The Shepherd Struck, the Sheep Scattered

²⁰ Therefore the Lord was very angry^(A) with Israel and said, “Because this nation has violated the covenant^(B) I ordained for their ancestors and has not listened to me, ²¹ I will no longer drive out^(C) before them any of the nations Joshua left when he died. ²² I will use them to test^(D) Israel and see whether they will keep the way of the Lord and walk in it as their ancestors did.” ²³ The Lord had allowed those nations to remain; he did not drive them out at once by giving them into the hands of Joshua.^(E)

¹³ then you may be sure that the Lord your God will no longer drive out^(A) these nations before you. Instead, they will become snares^(B) and traps for you, whips on your backs and thorns in your eyes,^(C) until you perish from this good land,^(D) which the Lord your God has given you.

⁴⁵ Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites^(A) who lived in that hill country^(B) came down and attacked them and beat them down all the way to Hormah.^(C)

⁹ Only do not rebel^(A) against the Lord. And do not be afraid^(B) of the people of the land,^(C) because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with^(D) us.^(E) Do not be afraid of them.”^(F)