³²So while these people were worshiping the Lord, they also appointed all kinds of people to serve as priests for the shrines at their illegal places of worship. ³³They worshiped the Lord but also served their own gods according to the customs of the nations from which they had come.

³⁴Today they are still following their customs, as they’ve done from the beginning. They don’t fear the Lord or live by the decrees, customs, teachings, or commands that the Lord gave to the descendants of Jacob (whom he named Israel). ³⁵When the Lord made a promise to Israel, he commanded, “Never worship other gods, bow down to them, serve them, or sacrifice to them. ³⁶Instead, worship the Lord, who used his great power and a mighty arm to bring you out of Egypt. Bow down to the Lord, and sacrifice to him. ³⁷Faithfully obey the laws, rules, teachings, and commands that he wrote for you: ‘Never worship other gods. ³⁸Never forget the promise I made to you. Never worship other gods. ³⁹Instead, worship the Lord your God, and he will rescue you from your enemies.’ ”

⁴⁰The people of Israel had refused to listen and made up their own rules, as they had done from the beginning. ⁴¹These ⸤other⸥ nations worshiped the Lord but also served their own idols. So did their children and their grandchildren. They still do whatever their ancestors did.

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