² The hand of the Midianites^[a] prevailed over Israel; because of the presence of the Midianites,^[b] the Israelites^[c] made for themselves hiding places that were in the mountains, caves, and strongholds. ³ And whenever Israel sowed seed, the Midianites,^[d] Amalekites,^[e] and the people of the east would come up against them. ⁴ They would camp against them and destroy the produce of the land as far as^[f] Gaza; they left no produce in Israel, or sheep, ox, or donkey.