30. The men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth, the men of Cuth made Nergal, the men of Hamath made Ashima,
31. the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burned their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of the Sepharvaim.
32. They feared the Lord, but they also appointed from their number priests to serve them in the shrines of the high places.
33. They feared the Lord, but they also worshiped their own gods according to the custom of the nations where they had been deported from.
34. They are still practicing the former customs to this day. None of them fear the Lord or observe their statutes and ordinances, the law and commandments the Lord commanded the descendants of Jacob. He had renamed him Israel.
35. The Lord made a covenant with them and commanded them, “Do not fear other gods; do not bow down to them; do not serve them; do not sacrifice to them.
36. Instead fear the Lord, who brought you from the land of Egypt with great power and an outstretched arm. You are to bow down to Him, and you are to sacrifice to Him.
37. You are to be careful always to observe the statutes, the ordinances, the law, and the commandments He wrote for you; do not fear other gods.
38. Do not forget the covenant that I have made with you. Do not fear other gods,
39. but fear the Lord your God, and He will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies.”
40. However, they would not listen but continued practicing their former customs.
41. These nations feared the Lord but also served their idols. Their children and grandchildren continue doing as their fathers did until today.