15 They rejected his decrees and the covenant(A) he had made with their ancestors and the statutes he had warned them to keep. They followed worthless idols(B) and themselves became worthless.(C) They imitated the nations(D) around them although the Lord had ordered them, “Do not do as they do.”

16 They forsook all the commands of the Lord their God and made for themselves two idols cast in the shape of calves,(E) and an Asherah(F) pole. They bowed down to all the starry hosts,(G) and they worshiped Baal.(H) 17 They sacrificed(I) their sons and daughters in the fire. They practiced divination and sought omens(J) and sold(K) themselves to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing his anger.

18 So the Lord was very angry with Israel and removed them from his presence.(L) Only the tribe of Judah was left, 19 and even Judah did not keep the commands of the Lord their God. They followed the practices Israel had introduced.(M) 20 Therefore the Lord rejected all the people of Israel; he afflicted them and gave them into the hands of plunderers,(N) until he thrust them from his presence.(O)

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