19. But after each judge died, the people went back to their old ways and acted more corruptly than their parents. They followed, served, and worshiped other gods. They never gave up their evil practices and stubborn ways.
20. The Lord became angry with Israel. He said, “Because the people of this nation have rejected the promise I gave their ancestors and have not obeyed me,
21. I will no longer force out the nations Joshua left behind when he died.
22. I will test the people of Israel with these nations to see whether or not they will carefully follow the Lord’s ways as their ancestors did.”
23. So the Lord let these nations stay. He had not handed them over to Joshua or forced them out quickly.