¹⁸ They abandoned^(A) the temple of the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and worshiped Asherah poles and idols.^(B) Because of their guilt, God’s anger^(C) came on Judah and Jerusalem.

²⁰ When Achan son of Zerah was unfaithful in regard to the devoted things,^[a](A) did not wrath^(B) come on the whole community^(C) of Israel? He was not the only one who died for his sin.’”^(D)

⁴ Some time later Joash decided to restore the temple of the Lord.

² Jehu^(A) the seer, the son of Hanani, went out to meet him and said to the king, “Should you help the wicked^(B) and love^[a] those who hate the Lord?^(C) Because of this, the wrath^(D) of the Lord is on you.

⁶ Let no one deceive you^(A) with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath^(B) comes on those who are disobedient.^(C)

²⁵ But Hezekiah’s heart was proud^(A) and he did not respond to the kindness shown him; therefore the Lord’s wrath^(B) was on him and on Judah and Jerusalem.

⁸ Therefore, the anger of the Lord has fallen on Judah and Jerusalem; he has made them an object of dread and horror^(A) and scorn,^(B) as you can see with your own eyes.

¹³ “You must not bring those prisoners here,” they said, “or we will be guilty before the Lord. Do you intend to add to our sin and guilt? For our guilt is already great, and his fierce anger rests on Israel.”

²³ They also set up for themselves high places, sacred stones^(A) and Asherah poles^(B) on every high hill and under every spreading tree.^(C)