¹⁷ Yet they would not listen to their judges but prostituted^(A) themselves to other gods^(B) and worshiped them.^(C) They quickly turned^(D) from the ways of their ancestors, who had been obedient to the Lord’s commands.^{(E) 18} Whenever the Lord raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved^(F) them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the Lord relented^(G) because of their groaning^(H) under those who oppressed and afflicted^(I) them. ¹⁹ But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt^(J) than those of their ancestors,^(K) following other gods and serving and worshiping them.^(L) They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn^(M) ways.