18
When ADONAI raised up judges for them, ADONAI was with the judge and delivered them from the hands of their enemies throughout the lifetime of the judge; for ADONAI was moved to pity by their groaning under those oppressing and crushing them.
19
But after the judge died, they would relapse into worse behavior than that of their ancestors, following other gods to serve and worship them; they abandoned none of their practices or stubborn ways.
20
So the anger of ADONAI blazed against Isra'el; he said, "Because this nation violates my covenant, which I ordered their fathers to obey; and they don't pay attention to what I say;
21
in the future, I will not expel ahead of them any of the nations that Y'hoshua left when he died.
22
This is how I will test Isra'el, to see whether or not they will keep the way of ADONAI, living according to it, as their ancestors did."