Judges 2:16-23 ▼

16 Then the LORD raised up judges among the Israelites, and they delivered them out of the hand of those who plundered them.

17 And yet they would not hearken to their judges, because they had gone astray after other gods and worshipped them; they turned aside quickly from the way in which their fathers walked, who had listened to the commandments of the LORD, but they did not do so.

18 And when the LORD raised up judges for them, then the LORD was with the judges, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judges; the LORD would hear their groaning because of their oppressors and those that drove them away.

19 And it came to pass, when the judges were dead, they returned and became more corrupt than their fathers, in following other gods to serve and to worship them; they did not cease from their wickedness, nor from their evil ways.

20 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel; and he said, Because this people have transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened to my voice;

21 I also will no longer destroy any man from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died;

22 That through them I may prove Israel whether they will keep the way of the LORD, and whether they will walk in it, as their fathers did keep it, or not.

23 Therefore the LORD left these nations, and did not destroy them hastily; neither had he delivered them into the hand of Joshua.