¹⁷ The five men who had spied out the land went inside and took the idol, the ephod and the household gods^(A) while the priest and the six hundred armed men^(B) stood at the entrance of the gate.

¹⁸ When the five men went into Micah’s house and took^(C) the idol, the ephod and the household gods,^(D) the priest said to them, “What are you doing?”

¹⁹ They answered him, “Be quiet!^(E) Don’t say a word. Come with us, and be our father and priest.^(F) Isn’t it better that you serve a tribe and clan^(G) in Israel as priest rather than just one man’s household?” ²⁰ The priest was very pleased. He took the ephod, the household gods and the idol and went along with the people. ²¹ Putting their little children, their livestock and their possessions in front of them, they turned away and left.

²⁷ Then they took what Micah had made, and his priest, and went on to Laish, against a people at peace and secure.^(A) They attacked them with the sword and burned^(B) down their city.^(C)