For the LORDhumbledJudahbecauseof Ahazkingof Israel,for he had broughtabout a lackof restraintin Judahand was veryunfaithfulto the LORD.
And He said,"Whotoldyou that you were naked?Have you eatenfrom the treeof whichI commandedyou not to eat?"
Then the eyesof bothof them were opened,and they knewthat they were naked;and they sewedfigleavestogetherand madethemselvesloincoverings.
"He will giveup Israelon accountof the sinsof Jeroboam,whichhe committedand with whichhe made Israelto sin."
He said,"I have not troubledIsrael,but you and your father'shouse[have], because you have forsakenthe commandmentsof the LORDand you have followedthe Baals.
He had brothers,the sonsof Jehoshaphat:Azariah,Jehiel,Zechariah,Azaryahu,Michaeland Shephatiah.Allthese[were] the sonsof Jehoshaphatkingof Israel.
Ahaz[was] twentyyearsoldwhen he becameking,and he reignedsixteenyearsin Jerusalem;and he did not dorightin the sightof the LORDas Davidhis father[had done].
He sacrificedand burnedincenseon the highplaces,on the hillsand undereverygreentree.
Thus ManassehmisledJudahand the inhabitantsof Jerusalemto domoreevilthanthe nationswhomthe LORDdestroyedbeforethe sonsof Israel.
"Lookon everyonewhois proud,[and] humblehim, And treaddownthe wickedwherethey stand.
Now when Mosessawthat the peoplewere out of control--for Aaronhad let them getout of controlto be a derisionamong their enemies--
Righteousnessexaltsa nation,But sinis a disgraceto [any] people.
A man'spridewill bringhim low,But a humblespiritwill obtainhonor.
Ephraimis oppressed,crushedin judgment,Becausehe was determinedto follow[man's] command.
"It is a guiltoffering;he was certainlyguiltybefore the LORD."
"The statutesof OmriAnd allthe worksof the houseof Ahabare observed;And in their devicesyou walk.ThereforeI will giveyou up for destructionAnd your inhabitantsfor derision,And you will bearthe reproachof My people."
"The alienwhois amongyou shall riseaboveyou higherand higher,but you will godownlowerand lower.
("Behold,I am cominglikea thief.Blessedis the one who stays awakeand keepshis clothes,sothat he will not walk aboutnakedand men will not seehis shame.")
"The LORDmakespoorand rich;He bringslow,He alsoexalts.
