Judges 8:1–9
1 Then the men of Ephraim said to him, “aWhat is this thing you have done to us, not calling us when you went to fight against Midian?” And they contended with him vigorously.
2 But he said to them, “What have I done now in comparison with you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?
3 “God has given the leaders of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb into your hands; and what was I able to do in comparison with you?” Then their 1anger toward him subsided when he said 2that.
4 Then Gideon and the 300 men who were with him came ato the Jordan and crossed over, weary yet pursuing.
5 He said to the men of aSuccoth, “Please give loaves of bread to the people who are following me, for they are weary, and I am pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.”
6 The leaders of Succoth said, “1aAre the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your hands, that we should give bread to your army?”
7 Gideon said, “1All right, awhen the Lord has given Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, then I will 2thrash your 3bodies with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.”
8 He went up from there to 1aPenuel and spoke similarly to them; and the men of Penuel answered him just as the men of Succoth had answered.
9 So he spoke also to the men of Penuel, saying, “When I return safely, aI will tear down this tower.”