1 The women upbraid one another. 5 The virgins that made them munitions for the war. 12 Their anger. 14 They are appeased. 15 Concerning the choice of an habitation. 25 A chief factor donneth wondrous apparel. 33 Wherefor one believeth him to be the keeper of the gate.
Now in the seventh month of the year and the first week of the month upon the second day, all the women of the land rose up together and they made them an outcry, the one against the other.
2 And they upbraided them that were barren, because they bore not children; and those that had begotten a few, they exhorted them to continue along the way.
3 And the hearts of the women were stirred within them, and the cry of their sisters, it filled them with zeal for the undertaking.
4 Nevertheless, there were certain men in the land that scoffed aloud, saying, By the fruits of their labour only shall ye know them; and the words that flow from a woman's mouth, what man shall give them a meaning?
5 ¶ Now there was a certain place in the land of En and it was full up of workers that did make them munitions for the war.
6 And there were many women amongst them also; and some of them were married unto men; and the others, they were virgins.
7 Wherefore it came to pass that the ruler of that place, he made him a plan; and, behold, it was after this manner.
8 And he did design that whosoever amongst them should conceive and be with child, there should be provision made for that woman to sustain her during the time.
9 And whosoever amongst them should be spoken for in marriage, unto her there should be given so much for her portion.