Judges 16:23–30

²³Now the Philistine leaders gathered together to offer a great sacrifice to their god Dagon. ^pThey rejoiced and said:

Our god has handed over

our enemy Samson to us.

²⁴When the people saw him, they praised their god ^qand said:

Our god has handed over to us

our enemy who destroyed our land

and who multiplied our dead.

²⁵When they were drunk, ^rthey said, “Bring Samson here to entertain us.” So they brought Samson from prison, and he entertained them. They had him stand between the pillars.

²⁶Samson said to the young man who was leading him by the hand, “Lead me where I can feel the pillars supporting the temple, so I can lean against them.” ²⁷The temple was full of men and women; all the leaders of the Philistines were there, and about 3,000 men and women were on the roof watching Samson entertain them. ²⁸He called out to the Lord: “Lord God, please remember me. ^sStrengthen me, God, just once more. With one act of vengeance, let me pay back the Philistines for my two eyes.” ²⁹Samson took hold of the two middle pillars supporting the temple and leaned against them, one on his right hand and the other on his left. ³⁰Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” He pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the leaders and all the people in it. And the dead he killed at his death were more than those he had killed in his life.