16
They drove out the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Shechemites, and all the Gergesites, and they lived there for a long time.
17
"As long as they didn't sin against their God, they prospered, because the God who hates wrongdoing was with them.
18
But when they neglected the way God had laid out for them, they were greatly defeated in many battles and taken as prisoners to a foreign land. The temple of their God was burned to the ground, and their enemies took possession of their cities.
19
But now they have turned back to their God, having returned from the place where they were scattered. They have occupied Jerusalem, where their sanctuary is, and settled in the highlands, because it was desolate.
20
Now, my lord and master, if this people should slip up and sin against their God, and if we find out about their offense, then we can go up and defeat them.