10Then the people of Israel cried out to the LORD for help. They said, "We have sinned against you. We have abandoned our God and served other gods-the Baals." 11The LORD said to the people of Israel, "When the Egyptians, the Amorites, the Ammonites, the Philistines, 12the Sidonians, the Amalekites, and the Maonites oppressed you, you cried out to me for help. Didn't I rescue you from them? 13But you still abandoned me and served other gods. That's why I won't rescue you again. 14Cry out for help to the gods you chose. Let them rescue you when you're in trouble." 15The people of Israel said to the LORD, "We have sinned. Do to us whatever you think is right. But please rescue us today!" 16Then they got rid of the foreign gods they had and served the LORD. So the LORD could not bear to have Israel suffer any longer. 17The troops of Ammon were summoned to fight, and they camped at Gilead. The people of Israel also gathered together and camped at Mizpah. 18The leaders of the people of Gilead said to each other, "Whoever starts the fight against Ammon will rule everyone who lives in Gilead."
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