1
And it came to pass that the land had rest for eighty years, and Ehud did judge Israel in righteousness.
2
And so it is that we see the deceit and guile of the human heart; for when Israel doth keep the Torah, Ve’Daiyan Israel (לארשי ןידו Protector of Israel) rains His blessings upon her.
3
Yea, and their harvests do multiply, and their flocks and herds abound, and they are found to possess gold, silver, and all manner of precious stones;
4
And we see that יהוה (YHVH), Ha’Tzur Israel (לארשי רוּצ the Rock of Israel), doth preserve their lives and deliver them from the hands of their enemies.
5
Yet when the sons of Jacob do harden their hearts, to forget YHVH Adoni Ha’Shaboth (תבשה ןוֹדא הוהי YHVH, Lord of the Sabbath) in their abundance, Ve’Daiyan Israel (לארשי ןידו Judge of Israel) shall bless them with great afflictions,
6
And they face death and terror, despite the great goodness and love YHVH Raphacha (ךאפר הוהי YHVH Heals/Restores) has shown them.
7
¶ And it came to pass that after Ehud, Ve’Daiyan Israel (לארשי ןידו Protector of Israel) did bring up Shamgar, the son of Anath as chief judge over Israel.
8
And so it was that he did slay six hundred men of the Philistines with an ox-goad; and he also delivered Israel.
9
¶ And it came to pass that the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of Kodesh Israel (לארשי שודק Holy One of Israel) after Ehud was dead,
10
For the seed of Jacob neither obeyed the counsel of Ha’Oseh Shalom (םולש השע the Maker of Peace), nor accepted the guidance of YHVH Yir’eh (הארי הוהי YHVH will provide).
11
And so it was that Ha’Rachaman (ןמחרה the Merciful One), did say unto them: Because of thine iniquities you shall be cut off from the Presence!
12
How quickly my Israel doth hasten toward offence (חטאה, sin), yet ye are slow to do thy mitzvoth! Being swayed by foolish things, you are slow of heart:
13
Rushing to exalt yourselves in pride, seeing evil as good, and refusing to walk in the pathways of wisdom!
14
¶ And it came to pass that Ha’Kadosh Israel (לארשי שודק the Holy One of Israel) did sell the seed of Jacob into the hand of Yabiyn (יבין, discernment), king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor, captain of the Gentiles.
15
And so it was that the children of Israel once again did cry unto Ha’Rachaman (ןמחרה the Merciful One);
16
For Yabiyn, king of Canaan, did have nine hundred chariots of iron; and for twenty years he did oppress the children of Israel.