Then the kingof Assyriacommanded,saying,"Takethereoneof the priestswhomyou carriedawayinto exileand let him goand livethere;and let him teachthem the customof the godof the land."
And he madehouseson highplaces,and madepriestsfrom among allthe peoplewhowere not of the sonsof Levi.
He criedagainstthe altarby the wordof the LORD,and said,"O altar,altar,thussaysthe LORD,'Behold,a sonshall be bornto the houseof David,Josiahby name;and on you he shall sacrificethe priestsof the highplaceswho burnincenseon you, and humanbonesshall be burnedon you.'"
So they spoketo the kingof Assyria,saying,"The nationswhomyou have carriedawayinto exilein the citiesof Samariado not knowthe customof the godof the land;so he has sentlionsamong them, and behold,they killthem becausethey do not knowthe customof the godof the land."
So oneof the priestswhomthey had carriedawayinto exilefrom Samariacameand livedat Bethel,and taughtthem howthey should fearthe LORD.
He setup priestsof his own for the highplaces,for the satyrsand for the calveswhichhe had made.
"You, Ezra,according to the wisdomof your Godwhichis in your hand,appointmagistratesand judgesthat they may judgeallthe peoplewhoare in [the province] beyondthe River,[even] allthose who knowthe lawsof your God;and you may teachanyone whois ignorant[of them].
Then Micahsaid,"NowI knowthat the LORDwill prosperme, seeingI havea Leviteas priest."
