The Death of Samson

²³Now the lords of the Philistines gathered to offer a great sacrifice to nDagon their god and to rejoice, and they said, “Our god has given Samson our enemy into our hand.” ²⁴And when the people saw him, othey praised their god. For they said, “Our god has given our enemy into our hand, the ravager of our country, who has killed many of us.”2 ²⁵And pwhen their hearts were merry, they said, “Call Samson, that he may entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison, and he entertained them. They made him stand between the pillars. ²⁶And Samson said to the young man who held him by the hand, “Let me feel the pillars on which the house rests, that I may lean against them.” ²⁷Now the house was full of men and women. All the lords of the Philistines were there, and qon the roof there were about 3,000 men and women, who looked on while Samson entertained.

²⁸Then Samson called to the Lord and said, “O Lord God, rplease remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes.” ²⁹And Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and he leaned his weight against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other. ³⁰And Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” Then he bowed with all his strength, and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people who were in it. So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he had killed during his life.

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