19 But when the judge died, the people returned to their corrupt ways, behaving worse than those who had lived before them. They went after other gods, serving and worshiping them. And they refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.
20 So the lord burned with anger against Israel. He said, “Because these people have violated my covenant, which I made with their ancestors, and have ignored my commands,
21 I will no longer drive out the nations that Joshua left unconquered when he died.
22 I did this to test Israel—to see whether or not they would follow the ways of the lord as their ancestors did.”
23 That is why the lord left those nations in place. He did not quickly drive them out or allow Joshua to conquer them all.