Dommer 17
1 I Efraims Bjerge levede en Mand, som hed Mika.
There was at that time a man of mount Ephraim whose name was Michas,
2 Han sagde til sin Moder: "De 1100 Sekel Sølv, du har mistet, og for hvis Skyld du udtalte en Forbandelse, som jeg selv hørte, se, de Penge er hos mig; jeg har taget dem, men nu vil jeg give dig dem tilbage." Da sagde hans Moder: "HERREN velsigne dig, min Søn!"
Who said to his mother: The eleven hundred pieces of silver, which thou hadst put aside for thyself, and concerning which thou didst swear in my hearing, behold I have, and they are with me. And she said to him: Blessed be my son by the Lord.
3 Så gav han sin Moder de 1100 Sekel Sølv tilbage; og Moderen sagde: "Disse Penge helliger jeg HERREN og giver min Søn, for at han kan lave et udskåret og støbt Billede."
So he restored them to his mother, who said to him: I have consecrated and vowed this silver to the Lord, that my son may receive it at my hand, and make a graven and a molten god, so now I deliver it to thee.
4 Så gav han sin Moder Pengene tilbage; og Moderen tog 200 Sekel Sølv deraf og gav dem til Guldsmeden, som lavede et udskåret og støbt Billede deraf, og det fik sin Plads i Mikas Hus.
And he restored them to his mother: and she took two hundred pieces of silver and gave them to the silversmith, to make of them a graven and a molten god, which was in the house of Michas.
5 Manden Mika havde et Gudshus, og han lavede sig en Efod og en Husgud og indsatte en af sine Sønner til sin Præst.
And he separated also therein a little temple for the god, and made an ephod, and theraphim, that is to say, a priestly garment, and idols: and he filled the hand of one of his sons, and he became his priest.
6 I de Dage var der ingen Konge i Israel; enhver gjorde, hvad han fandt for godt.
In those days there was no king in Israel, but every one did that which seemed right to himself.
7 Nu var der i Betlehem i Juda en ung Mand af Judas Slægt; han var Levit og boede der som fremmed.
There was also another young man of Bethlehem Juda, of the kindred thereof: and he was a Levite, and dwelt there.
8 Denne Mand forlod sin By Betlehem i Juda for at slå sig ned som fremmed, hvor det kunde træffe sig, og på sin Vandring kom han til Mikas Hus i Efraims Bjerge.
Now he went out from the city of Bethlehem, and desired to sojourn wheresoever he should find it convenient for him. And when he was come to mount Ephraim, as he was on his journey, and had turned aside a little into the house of Michas,
9 Da spurgte Mika ham: "Hvorfra kommer du?" Han svarede: "Jeg er Levit og har hjemme i Betlehem i Juda, og jeg er på Vandring for at slå mig ned som fremmed, hvor det kan træffe sig."
He was asked by him whence he came. And he answered: I am a Levite of Bethlehem Juda, and I am going to dwell where I can, and where I shall find a place to my advantage.
10 Da sagde Mika til ham: "Tag Ophold hos mig og bliv min Fader og Præst; jeg vil give dig ti Sekel Sølv om Året og holde dig med Klæder og give dig Kosten!"
And Michas said: Stay with me, and be unto me a father and a priest, and I will give thee every year ten pieces of silver, and a double suit of apparel, and thy victuals.
11 Så gik Leviten ind på at tage Ophold hos Manden, og den unge Mand var ham som en af hans egne Sønner.
He was content, and abode with the man, and was unto him as one of his sons.
12 Mika indsatte så Leviten, og den unge Mand blev Præst hos ham og tog Ophold i Mikas Hus.
And Michas filled his hand, and had the young man with him, for his priest, saying:
13 Da sagde Mika: "Nu ved jeg, at HERREN vil gøre vel imod mig, siden jeg har fået en Levit til Præst!"
Now I know God will do me good, since I have a priest of the race of the Levites.
