2:14. And the Lord being angry against Israel, delivered them into the
hands of plunderers: who took them and sold them to their enemies, that
dwelt round about: neither could they stand against their enemies:
2:15. But whithersoever they meant to go, the hand of the Lord was upon
them, as he had said, and as he had sworn to them: and they were
greatly distressed.
2:16. And the Lord raised up judges, to deliver them from the hands of
those that oppressed them: but they would not hearken to them,
2:17. Committing fornication with strange gods, and adoring them. They
quickly forsook the way, in which their fathers had walked: and hearing
the commandments of the Lord, they did all things contrary.
2:18. And when the Lord raised them up judges, in their days, he was
moved to mercy, and heard the groanings of the afflicted, and delivered
them from the slaughter of the oppressors.
2:19. But after the judge was dead, they returned, and did much worse
things than their fathers had done, following strange gods, serving
them, and adoring them. They left not their own inventions, and the
stubborn way, by which they were accustomed to walk.
2:20. And the wrath of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he
said: Behold this nation hath made void my covenant, which I had made
with their fathers, and hath despised to hearken to my voice:
2:21. I also will not destroy the nations which Josue left when he
died:
2:22. That through them I may try Israel, whether they will keep the
way of the Lord, and walk in it, as their fathers kept it, or not.
2:23. The Lord therefore left all these nations, and would not quickly
destroy them, neither did he deliver them into the hands of Josue.