for he removedthe foreignaltarsand highplaces,toredownthe [sacred] pillars,cutdownthe Asherim,
"For I have chosenhim, sothat he may commandhis childrenand his householdafterhim to keepthe wayof the LORDby doingrighteousnessand justice,sothat the LORDmay bringupon AbrahamwhatHe has spokenabouthim."
He removedthe highplacesand brokedownthe [sacred] pillarsand cutdownthe Asherah.He also brokein piecesthe bronzeserpentthat Moseshad made,for untilthosedaysthe sonsof Israelburnedincenseto it; and it was calledNehushtan.
He brokein piecesthe [sacred] pillarsand cutdownthe Asherimand filledtheir placeswith humanbones.
He broughtout the Asherahfrom the houseof the LORDoutsideJerusalemto the brookKidron,and burnedit at the brookKidron,and ground[it] to dust,and threwits duston the gravesof the commonpeople.
Asadidgoodand rightin the sightof the LORDhis God,
and commandedJudahto seekthe LORDGodof their fathersand to observethe lawand the commandment.
But the highplaceswere not removedfrom Israel;neverthelessAsa'sheartwas blamelessallhis days.
He setup the altarof the LORDand sacrificedpeaceofferingsand thankofferingson it; and he orderedJudahto servethe LORDGodof Israel.
They toredownthe altarsof the Baalsin his presence,and the incensealtarsthat were highabovethem he choppeddown;also the Asherim,the carvedimagesand the moltenimageshe brokein piecesand groundto powderand scattered[it] on the gravesof those who had sacrificedto them.
"But [rather], you are to teardowntheir altarsand smashtheir [sacred] pillarsand cutdowntheir Asherim--
I then will destroyyour highplaces,and cutdownyour incensealtars,and heapyour remainson the remainsof your idols,for My soulshall abhoryou.
"The gravenimagesof their godsyou are to burnwith fire;you shall not covetthe silveror the goldthat is on them, nortakeit for yourselves, oryou will be snaredby it, for it is an abominationto the LORDyour God.
"But thusyou shall doto them: you shall teardowntheir altars,and smashtheir [sacred] pillars,and hewdowntheir Asherim,and burntheir gravenimageswith fire.
