Then the old man said, “Peace to you. Only let me take care of all your needs; however, do not spend the night in the public square.”
Parallel translations
- WEB The old man said, “Peace be to you; how ever let me supply all your needs. Just don’t sleep in the street.”
- KJV And the old man said, Peace be with thee; howsoever let all thy wants lie upon me; only lodge not in the street.
- BSB “Peace to you,” said the old man. “Let me supply everything you need. Only do not spend the night in the square.”
- NKJV And the old man said, “Peace be with you! However, let all your needs be my responsibility; only do not spend the night in the open square.”
- NLT “You are welcome to stay with me,” the old man said. “I will give you anything you might need. But whatever you do, don’t spend the night in the square.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The old man welcomes them, insisting they not spend the night in the square. He extends the hospitality the town denied.
Overview
With a blessing of peace, the old man takes responsibility for the travelers' needs. His insistence that they not sleep in the open shows genuine care and awareness of danger. His kindness stands as the last act of decency before the night's atrocity.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- Judg 6:23Yahweh said to him, “Peace be to you! Don’t be afraid. You shall not die.”
- 1 Sam 25:6Tell him, ‘Long life to you! Peace be to you, and peace be to your house, and peace be to all that you have.
- 1 Chr 12:18Then the Spirit came on Amasai, who was chief of the thirty, and he said, “We are yours, David, and on your side, you son of Jesse. Peace, peace be to you, and peace be to your helpers; for your God helps you.” Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.
- Luke 10:5–6Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’
- Gal 6:6But let him who is taught in the word share all good things with him who teaches.
- Heb 13:2Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it.
- 1 Cor 1:3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Jas 2:15–16And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food,
- Gen 24:31–33He said, “Come in, you blessed of Yahweh. Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.”
- Gen 43:23–24He said, “Peace be to you. Don’t be afraid. Your God, and the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks. I received your money.” He brought Simeon out to them.
- Gen 19:2–3and he said, “See now, my lords, please turn aside into your servant’s house, stay all night, wash your feet, and you can rise up early, and go on your way.” They said, “No, but we will stay in the street all night.”
- John 14:27Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.
- Rom 12:13contributing to the needs of the saints; given to hospitality.
- 1 Pet 4:9Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.
- 1 Jn 3:18My little children, let’s not love in word only, or with the tongue only, but in deed and truth.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Israel's cycle of sin and rescue through flawed deliverers cries out for a Savior who never fails — the true and final Judge and Deliverer who saves his people not for a season but forever.
How Judges 19:20 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.