1There was a man in mount Ephraim, named Micah
2which said unto his mother: the eleven hundredth silverlings that were taken from thee, about which thou cursedst and saidst in mine ears: Behold the silver is with me for I took it away. Then said his mother, blessed be thou my son, in the LORD.
3And so he restored the eleven hundredth silverlings to his mother again. And his mother said: I vowed the silver unto the LORD of mine hand for my son: to make a graven image and an image of metal. Now therefore I give it thee again.
4And he restored the money again unto his mother. Then his mother took two hundredth silverlings and put them to a goldsmith, to make thereof a graven image and a image of metal, which remained in the house of Micah.
5And the man Micah had a chapel of gods, and made an Ephod and images, and filled the hand of one of his sons which became his priest.
6For in those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did what thought him best.
7And there was a young man out of Bethlehem Juda, and out of the kindreds of Juda: which young man was a Levite and sojourned there.
8And the man departed out of the city of Bethlehem Juda, to go dwell where he could find a place. And he came to mount Ephraim, and to the house of Micah as he journeyed.
9And Micah said unto him, whence comest thou? and the Levite answered him: I am of Bethlehem Juda, and go to dwell where I may find a place.
10And Micah said unto him: dwell with me, and be unto me a father and a priest. And I will give thee ten silverlings by year and raiment of all sorts, and thy meat and drink.
11And the Levite went and began to dwell with the man, and was unto him as dear as one of his own sons.
12And Micah filled the hand of the Levite, and the young man became his priest, and continued in the house of Micah.
13Then said Micah, now I am sure that the LORD will be good unto me, seeing I have a Levite to my priest.