The people of the Negev will take possession of Esau’s mountain, and the people of the Shephelah will take possession of the land of the Philistines. They will also take possession of the territory of Ephraim and the territory of Samaria, and the people of Benjamin will take possession of Gilead.

“南地的人必得以扫山；高原的人必得非利士地，也得以法莲地和撒玛利亚地；便雅悯人必得基列。

他们必得尼革夫和以扫山，得谢非拉，非利士人之地，他们必得以法莲地和撒玛利亚地，得便雅悯和基列；

他们必得尼革夫和以扫山，得谢非拉，非利士人之地，他们必得以法莲地和撒玛利亚地，得便雅悯和基列；

“南地的人将占领以扫山；丘陵的人将占领非利士，夺取以法莲和撒玛利亚；便雅悯人将占领基列。

南地的人必占有以扫山，低地的人必占有非利士人之地；他们必占有以法莲的田野和撒玛利亚的田野；便雅悯人必占有基列。

南地的人必得以掃山；高原的人必得非利士地，也得以法蓮地和撒馬利亞地；便雅憫人必得基列。

他們必得尼革夫和以掃山，得謝非拉，非利士人之地，他們必得以法蓮地和撒瑪利亞地，得便雅憫和基列；

他們必得尼革夫和以掃山，得謝非拉，非利士人之地，他們必得以法蓮地和撒瑪利亞地，得便雅憫和基列；

「南地的人將佔領以掃山；丘陵的人將佔領非利士，奪取以法蓮和撒瑪利亞；便雅憫人將佔領基列。

南地的人必佔有以掃山，低地的人必佔有非利士人之地；他們必佔有以法蓮的田野和撒瑪利亞的田野；便雅憫人必佔有基列。

南地之人必擁有以掃山以為業，低原的人必擁有非利士人之地；他們必擁有以法蓮鄉間之地，和撒瑪利亞鄉間之地；便雅憫人必擁有基列。

南土之人、將得以掃山、窪地之人、將得非利士地、其餘將得以法蓮、及撒瑪利亞之田疇、便雅憫將得基列、

南方之人、必得以掃山、平原之民、將據非利士人地、亦得以法蓮、撒馬利亞田疇、便雅憫人將得基列、

南方之人、將得以掃山、居窪地者、將得非利士地、亦得以法蓮地、地原文作田與撒瑪利亞地、地原文作田便雅憫人、將得基列、

People from the Negev will occupy the mountains of Esau, and people from the foothills will possess the land of the Philistines. They will occupy the fields of Ephraim and Samaria, and Benjamin will possess Gilead.

Israelites from the Negev Desert will take over Esau’s mountains. Israelites from the western hills will possess the land of the Philistines. They’ll take over the territories of Ephraim and Samaria. Israelites from the tribe of Benjamin will possess the land of Gilead.

Those of the Negeb shall possess Mount Esau, and those of the Shephelah shall possess the land of the Philistines; they shall possess the land of Ephraim and the land of Samaria, and Benjamin shall possess Gilead.

“ Then my people living in the Negev will occupy the mountains of Edom. Those living in the foothills of Judah will possess the Philistine plains and take over the fields of Ephraim and Samaria. And the people of Benjamin will occupy the land of Gilead.

People from the Negev will possess the hill country of Esau; those from the Judean foothills will possess the land of the Philistines. They will possess the territories of Ephraim and Samaria, while Benjamin will possess Gilead.

Then those of the Negev will possess the mountain of Esau, And those of the Shephelah the Philistine plain; Also, they will possess the territory of Ephraim and the territory of Samaria, And Benjamin the territory of Gilead.

The South shall possess the mountains of Esau, And the Lowland shall possess Philistia. They shall possess the fields of Ephraim And the fields of Samaria. Benjamin shall possess Gilead.

And they of the South shall possess the mount of Esau, and they of the lowland the Philistines; and they shall possess the field of Ephraim, and the field of Samaria; and Benjamin shall possess Gilead.

People from the Negev will possess the hill country of Esau; those from the Judean foothills will possess the land of the Philistines. They will possess the territories of Ephraim and Samaria, while Benjamin will possess Gilead.

And[ they of] the south shall possess the mount of Esau; and[ they of] the plain the Philistines: and they shall possess the fields of Ephraim, and the fields of Samaria: and Benjamin[ shall possess] Gilead.

Those of the South will possess the mountain of Esau, and those of the lowland, the Philistines. They will possess the field of Ephraim, and the field of Samaria. Benjamin will possess Gilead.

