²⁹ Nevertheless, each national group made its own gods in the several towns^(A) where they settled, and set them up in the shrines^(B) the people of Samaria had made at the high places.^{(C) 30} The people from Babylon made Sukkoth Benoth, those from Kuthah made Nergal, and those from Hamath made Ashima; ³¹ the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burned their children in the fire as sacrifices to Adrammelek^(D) and Anammelek, the gods of Sepharvaim.^{(E) 32} They worshiped the Lord, but they also appointed all sorts^(F) of their own people to officiate for them as priests in the shrines at the high places. ³³ They worshiped the Lord, but they also served their own gods in accordance with the customs of the nations from which they had been brought.

³⁴ To this day they persist in their former practices. They neither worship the Lord nor adhere to the decrees and regulations, the laws and commands that the Lord gave the descendants of Jacob, whom he named Israel.^{(G) 35} When the Lord made a covenant with the Israelites, he commanded them: “Do not worship^(H) any other gods or bow down to them, serve them or sacrifice to them.^{(I) 36} But the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt with mighty power and outstretched arm,^(J) is the one you must worship. To him you shall bow down and to him offer sacrifices. ³⁷ You must always be careful^(K) to keep the decrees^(L) and regulations, the laws and commands he wrote for you. Do not worship other gods. ³⁸ Do not forget^(M) the covenant I have made with you, and do not worship other gods. ³⁹ Rather, worship the Lord your God; it is he who will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies.”

⁴⁰ They would not listen, however, but persisted in their former practices. ⁴¹ Even while these people were worshiping the Lord,^(N) they were serving their idols. To this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their ancestors did.

³⁶ The Lord said to me: “Son of man, will you judge Oholah and Oholibah? Then confront^(A) them with their detestable practices,^{(B) 37} for they have committed adultery and blood is on their hands. They committed adultery with their idols; they even sacrificed their children, whom they bore to me, as food for them.^{(C) 38} They have also done this to me: At that same time they defiled my sanctuary^(D) and desecrated my Sabbaths.^{(E) 39} On the very day they sacrificed their children to their idols, they entered my sanctuary and desecrated^(F) it. That is what they did in my house.^(G)

³⁰ “The people of Israel and Judah have done nothing but evil in my sight from their youth;^(A) indeed, the people of Israel have done nothing but arouse my anger^(B) with what their hands have made,^(C) declares the Lord. ³¹ From the day it was built until now, this city^(D) has so aroused my anger and wrath that I must remove^(E) it from my sight. ³² The people of Israel and Judah have provoked^(F) me by all the evil^(G) they have done—they, their kings and officials,^(H) their priests and prophets, the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem. ³³ They turned their backs^(I) to me and not their faces; though I taught^(J) them again and again, they would not listen or respond to discipline.^{(K) 34} They set up their vile images^(L) in the house that bears my Name^(M) and defiled^(N) it. ³⁵ They built high places for Baal in the Valley of Ben Hinnom^(O) to sacrifice their sons and daughters to Molek,^(P) though I never commanded—nor did it enter my mind^(Q)—that they should do such a detestable^(R) thing and so make Judah sin.^(S)