1 So AbiMelech {Father-King} [dies], π. Then, from [the tribe of] Issachar {Reward}, [YAH] raises a man to defend Israel. [The man is named] Tola {Red-Wiggler} (the son of Puah {Blast}, the son of Dodo {Loving}). Tola [rises from] Shamir {Sharp-Diamond} in the Ephraim {Double-Fruit} Hills.
2 Tola {Red-Wiggler} guides Israel for 23 years. Then he dies. [His sons] bury him [at home] in Shamir {Sharp-Diamond}. | 'Goldshine' Leads Israel For 22 years | 3 After [Red Wiggler, Yah] raises up Jair {Goldshine}, from Gilead {Monument-Mound}. {Goldshine} leads Israel for 22 years.
4 [Jair {Goldshine}] spawns 30 sons. They ride [around Israel] on 30 donkey colts. [These sons come to] own 30 cities in the land of Gilead {Witness}. [These cities are] to this day collectively called Havoth-Jair {Hamlets-Of-Goldshine}, π.5 Jair {Goldshine} dies. [His sons] bury him in Camon {Hill}. | Israel Falls Back Into Sin & Slavery 18 Years | 6 Again the brats of Israel fall into committing ruinous [acts] in the sight of YHVH. They serve Baalim {Sovereigns}, including Ashtaroth {Easter}, and the gods [and leaders]: of [Highland] Syria, and of Sidon {Fish-City}, and of [incestuous] Moab, and of the [inbred] spawn of Ammon, and of the Palestinians. The [Israelites] forsake YHVH. They [refuse] to serve him.
7 So, π, the anger of YHVH flames hot against Israel. He sells them into the hands of Philistines [on the western seacoast], and into the hands of the [inbred Arabian] spawn of Ammon [on the east]. 8 Starting that year, and for 18 years, the [the inbred Arabs] persecute and oppress the people of Israel who live on the far [East] side of [the] Jordan [river] in the land of the Amorite {Mountaineers}, in Gilead {Witness}. 9 Even worse, the [inbred] spawn of Ammon cross [west] over [the] Jordan [river] to fight against the tribes of Judah {Celebrated}, Benjamin {Right-Hand-Son}, and Ephraim {Double-Fruit}. So Israel lives in constant suffering, π. | Brats Of Israel Whine, But YAH Ignores Them | 10 So the people of Israel cry to YHVH, moaning, βWe've sinned against you. We've not only forsaken our Elohim. We've [defected to] serve [human and demonic] Baalim {Sovereigns}.β
11 So YHVH answers the brats of Israel, βDidn't I rescue you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorite {Mountaineers}, from the [inbred] spawn of Ammon, and from the Philistines?12 βAnd [didn't I save you when] the Sidonian {Fish-Fighters} and the Amalekite {Blood-Lickers}, and the descendants of Maon {Abode} oppressed you? You cried to me. So I snatched you out of the [pagans'] clutches.13 Yet you've forsaken me to slave [for inferior] gods & leaders! So I'll rescue you [brats] no more.14 βGo and cry to the gods & leaders you've elected. Let them rescue you in your time of trouble.β15 Yet the brats of Israel moan to YHVH, βWe've sinned. Do to us whatever seems good to you. Just please rescue us today!β | The Israelites Actively Repent | 16 Then the [Israelites] get rid of the alien gods & [non-Hebrew] leaders among them. They serve YHVH. So, π, [YAH's] heart breaks. [It hurts him to] see Israel [in] misery.
17 Then the [inbred] spawn of Ammon amass together at [their war] camp in Gilead {Witness}. So the people of Israel assemble themselves together. They camp [in terror] in Mizpah {Watch-Tower}. 18 Gilead's people and chiefs ask each other, βWhat man is willing to be the first [hero] to fight against the [inbred] spawn of Ammon? [If the hero survives,] he'll be head over all [us] inhabitants of Gilead {Witness}.β YAH just said he'd fight for Israel. Yet here the Israelis again elect a human to fight for them. Just like modern Judeo-Christians. | | | | |