[Who] inflameyourselves among the oaks,Undereveryluxurianttree,Who slaughterthe childrenin the ravines,Underthe cleftsof the crags?
For they alsobuiltfor themselves highplacesand [sacred] pillarsand Asherimon everyhighhilland beneatheveryluxurianttree.
They setfor themselves [sacred] pillarsand Asherimon everyhighhilland undereverygreentree,
Now [this] cameabout becausethe sonsof Israelhad sinnedagainst the LORDtheir God,who had broughtthem up from the landof Egyptfrom underthe handof Pharaoh,kingof Egypt,and they had fearedothergods
He also defiledTopheth,whichis in the valleyof the sonof Hinnom,that nomanmight make his sonor his daughterpassthrough the firefor Molech.
Moreover, he burnedincensein the valleyof Ben-hinnomand burnedhis sonsin fire,according to the abominationsof the nationswhomthe LORDhad drivenout beforethe sonsof Israel.
So the nextdaythey roseearlyand offeredburntofferings,and broughtpeaceofferings;and the peoplesatdownto eatand to drink,and roseup to play.
Surelyyou will be ashamedof the oakswhichyou have desired,And you will be embarrassedat the gardenswhichyou have chosen.
As they remembertheir children,So they [remember] their altarsand their AsherimBy greentreeson the highhills.
"For longagoI brokeyour yoke[And] toreoffyour bonds;But you said,'I will not serve!'For on everyhighhillAnd undereverygreentreeYou have laindownas a harlot.
Onlyacknowledgeyour iniquity,That you have transgressedagainst the LORDyour GodAnd have scatteredyour favorsto the strangersundereverygreentree,And you have not obeyedMy voice,'declaresthe LORD.
Then the LORDsaidto me in the daysof Josiahthe king,"Have you seenwhatfaithlessIsraeldid?She wentup on everyhighhilland undereverygreentree,and she was a harlotthere.
"They builtthe highplacesof Baalthat are in the valleyof Ben-hinnomto cause their sonsand their daughtersto passthrough[the fire] to Molech,whichI had not commandedthem norhad it enteredMy mindthat they should dothisabomination,to cause Judahto sin.
"A droughton her waters,and they will be driedup! For it is a landof idols,And they are madover fearsomeidols.
Babylonhas been a goldencupin the handof the LORD,Intoxicatingallthe earth.The nationshave drunkof her wine;Thereforethe nationsare goingmad.
"They have builtthe highplacesof Topheth,whichis in the valleyof the sonof Hinnom,to burntheir sonsand their daughtersin the fire,whichI did not command,and it did not comeinto My mind.
"Moreover, you tookyour sonsand daughterswhomyou had borneto Me and sacrificedthem to idols to be devoured.Were your harlotriessosmalla matter?
and I pronouncedthem uncleanbecause of their gifts,in that they caused alltheir firstbornto passthrough[the fire] sothat I might makethem desolate,in orderthat they might knowthat I am the LORD."'
"When I had broughtthem into the landwhichI sworeto giveto them, then they saweveryhighhilland everyleafytree,and they offeredtheretheir sacrificesand therethey presentedthe provocationof their offering.Therealso they madetheir soothingaromaand therethey pouredout their drinkofferings.
"When you offeryour gifts,when you cause your sonsto passthrough the fire,you are defilingyourselves with allyour idolsto this day.And shall I be inquiredof by you, O houseof Israel?As I live,"declaresthe LordGOD,"I will not be inquiredof by you.
"Then you will knowthat I am the LORD,when their slainare amongtheir idolsaroundtheir altars,on everyhighhill,on allthe topsof the mountains,undereverygreentreeand undereveryleafyoak--the placeswherethey offeredsoothingaromato alltheir idols.
You shall not giveanyof your offspringto offerthem to Molech,norshall you profanethe nameof your God;I am the LORD.
Then behold,oneof the sonsof Israelcameand broughtto his relativesa Midianitewoman,in the sightof Mosesand in the sightof allthe congregationof the sonsof Israel,while they were weepingat the doorwayof the tentof meeting.
"You shall utterlydestroyallthe placeswherethe nationswhomyou shall dispossessservetheir gods,on the highmountainsand on the hillsand undereverygreentree.
"For allthe nationshave drunkof the wineof the passionof her immorality,and the kingsof the earthhave committed [acts of] immoralitywith her, and the merchantsof the earthhave become richby the wealthof her sensuality."
