²³ In those days I also saw Jews who ^(A)had married women of ^(B)Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. ²⁴ And half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod, and could not speak the language of Judah, but spoke according to the language of one or the other people.

²⁵ So I ^(C)contended with them and ^[a]cursed them, struck some of them and pulled out their hair, and made them ^(D)swear by God, saying, “You shall not give your daughters as wives to their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons or yourselves.

¹² Now therefore, ^(A)do not give your daughters as wives for their sons, nor take their daughters to your sons; and ^(B)never seek their peace or prosperity, that you may be strong and eat the good of the land, and ^(C)leave it as an inheritance to your children forever.’

Intermarriage with Pagans

9 When these things were done, the leaders came to me, saying, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not ^(A)separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, ^(B)with respect to the abominations of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites.

²¹ And Elijah came to all the people, and said, ^(A)“How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, ^(B)follow him.” But the people answered him not a word.

You Cannot Serve God and Riches

^24 (A)“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. ^(B)You cannot serve God and ^[a]mammon.