⁹The Ammonites then crossed the Jordan River to fight the people of Judah, Benjamin, and Ephraim, causing much trouble to the people of Israel. ¹⁰So the Israelites cried out to the Lord, “We have sinned against you. We left our God and worshiped the Baal idols.”

¹¹The Lord answered the Israelites, “When the Egyptians, Amorites, Ammonites, Philistines, ¹²Sidonians, Amalekites, and Maonites were cruel to you, you cried out to me, and I saved you. ¹³But now you have left me again and have worshiped other gods. So I refuse to save you again. ¹⁴You have chosen those gods. So go call to them for help. Let them save you when you are in trouble.”

¹⁵But the people of Israel said to the Lord, “We have sinned. Do to us whatever you want, but please save us today!” ¹⁶Then the Israelites threw away the foreign gods among them, and they worshiped the Lord again. So he felt sorry for them when he saw their suffering.

¹⁷The Ammonites gathered for war and camped in Gilead. The Israelites gathered and camped at Mizpah. ¹⁸The leaders of the people of Gilead said, “Who will lead us to attack the Ammonites? He will become the head of all those who live in Gilead.”

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