Indeed, Gaza will be deserted and Ashkelon will become a heap of ruins. Invaders will drive away the people of Ashdod by noon, and Ekron will be overthrown.Those who live by the sea, the people who came from Crete, are as good as dead. The LORD has decreed your downfall, Canaan, land of the Philistines:“ I will destroy everyone who lives there!”The seacoast will be used as pasture lands by the shepherds and as pens for their flocks.Those who are left from the kingdom of Judah will take possession of it. By the sea they will graze, in the houses of Ashkelon they will lie down in the evening, for the LORD their God will intervene for them and restore their prosperity.

As a result they will conquer those left in Edom and all the nations subject to my rule.” The LORD, who is about to do this, is speaking!

Fields will again be bought with silver, and deeds of purchase signed, sealed, and witnessed. This will happen in the territory of Benjamin, the villages surrounding Jerusalem, the towns in Judah, the southern hill country, the western foothills, and southern Judah. For I will restore them to their land. I, the LORD, affirm it!’”

Edom says,“ Though we are devastated, we will once again build the ruined places.” So the LORD who rules over all responds,“ They indeed may build, but I will overthrow. They will be known as the land of evil, the people with whom the LORD is permanently displeased.Your eyes will see it, and then you will say,‘ May the LORD be magnified even beyond the border of Israel!’”

Then tell them,‘ This is what the sovereign LORD says: Look, I am about to take the Israelites from among the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from round about and bring them to their land.I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel, and one king will rule over them all. They will never again be two nations and never again be divided into two kingdoms.They will not defile themselves with their idols, their detestable things, and all their rebellious deeds. I will save them from all their unfaithfulness by which they sinned. I will purify them; they will become my people and I will become their God.“‘ My servant David will be king over them; there will be one shepherd for all of them. They will follow my regulations and carefully observe my statutes.They will live in the land I gave to my servant Jacob, in which your fathers lived; they will live in it– they and their children and their grandchildren forever. David my servant will be prince over them forever.

Then you will live in the land I gave to your fathers; you will be my people, and I will be your God.

I will rebuild you, my dear children Israel, so that you will once again be built up. Once again you will take up the tambourine and join in the happy throng of dancers.Once again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria. Those who plant them will once again enjoy their fruit.Yes, a time is coming when watchmen will call out on the mountains of Ephraim,“ Come! Let us go to Zion to worship the LORD our God!”’”

The LORD spoke about the Ammonites.“ Do you think there are not any people of the nation of Israel remaining? Do you think there are not any of them remaining to reinherit their land? Is that why you people who worship the god Milcom have taken possession of the territory of Gad and live in his cities?

Half of Gilead, Ashtaroth, and Edrei, cities in the kingdom of Og in Bashan, were assigned to the descendants of Makir son of Manasseh, to half the descendants of Makir by their clans.

These cities belonged to the tribe of Benjamin by its clans: Jericho, Beth Hoglah, Emek Keziz,Beth Arabah, Zemaraim, Bethel,Avvim, Parah, Ophrah,Kephar Ammoni, Ophni, and Geba– a total of twelve cities and their towns.Gibeon, Ramah, Beeroth,Mizpah, Kephirah, Mozah,Rekem, Irpeel, Taralah,Zelah, Haeleph, the Jebusite city( that is, Jerusalem), Gibeah, and Kiriath– a total of fourteen cities and their towns. This was the land assigned to the tribe of Benjamin by its clans.

So this is what the sovereign LORD says: Take note, I am about to stretch out my hand against the Philistines. I will kill the Cherethites and destroy those who remain on the seacoast.

“ Therefore prophesy concerning the land of Israel, and say to the mountains and hills, the ravines and valleys,‘ This is what the sovereign LORD says: Look, I have spoken in my zeal and in my anger, because you have endured the insults of the nations.So this is what the sovereign LORD says: I vow that the nations around you will endure insults as well.“‘ But you, mountains of Israel, will grow your branches, and bear your fruit for my people Israel; for they will arrive soon.For indeed, I am on your side; I will turn to you, and you will be plowed and planted.I will multiply your people– the whole house of Israel, all of it. The cities will be populated and the ruins rebuilt.I will increase the number of people and animals on you; they will increase and be fruitful. I will cause you to be inhabited as in ancient times, and will do more good for you than at the beginning of your history. Then you will know that I am the LORD.I will lead people, my people Israel, across you; they will possess you and you will become their inheritance. No longer will you bereave them of their children.

This is what the sovereign LORD says:“ Here are the borders you will observe as you allot the land to the twelve tribes of Israel.( Joseph will have two portions.)You must divide it equally just as I vowed to give it to your forefathers; this land will be assigned as your inheritance.“ This will be the border of the land: On the north side, from the Great Sea by way of Hethlon to the entrance of Zedad;Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, which is between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath, as far as Hazer-hattikon, which is on the border of Hauran.The border will run from the sea to Hazar-enan, at the border of Damascus, and on the north is the border of Hamath. This is the north side.On the east side, between Hauran and Damascus, and between Gilead and the land of Israel, will be the Jordan. You will measure from the border to the eastern sea. This is the east side.On the south side it will run from Tamar to the waters of Meribath Kadesh, the river, to the Great Sea. This is the south side.On the west side the Great Sea will be the boundary to a point opposite Lebo-hamath. This is the west side.“ This is how you will divide this land for yourselves among the tribes of Israel.

