to lodge in Gibeah: and when he went in, he sat him down in a street of the city: for there was no man that took them into his house to lodging.

16 And, behold, there came an old man from his work out of the field at even, which was also of mount Ephraim; and he sojourned in Gibeah: but the men of the place were Benjamites. 17 And when he had lifted up his eyes, he saw a wayfaring man in the street of the city: and the old man said, Whither goest thou? and whence comest thou? 18 And he said unto him, We are passing from Beth-lehem-judah toward the side of mount Ephraim; from thence am I: and I went to Beth-lehem-judah, but I am now going to the house of the LORD; and there is no man that receiveth me to house.*19.18 receiveth: Heb. gathereth 19 Yet there is both straw and provender for our asses; and there is bread and wine also for me, and for thy handmaid, and for the young man which is with thy servants: there is no want of any thing. 20 And the old man said, Peace be with thee; howsoever let all thy wants lie upon me; only lodge not in the street. 21 So he brought him into his house, and gave provender unto the asses: and they washed their feet, and did eat and drink.

22 Now as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at the door, and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him. 23 And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, and said unto them, Nay, my brethren, nay, I pray you, do not so wickedly; seeing that this man is come into mine house, do not this folly. 24 Behold, here is my daughter a maiden, and his concubine; them I will bring out now, and humble ye them, and do with them what seemeth good unto you: but unto this man do not so vile a thing.*19.24 so vile…: Heb. the matter of this folly 25 But the men would not hearken to him: so the man took his concubine, and brought her forth unto them; and they knew her, and abused her all the night until the morning: and when the day began to spring, they let her go. 26 Then came the woman in the dawning of the day, and fell down at the door of the man’s house where her lord was, till it was light. 27 And her lord rose up in the morning, and opened the doors of the house, and went out to go his way: and, behold, the woman his concubine was fallen down at the door of the house, and her hands were upon the threshold. 28 And he said unto her, Up, and let us be going. But none answered. Then the man took her up upon an ass, and the man rose up, and gat him unto his place.

29 And when he was come into his house, he took a knife, and laid hold on his concubine, and divided her, together with her bones, into twelve pieces, and sent her into all the coasts of Israel. 30 And it was so, that all that saw it said, There was no such deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto this day: consider of it, take advice, and speak your minds.