10 While Samson's father went to make the final arrangements with the bride and her family, Samson threw a big party, as grooms usually did.
11 When the Philistines saw what Samson was like, they told 30 of their young men to stay with him at the party.
12 Samson told the 30 young men, “This party will last for seven days. Let's make a bet: I'll tell you a riddle, and if you can tell me the answer before the party is over, I'll give each of you a shirt and a full change of clothing.
13 But if you can't tell me the answer, then each of you will have to give me a shirt and a full change of clothing.”“It's a bet!” the Philistines said. “Tell us the riddle.”
14 Samson said:Once so strong and mighty—now so sweet and tasty!Three days went by, and the Philistine young men had not come up with the right answer.
15 Finally, on the seventh day of the party they went to Samson's bride and said, “You had better trick your husband into telling you the answer to his riddle. Have you invited us here just to rob us? If you don't find out the answer, we will burn you and your family to death.”
16 Samson's bride went to him and started crying in his arms. “You must really hate me,” she sobbed. “If you loved me at all, you would have told me the answer to your riddle.”“But I haven't even told my parents the answer!” Samson replied. “Why should I tell you?”