Yet they did not listen, but they continued their former practices.
They worshipped idols, about which Adonai had said to them, “You shall not do this thing.”
Up to this day, they follow their former customs. Nor do they fear Adonai, or follow the statutes, the ordinances, the Torah or the mitzvot that Adonai commanded the children of Jacob—whom He had renamed Israel.
but Adonai your God will you fear. Then He will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies.”
So while these nations feared Adonai, they also worshipped their idols. Their children and grandchildren do as their fathers did to this day.
Instead they followed the customs of the nations, whom Adonai had dispossessed before Bnei-Yisrael, yet which the kings of Israel practiced.
Can the Ethiopian change his skin? Or the leopard his spots? So, could you do good, that are accustomed to doing evil?
There you will serve man-made gods of wood and stone, which do not see or hear or eat or smell.