8. and followed the practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before them, as well as the practices that the kings of Israel had introduced.
9. The Israelites secretly did things against the Lord their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city they built themselves high places in all their towns.
10. They set up sacred stones and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every spreading tree.
11. At every high place they burned incense, as the nations whom the Lord had driven out before them had done. They did wicked things that aroused the Lord’s anger.
12. They worshipped idols, though the Lord had said, ‘You shall not do this.’
13. The Lord warned Israel and Judah through all his prophets and seers: ‘Turn from your evil ways. Observe my commands and decrees, in accordance with the entire Law that I commanded your ancestors to obey and that I delivered to you through my servants the prophets.’
14. But they would not listen and were as stiff-necked as their ancestors, who did not trust in the Lord their God.