5. They said to him, "Ask for an answer from God so we can know whether we’ll be successful on this trip we’ve taken."
6. The priest replied to them, "Go in peace. The Lord is watching over you on this trip you’ve taken."
7. So the five men journeyed on until they reached Laish. There they saw that its people were living without worry in the same way as the Sidonians, undisturbed and secure. Nobody held back anything in the land, so no one had to hoard. Yet they lived far away from the Sidonians and had no dealings with anyone else.
8. When the men came back to their relatives at Zorah and Eshtaol, they asked them, "What did you find?"
9. "Come on," they replied, "let’s march up against them! Indeed, we’ve seen the land, and it’s very good. Right now you’re doing nothing! Don’t hold back from going and taking possession of the land.
10. When you arrive, you’ll come upon a secure people and a wide-open land, because God has given to you a place where nothing on earth is lacking."
11. At this, six hundred men from the Danite clan at Zorah and Eshtaol set out armed for battle.
12. They marched up and made camp at Kiriath-jearim in Judah. This is why the place west of Kiriath-jearim is still known as Dan’s Camp today.
13. From there they crossed into the Ephraim highlands and came to Micah’s house.
14. Then the five men who had gone to spy on the land around Laish reported to their relatives, "Did you know that there is a priestly vest, divine images, a sculpted image, and a molded image in these buildings? Now think about what you should do!"
15. So they turned in there and went to the young Levite’s house in Micah’s compound and greeted him.
16. While the six hundred Danites armed for battle stood at the entrance of the gate,
17. the five men who had gone to spy on the land moved up, went inside, and took the sculpted image, the priestly vest, the divine images, and the molded image. The priest was standing at the entrance of the gate with the six hundred men armed for battle
18. when these five entered Micah’s sanctuary and took the sculpted image, the priestly vest, the divine images, and the molded image.The priest said to them, "What are you doing?"
19. "Shut up!" they said to him. "Put your hand over your mouth! Come with us and be a father and a priest for us. Would you rather be a priest for one man’s household or a priest for a tribe and a clan in Israel?"
20. The priest was convinced, so he took the priestly vest, the divine images, and the sculpted image and went along with the people.
21. They headed back on their way, but they put the children, the livestock, and the prized possessions in front of them.