31. The Avvites worshiped Nibhaz and Tartak. And the Sepharvites burned their children in the fire. They sacrificed them to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim.
32. They also worshiped the Lord. But they chose priests for the places where false gods were worshiped. The priests were chosen from among themselves. And they made sacrifices for the people.
33. The people worshiped the Lord but also served their own gods. They served their gods as the nations did from which they had been brought.
34. Even today they do as they did in the past. They do not worship the Lord. They do not obey his rules and commands. They do not obey the teachings or the commands of the Lord. He gave these commands to the children of Jacob, whom the Lord had named Israel.
35. The Lord had made an agreement with them. He had commanded them, “Do not worship other gods. Do not bow down to them or serve them. Do not give sacrifices to them.
36. Worship the Lord who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. He did it with great power and strength. Bow to the Lord and make sacrifices to him.
37. Obey the rules, orders and the teachings. Obey the commands the Lord wrote for you. Obey and always do them. Do not worship other gods.
38. Do not forget the agreement I made with you. And do not worship other gods.
39. Instead worship the Lord your God. He will save you from all your enemies.”
40. But the Israelites did not listen. They kept on doing the same things they had done before.
41. So these nations worshiped the Lord but served their idols. And their children and grandchildren still do as their ancestors did.