Judges 10

And after Abimelech there arose to defend Israel Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar; and he dwelt in Shamir in mount Ephraim.

Following Abimelech's reign, Tola, a brave man from the tribe of Issachar, rose to protect Israel. He was the son of Puah and grandson of Dodo, and he made his home in the mountainous region of Shamir in Ephraim.

And he judged Israel twenty and three years, and died, and was buried in Shamir.

He served as Israel's guide for twenty-three years, then passed away, finding his final rest in Shamir.

And after him arose Jair, a Gileadite, and judged Israel twenty and two years.

Following him, Jair of Gilead rose to power, leading Israel with wisdom and justice for twenty-two years.

And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havothjair unto this day, which are in the land of Gilead.

He was a father to thirty sons, each riding their own young donkey. They were lords of thirty cities, known as Havothjair even today, nestled in the land of Gilead.

And Jair died, and was buried in Camon.

Jair breathed his last, his soul departed, and he was laid to rest in the peaceful soil of Camon.

And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the LORD, and served not him.

Once again, the Israelites broke God's heart by doing wrong. They worshipped false gods from various lands, abandoning their loyalty to the Lord, and no longer served Him.

And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon.

God's anger burned against Israel, so He sold them into the hands of the Philistines and the Ammonites.

And that year they vexed and oppressed the children of Israel: eighteen years, all the children of Israel that were on the other side Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead.

That year was a time of great suffering for the children of Israel. For eighteen long years, those living across the Jordan, in the land of the Amorites in Gilead, endured hardship and oppression.

Moreover the children of Ammon passed over Jordan to fight also against Judah, and against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim; so that Israel was sore distressed.

The children of Ammon crossed the Jordan, ready to battle against Judah, Benjamin, and Ephraim's household. This left Israel in deep anguish and distress.

And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, saying, We have sinned against thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim.

In deep remorse, the children of Israel pleaded with the Lord, "We've wronged you, Lord, by abandoning you and worshipping false gods."

And the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines?

With a tone of concern, God asked the people of Israel, "Don't you remember how I saved you from the Egyptians, Amorites, Ammonites, and Philistines?"

The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you; and ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand.

The people of Zidon, Amalek, and Maon once tormented you. In your despair, you called out to me, and I, with compassion, freed you from their grasp.

Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more.

You've abandoned me, choosing to worship false idols. Therefore, I won't rescue you anymore.

Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation.

Go and cry out to the gods you've chosen. Let them save you when you're in trouble!

And the children of Israel said unto the LORD, We have sinned: do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only, we pray thee, this day.

The people of Israel confessed to the LORD, "We've messed up. Please, do what you think is best, but save us today, we beg you."

And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the LORD: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.

They discarded the foreign gods they had among them and devoted themselves to the Lord. His heart ached deeply for the suffering of Israel.

Then the children of Ammon were gathered together, and encamped in Gilead. And the children of Israel assembled themselves together, and encamped in Mizpeh.

The Ammonites rallied, setting up camp in Gilead, their hearts pounding with anticipation. Meanwhile, the Israelites united, their spirits high, as they stationed themselves in Mizpeh.

And the people and princes of Gilead said one to another, What man is he that will begin to fight against the children of Ammon? he shall be head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.

The people and leaders of Gilead asked each other, "Who will stand up and fight for us against the Ammonites? Whoever does, will be our leader."