²³ You must not live according to the customs of the nations^(A) I am going to drive out before you.^(B) Because they did all these things, I abhorred them.^(C)

⁵ It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity^(A) that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness^(B) of these nations,^(C) the Lord your God will drive them out^(D) before you, to accomplish what he swore^(E) to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.^(F)

²⁴ “‘Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, because this is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you^(A) became defiled.^(B)

³⁰ Keep my requirements^(A) and do not follow any of the detestable customs that were practiced before you came and do not defile yourselves with them. I am the Lord your God.^(B)’”

³ You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices.^(A)

³⁰ and after they have been destroyed before you, be careful not to be ensnared^(A) by inquiring about their gods, saying, “How do these nations serve their gods? We will do the same.”^{(B) 31} You must not worship the Lord your God in their way, because in worshiping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things the Lord hates.^(C) They even burn their sons^(D) and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods.^(E)

²⁷ for all these things were done by the people who lived in the land before you, and the land became defiled.

⁸ In one month I got rid of the three shepherds.

The flock detested^(A) me, and I grew weary of them

God and Idols^(A)

10 Hear what the Lord says to you, people of Israel. ² This is what the Lord says: