Samaria Resettled

²⁴ The king of Assyria^(A) brought people from Babylon, Kuthah, Avva, Hamath and Sepharvaim^(B) and settled them in the towns of Samaria to replace the Israelites. They took over Samaria and lived in its towns. ²⁵ When they first lived there, they did not worship the Lord; so he sent lions^(C) among them and they killed some of the people. ²⁶ It was reported to the king of Assyria: “The people you deported and resettled in the towns of Samaria do not know what the god of that country requires. He has sent lions among them, which are killing them off, because the people do not know what he requires.”

²⁷ Then the king of Assyria gave this order: “Have one of the priests you took captive from Samaria go back to live there and teach the people what the god of the land requires.” ²⁸ So one of the priests who had been exiled from Samaria came to live in Bethel and taught them how to worship the Lord.

²⁹ Nevertheless, each national group made its own gods in the several towns^(D) where they settled, and set them up in the shrines^(E) the people of Samaria had made at the high places.^{(F) 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^(G) and Anammelek, the gods of Sepharvaim.^{(H) 32} They worshiped the Lord, but they also appointed all sorts^(I) 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.^{(J) 35} When the Lord made a covenant with the Israelites, he commanded them: “Do not worship^(K) any other gods or bow down to them, serve them or sacrifice to them.^{(L) 36} But the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt with mighty power and outstretched arm,^(M) is the one you must worship. To him you shall bow down and to him offer sacrifices. ³⁷ You must always be careful^(N) to keep the decrees^(O) and regulations, the laws and commands he wrote for you. Do not worship other gods. ³⁸ Do not forget^(P) 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,^(Q) they were serving their idols. To this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their ancestors did.

¹³ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace^(A) as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.^(B)

¹⁴ “You have said, ‘It is futile^(A) to serve^(B) God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements^(C) and going about like mourners^(D) before the Lord Almighty? ¹⁵ But now we call the arrogant^(E) blessed. Certainly evildoers^(F) prosper,^(G) and even when they put God to the test, they get away with it.’”

The Faithful Remnant

¹⁶ Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard.^(H) A scroll^(I) of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared^(J) the Lord and honored his name.

¹⁷ “On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my^(K) treasured possession.^(L) I will spare^(M) them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son^(N) who serves him. ¹⁸ And you will again see the distinction between the righteous^(O) and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.^(P)