1 The men of Ephraim were summoned and crossed over toward the north. They said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight the Ammonites and not call us to go with you? We will burn your house over you!” 2 Jephthah said to them, “My people and I were in a bitter conflict with the Ammonites. I called you, but you did not save me from their hand. 3 When I saw that you would not save me, I put my life in my hand and crossed over against the Ammonites, and the LORD gave them into my hand. Why have you come up against me this day to fight me?” 4 Jephthah gathered all the men of Gilead and fought Ephraim. The men of Gilead struck down Ephraim because the Ephraimites had said, “You Gileadites are fugitives of Ephraim, in the midst of Ephraim and Manasseh.” 5 Gilead seized the fords of the Jordan leading to Ephraim. Whenever one of the fugitives of Ephraim said, “Let me cross over,” the men of Gilead asked him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” If he said, “No,” 6 they said to him, “Please say ‘Shibboleth.’ ” But he said, “Sibboleth,” for he could not pronounce it correctly. Then they seized him and slaughtered him at the fords of the Jordan. Forty-two thousand of Ephraim fell at that time. 7 Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then Jephthah the Gileadite died and was buried in one of the cities of Gilead.

8 After him, Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel. 9 He had thirty sons and thirty daughters. He sent his daughters away in marriage and brought in thirty daughters from elsewhere for his sons. He judged Israel seven years. 10 Ibzan died and was buried at Bethlehem.

11 After him, Elon the Zebulunite judged Israel. He judged Israel ten years. 12 Elon the Zebulunite died and was buried at Aijalon in the land of Zebulun.

13 After him, Abdon son of Hillel the Pirathonite judged Israel. 14 He had forty sons and thirty grandsons who rode seventy donkey colts. He judged Israel eight years. 15 Abdon son of Hillel the Pirathonite died and was buried at Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the hill country of the Amalekites.