2 Kings 17:29-41 ▼

29 And they were making, each nation its gods, and they set them up in the shrines of the high places that the Samaritans had made—each nation in the cities where they dwelt there.

30 And the men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth, and the men of Cuth made Nergal, and the men of Hamath made Ashima,

31 and the Avites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burned their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim.

32 And they feared YHWH, and they made for themselves from every class priests of the high places, and they were acting for them in the shrines of the high places.

33 They were fearing YHWH, and they were serving their own gods according to the custom of the nations that they were carried away from there.

34 To this day they continue practicing the former customs; they do not fear YHWH, and they do not follow according to their statutes, or according to their ordinances, or according to the law and the commandment that YHWH had commanded the sons of Jacob, whom He named Israel.

35 And YHWH had cut a covenant with them and commanded them, saying, “You? shall not fear other gods, and not bow low to them, and not serve them, and not sacrifice to them.

36 For but YHWH, who brought you? up from the land of Egypt with great power and an outstretched arm, Him you? shall fear, and Him you? shall worship, and to Him you? shall offer sacrifices.

37 And the statutes and the ordinances and the law and the commandment that He wrote for you?, you? shall be careful to observe, all the days. And you? shall not fear other gods.

38 And the covenant that I have made with you?, you? shall not forget. And you? shall not fear other gods.

39 For but YHWH your? God you? shall fear, and He will snatch you? up from the hand of all your? enemies.”

40 But they did not obey, for they acted according to their former custom.

41 And it came to pass that these nations feared YHWH, and their carved images they were serving—also their sons and the sons of their sons. As their fathers did, they are doing even to this day.