15
Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for evil, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn unto them; and they were greatly distressed.
16
Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, who delivered them out of the hand of those who despoiled them.
17
And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them. They turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did not so.
18
And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the LORD was moved to repent because of their groanings by reason of those who oppressed them and vexed them.
19
And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned and corrupted themselves more than their fathers in following other gods, to serve them and to bow down unto them. They ceased not from their own doings nor from their stubborn way.
20
And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and He said, "Because this people hath transgressed My covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto My voice,
21
I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died,
22
that through them I may test Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not."
23
Therefore the LORD left those nations without driving them out hastily, neither delivered He them into the hand of Joshua.