51. God killed all the firstborn sons in Egypt,the oldest son of each family of Ham.
52. But God led out his people like sheep.He guided them like a flock through the desert.
53. He led them to safety. They had nothing to fear.But their enemies drowned in the sea.
54. So God brought them to his holy land.He brought them to the mountain country he took with his own power.
55. He forced out the other nations.And he had his people inherit the land.He let the tribes of Israel settle there in tents.
56. But they tested Godand turned against the Most High.They did not keep his rules.
57. They turned away and sinned just like their ancestors.They were like a crooked bow that does not shoot straight.
58. They made God angry by building places to worship false gods.They made him jealous with their idols.
59. When God heard them, he became very angry.And he rejected the people of Israel completely.
60. He left his dwelling at Shiloh,the tent where he lived among men.
61. He let his Ark of the Covenant be captured.He let the Ark of the Covenant, which was his glory, be taken by enemies.
62. He let his people be killed.He was very angry with his children.
63. The young men died by fire.The young women had no one to marry.
64. Their priests fell by the sword.But their widows were not allowed to cry.
65. Then the Lord got up as if he had been asleep.He awoke like a man who was drunk with wine.
66. He struck down his enemies.He disgraced them forever.
67. But God rejected the family of Joseph.He did not choose the tribe of Ephraim.