17 He saw the traveler, the Levite, in the public square. He asked, “Where are you going? Where did you come from?”
18 The Levite answered, “We are traveling from Bethlehem in Judah. We’re going to my home. I’m from a faraway part of the mountains of Ephraim. I have been to Bethlehem in Judah. Now I am going to the Holy Tent of the Lord. No one has invited me to stay in his house.
19 We already have straw and food for our donkeys. There is bread and wine for me, the young woman and my servant. We don’t need anything.”
20 The old man said, “You are welcome to stay at my house. Let me give you anything you need. But don’t spend the night in the public square.”
21 So the old man took the Levite into his house. He fed their donkeys, and they washed their feet. Then he gave them something to eat and drink.
22 While they were enjoying themselves, some wicked men of the city surrounded the house. They beat on the door. They shouted to the old man who owned the house. They said, “Bring out the man who came to your house. We want to force him to have physical relations with us.”
23 The owner of the house went outside. And he said to them, “No, my friends. Don’t be so evil. This man is a guest in my house. Don’t do this terrible thing!