For he sacrificedto the godsof Damascuswhich had defeatedhim, and said,"Becausethe godsof the kingsof Aramhelpedthem, I will sacrificeto them that they may helpme." But they becamethe downfallof him and allIsrael.
Now afterAmaziahcamefrom slaughteringthe Edomites,he broughtthe godsof the sonsof Seir,setthem up as his gods,boweddownbeforethem and burnedincenseto them.
But transgressorsand sinnerswill be crushedtogether,And those who forsakethe LORDwill cometo an end.
"Gatheryourselves and come;Drawneartogether,you fugitivesof the nations;They havenoknowledge,Who carryabout their woodenidolAnd prayto a godwho cannotsave.
"Like a scarecrowin a cucumberfieldare they, And they cannotspeak;They mustbe carried,Becausethey cannotwalk!Do not fearthem, For they can donoharm,Norcan they doanygood."
"Keepyour feetfrom being unshodAnd your throatfrom thirst;But you said,It is hopeless!No!For I have lovedstrangers,And afterthem I will walk.'
[It is] your destruction,O Israel,That [you are] against Me, against your help.
"She will pursueher lovers,but she will not overtakethem; And she will seekthem, but will not find[them]. Then she will say,I will gobackto my firsthusband,For it was betterfor me thenthannow!'
"Thenthey will sweepthrough[like] the windand passon. But they will be heldguilty,They whosestrengthis their god."
