39. But our ancestors refused to obey Moses. They rejected him and wanted to go back to Egypt.
40. The people said to Aaron, “Make some gods to lead us! Moses led us out of Egypt, but we don't know what's happened to him now.”
41. Then they made an idol in the shape of a calf. They offered sacrifices to the idol and were pleased with what they had done.
42. God turned his back on his people and left them. Then they worshipped the stars in the sky, just as it says in the Book of the Prophets, “People of Israel, you didn't offer sacrifices and offerings to me during those forty years in the desert.
43. Instead, you carried the tent where the god Molech is worshipped, and you took along the star of your god Rephan. You made those idols and worshipped them. So now I will have you carried off beyond Babylonia.”
44. The tent where our ancestors worshipped God was with them in the desert. This was the same tent that God had commanded Moses to make. And it was made like the model that Moses had seen.
45. Later it was given to our ancestors, and they took it with them when they went with Joshua. They carried the tent along as they took over the land from those people that God had chased out for them. Our ancestors used this tent until the time of King David.
46. He pleased God and asked him if he could build a house of worship for the people of Israel.
47. And it was finally King Solomon who built a house for God.
48. But the Most High God doesn't live in houses made by humans. It is just as the prophet said, when he spoke for the Lord,
49. “Heaven is my throne,and the earthis my footstool.What kind of housewill you build for me?In what place will I rest?
50. I have made everything.”
51. You stubborn and hard-headed people! You are always fighting against the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors did.