They abandonedthe houseof the LORD,the Godof their fathers,and servedthe Asherimand the idols;so wrathcameupon Judahand Jerusalemfor thistheir guilt.
Now againthe angerof the LORDburnedagainst Israel,and it incitedDavidagainst them to say,"Go,numberIsraeland Judah."
For they alsobuiltfor themselves highplacesand [sacred] pillarsand Asherimon everyhighhilland beneatheveryluxurianttree.
you also have donemoreevilthanallwhowere beforeyou, and have goneand madefor yourself othergodsand moltenimagesto provokeMe to anger,and have castMe behindyour back--
When the kingdomof Rehoboamwas establishedand strong,he and allIsraelwith him forsookthe lawof the LORD.
And it cameabout in KingRehoboam'sfifthyear,becausethey had beenunfaithfulto the LORD,that Shishakkingof Egyptcameup againstJerusalem
Jehuthe sonof Hananithe seerwentout to meethim and saidto KingJehoshaphat,"Should you helpthe wickedand lovethose who hatethe LORDand so[bring] wrathon yourself from the LORD?
but have walkedin the wayof the kingsof Israel,and have caused Judahand the inhabitantsof Jerusalemto playthe harlotas the houseof Ahabplayedthe harlot,and you have alsokilledyour brothers,your own family,who were betterthanyou,
He didevilin the sightof the LORDlike the houseof Ahab,for they were his counselorsafterthe deathof his father,to his destruction.
But afterthe deathof Jehoiadathe officialsof Judahcameand boweddownto the king,and the kinglistenedto them.
Now it cameabout afterthisthat Joashdecidedto restorethe houseof the LORD.
Then the angerof the LORDburnedagainst Amaziah,and He senthim a prophetwho saidto him, "Whyhave you soughtthe godsof the peoplewhohave not deliveredtheir own peoplefrom your hand?"
and saidto them, "You must not bringthe captivesin here,for you are proposing[to bring] upon us guiltagainst the LORDaddingto our sinsand our guilt;for our guiltis greatso that [His] burningangeris againstIsrael."
"Therefore the wrathof the LORDwas againstJudahand Jerusalem,and He has madethem an objectof terror,of horror,and of hissing,as you seewith your own eyes.
But Hezekiahgavenoreturnfor the benefithe received,becausehis heartwas proud;therefore wrathcameon him and on Judahand Jerusalem.
"Becausethey have forsakenMe and have burnedincenseto othergods,that they might provokeMe to angerwith allthe worksof their hands;therefore My wrathwill be pouredout on thisplaceand it shall not be quenched."'
"Watchyourself that you makenocovenantwith the inhabitantsof the landinto whichyou are going,orit will becomea snarein your midst.
"But [rather], you are to teardowntheir altarsand smashtheir [sacred] pillarsand cutdowntheir Asherim--
As they remembertheir children,So they [remember] their altarsand their AsherimBy greentreeson the highhills.
For I [will be] like a lionto EphraimAnd like a younglionto the houseof Judah.I, even I, will tearto pieces and goaway, I will carryaway, and therewill be noneto deliver.
Let no onedeceiveyou with emptywords,for becauseof these thingsthe wrathof Godcomesupon the sonsof disobedience.
Did not Achanthe sonof Zerahactunfaithfullyin the thingsunderthe ban,and wrathfallon allthe congregationof Israel?And that mandid not perishalonein his iniquity.'"
"Newgodswere chosen;Thenwar[was] in the gates.Not a shieldor a spearwas seenAmong fortythousandin Israel.
Then it cameabout, as soonas Gideonwas dead,that the sonsof Israelagainplayedthe harlotwith the Baals,and madeBaal-beriththeir god.
