28. And the men of the city arose early in the morning and saw the altar of Ba‛al was broken down, and the Ashĕrah that was beside it had been cut down, and the second bull was being offered on the altar which was built.
29. And they said to each other, “Who has done this deed?” And when they had inquired and asked, they said, “Giḏ‛on son of Yo’ash has done this deed.”
30. And the men of the city said to Yo’ash, “Bring out your son, so that he dies, for he has broken down the altar of Ba‛al, and because he has cut down the Ashĕrah that was beside it.”
31. And Yo’ash said to all who stood against him, “You, would you plead for Ba‛al? You, would you save him? Let the one who would plead for him be put to death by morning! If he is a mighty one, let him plead for himself, because his altar has been broken down!”
32. So that day he called him Yerubba‛al, saying, “Let Ba‛al plead against him, because he has broken down his altar.”
33. Now all Miḏyan and Amalĕq and the people of the East, were gathered together. And they passed over and encamped in the Valley of Yizre‛ĕl.
34. Then the Spirit of יהוה came upon Giḏ‛on, and he blew the ram’s horn, and the Aḇi‛ezerites gathered behind him.
35. And he sent messengers throughout all Menashsheh, who also gathered behind him. And he sent messengers to Ashĕr, and to Zeḇulun, and to Naphtali. And they came up to meet them.
36. And Giḏ‛on said to Elohim, “If You are saving Yisra’ĕl by my hand as You have said,
37. see, I am placing a fleece of wool on the threshing-floor. If there is dew only on the fleece, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that You are saving Yisra’ĕl by my hand, as You have said.”
38. And it was so, and he rose early the next morning and pressed the fleece, and wrung dew out of the fleece, to fill a bowl with water.
39. And Giḏ‛on said to Elohim, “Do not be displeased with me, and let me speak only this time: Please let me try only this time with the fleece, please let it be dry only on the fleece, and let there be dew on all the ground.”
40. And Elohim did so that night, and it was dry on the fleece only, but there was dew on all the ground.