2 Kings 17:32–41

³²They feared the Lord, but they also made from their ranks priests for the high places, who were working for them at the shrines of the high places.^{ad 33}They feared the Lord, but they also worshiped their own gods^ae according to the practice of the nations from which they had been deported.

³⁴They are still observing the former practices to this day. None of them fear the Lord or observe the statutes and ordinances, the law and commandments that the Lord had commanded the descendants of Jacob, whom he had given the name Israel.^{af 35}The Lord made a covenant with Jacob’s descendants and commanded them, “Do not fear other gods; do not bow in worship to them;^ag do not serve them; do not sacrifice to them.^{ah 36}Instead fear the Lord, who brought you up from the land of Egypt with great power^ai and an outstretched arm.^a You are to bow down to him, and you are to sacrifice to him. ³⁷You are to be careful always^b to observe the statutes, the ordinances, the law, and the commandments he wrote for you; do not fear other gods. ³⁸Do not forget the covenant that I have made with you.^c Do not fear other gods, ³⁹but fear the Lord your God, and he will rescue you from all your enemies.”^d

⁴⁰However, these nations would not listen but continued observing their former practices. ⁴¹They feared the Lord but also served their idols. Still today, their children and grandchildren continue doing as their ancestors did.^e