17 but they did not listen to their judges. Instead, they prostituted(A) themselves with other gods, bowing down to them. They quickly turned from the way(B) of their fathers, who had walked in obedience to the Lord’s commands. They did not do as their fathers did. 18 Whenever the Lord raised up a judge for the Israelites, the Lord was with(C) him and saved the people from the power of their enemies while the judge was still alive.(a) The Lord was moved to pity whenever they groaned because of those who were oppressing and afflicting them. 19 Whenever the judge died, the Israelites would act even more corruptly(D) than their fathers, going after other gods to worship and bow down to them. They did not turn from their evil practices or their obstinate(E) ways.
20 The Lord’s anger burned against Israel, and He declared, “Because this nation has violated My covenant(F) that I made with their fathers(G) and disobeyed Me,

Footnotes:

a. Judges 2:18: Lit enemies all the days of the judge

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.