Ekron and its surrounding towns and settlements;from Ekron westward, all those in the vicinity of Ashdod and their towns;

So the God of Israel stirred up King Pul of Assyria( that is, King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria), and he carried away the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh and took them to Halah, Habor, Hara, and the river of Gozan, where they remain to this very day.

Ephraim’s jealousy will end, and Judah’s hostility will be eliminated. Ephraim will no longer be jealous of Judah, and Judah will no longer be hostile toward Ephraim.They will swoop down on the Philistine hills to the west; together they will loot the people of the east. They will take over Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites will be their subjects.

“ These are the names of the tribes: From the northern end beside the road of Hethlon to Lebo-hamath, as far as Hazar-enan( which is on the border of Damascus, toward the north beside Hamath), extending from the east side to the west, Dan will have one portion.Next to the border of Dan, from the east side to the west, Asher will have one portion.Next to the border of Asher from the east side to the west, Naphtali will have one portion.Next to the border of Naphtali from the east side to the west, Manasseh will have one portion.Next to the border of Manasseh from the east side to the west, Ephraim will have one portion.Next to the border of Ephraim from the east side to the west, Reuben will have one portion.Next to the border of Reuben from the east side to the west, Judah will have one portion.“ Next to the border of Judah from the east side to the west will be the allotment you must set apart. It is to be eight and a quarter miles wide, and the same length as one of the tribal portions, from the east side to the west; the sanctuary will be in the middle of it.The allotment you set apart to the LORD will be eight and a quarter miles in length and three and one-third miles in width.

The king sent the following response:“ To Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their colleagues who live in Samaria and other parts of Trans-Euphrates: Greetings!

This is what the LORD says:“ Because the Ammonites have committed three crimes– make that four!– I will not revoke my decree of judgment. They ripped open Gilead’s pregnant women so they could expand their territory.

Edom will be a possession, Seir, his enemies, will also be a possession; but Israel will act valiantly.A ruler will be established from Jacob; he will destroy the remains of the city.’”

I will remove the ruler from Ashdod, the one who holds the royal scepter from Ashkelon. I will strike Ekron with my hand; the rest of the Philistines will also die.” The sovereign LORD has spoken!

Ashkelon will see and be afraid; Gaza will be in great anguish, as will Ekron, for her hope will have been dried up. Gaza will lose her king, and Ashkelon will no longer be inhabited.A mongrel people will live in Ashdod, for I will greatly humiliate the Philistines.I will take away their abominable religious practices; then those who survive will become a community of believers in our God, like a clan in Judah, and Ekron will be like the Jebusites.

These cities were in the lowlands: Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah,

These cities were located at the southern extremity of Judah’s tribal land near the border of Edom: Kabzeel, Eder, Jagur,

For God will deliver Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah, and his people will again live in them and possess Zion.

The men of Judah captured Gaza, Ashkelon, Ekron, and the territory surrounding each of these cities.The LORD was with the men of Judah. They conquered the hill country, but they could not conquer the people living in the coastal plain, because they had chariots with iron-rimmed wheels.

This is the land that remains: all the territory of the Philistines and all the Geshurites,from the Shihor River east of Egypt northward to the territory of Ekron( it is regarded as Canaanite territory), including the area belonging to the five Philistine lords who ruled in Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron, as well as Avvite land

Their territory included Jazer, all the cities of Gilead, and half of Ammonite territory as far as Aroer near Rabbah.

they came to Zerubbabel and the leaders and said to them,“ Let us help you build, for like you we seek your God and we have been sacrificing to him from the time of King Esarhaddon of Assyria, who brought us here.”

The king of Assyria brought foreigners from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim and settled them in the cities of Samaria in place of the Israelites. They took possession of Samaria and lived in its cities.

And during the reign of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their colleagues wrote to King Artaxerxes of Persia. This letter was first written in Aramaic but then translated.[ Aramaic:]Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter concerning Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes as follows:From Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their colleagues– the judges, the rulers, the officials, the secretaries, the Erechites, the Babylonians, the people of Susa( that is, the Elamites),and the rest of nations whom the great and noble Ashurbanipal deported and settled in the cities of Samaria and other places in Trans-Euphrates.

Shepherd your people with your shepherd’s rod, the flock that belongs to you, the one that lives alone in a thicket, in the midst of a pastureland. Allow them to graze in Bashan and Gilead, as they did in the old days.