Manasseh encouraged the people of Judah and the people living in Jerusalem to do wrong. They were worse than the nations that were in the land before the Israelites—and the Lord destroyed those people!
“Judah, how can you say to me,\par ‘I am not guilty;\par I have not worshiped the Baal {\cf2\super [13]} idols’?\par Think about the things you did in the valley.\par Think about what you have done.\par You are like a fast she-camel\par that runs from place to place.\par
A young woman doesn’t forget her jewelry.\par A bride doesn’t forget the sash for her dress.\par But my people have forgotten me\par too many times to count.\par
You have blood on your hands!\par It is the blood of the poor, innocent people.\par You did not catch those people\par breaking into your house!\par You killed them for no reason!\par
It is so easy for you to change your mind.\par Assyria disappointed you,\par \{so you left Assyria\par and went to Egypt for help.\}\par But Egypt will also disappoint you.\par
So I punished you! I took away part of your allowance (land). I let your enemies, the daughters (cities) of the Philistines do what they wanted to you. Even they were shocked at the bad things you did.
“She served the Baals. {\cf2\super [17]} So I will punish her. She burned incense {\cf2\super [18]} to the Baals. She dressed up—she put on her jewelry and nose ring. Then she went to her lovers and forgot me.” The Lord has said this.