And he madehouseson highplaces,and madepriestsfrom among allthe peoplewhowere not of the sonsof Levi.
Now when he had gone,a lionmethim on the wayand killedhim, and his bodywas thrownon the road,with the donkeystandingbesideit; the lionalso was standingbesidethe body.
For they alsobuiltfor themselves highplacesand [sacred] pillarsand Asherimon everyhighhilland beneatheveryluxurianttree.
So oneof the priestswhomthey had carriedawayinto exilefrom Samariacameand livedat Bethel,and taughtthem howthey should fearthe LORD.
But everynationstill madegodsof its own and putthem in the housesof the highplaceswhichthe peopleof Samariahad made,everynationin their citiesin whichthey lived.
They also fearedthe LORDand appointedfrom amongthemselves priestsof the highplaces,who actedfor them in the housesof the highplaces.
"Have you not drivenout the priestsof the LORD,the sonsof Aaronand the Levites,and madefor yourselves priestslike the peoplesof [other] lands?Whoevercomesto consecratehimselfwith a youngbulland sevenrams,even he may becomea priestof [what are] nogods.
"You builtyourself a highplaceat the topof everystreetand madeyour beautyabominable,and you spreadyour legsto everypasser-byto multiplyyour harlotry.
Is there iniquity[in] Gilead?Surelythey are worthless.In Gilgalthey sacrificebulls,Yes,their altarsare like the stoneheapsBesidethe furrowsof the field.
Then Amaziah,the priestof Bethel,sent[word] to Jeroboamkingof Israel,saying,"Amoshas conspiredagainstyou in the midstof the houseof Israel;the landis unableto endureallhis words.
"So you shall appointAaronand his sonsthat they may keeptheir priesthood,but the laymanwho comesnearshall be putto death."
"You shall givehim his wageson his daybefore the sunsets,for he is poorand setshis hearton it; so that he will not cryagainstyou to the LORDand it becomesinin you.
