And now you have taken your ancestors' place, a new generation of sinful people ready to bring down the fierce anger of the LORD on Israel again.

But when the leader died, the people would return to the old ways and behave worse than the previous generation. They would serve and worship other gods, and stubbornly continue their own evil ways.

Yet no one listened or paid any attention. Instead, you became more stubborn and rebellious than your ancestors.

Instead, they have been stubborn and have worshiped the idols of Baal as their ancestors taught them to do.

But you have done even worse than your ancestors. All of you are stubborn and evil, and you do not obey me.

Go on, then, and finish up what your ancestors started!

"How stubborn you are!" Stephen went on to say. "How heathen your hearts, how deaf you are to God's message! You are just like your ancestors: you too have always resisted the Holy Spirit!