2Kgs.16.1

In the seventeenth year of Pekah son of Remaliah, Ahaz son of Jotham became king of Judah.

2Kgs.16.1

In the seventeenth year of Pekah son of Remaliah, Ahaz son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign.

2Kgs.16.1

In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah, Ahaz the son of Jotham, king of Judah, began to reign.

2Kgs.16.1

Ahaz son of Jotham began to rule over Judah in the seventeenth year of King Pekah's reign in Israel.

2Kgs.16.2

Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king and he ruled for sixteen years in Jerusalem. He didn't behave in the eyes of his GOD; he wasn't at all like his ancestor David.

2Kgs.16.2

Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. Unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD his God.

2Kgs.16.2

Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem; and he did not do what was right in the sight of the LORD his God, as his father David had done.

2Kgs.16.2

Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. He did not do what was pleasing in the sight of the LORD his God, as his ancestor David had done.

2Kgs.16.3

Instead he followed in the track of the kings of Israel. He even indulged in the outrageous practice of "passing his son through the fire"--a truly abominable act he picked up from the pagans GOD had earlier thrown out of the country.

2Kgs.16.3

He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and even sacrificed his son in the fire, following the detestable ways of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.

2Kgs.16.3

But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel; indeed he made his son pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD had cast out from before the children of Israel.

2Kgs.16.3

Instead, he followed the example of the kings of Israel, even sacrificing his own son in the fire. He imitated the detestable practices of the pagan nations the LORD had driven from the land ahead of the Israelites.

2Kgs.16.4

He also participated in the activities of the neighborhood sex-and-religion shrines that flourished all over the place.

2Kgs.16.4

He offered sacrifices and burned incense at the high places, on the hilltops and under every spreading tree.

2Kgs.16.4

And he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree.

2Kgs.16.4

He offered sacrifices and burned incense at the pagan shrines and on the hills and under every green tree.

2Kgs.16.5

Then Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel ganged up against Jerusalem, throwing a siege around the city, but they couldn't make further headway against Ahaz.

2Kgs.16.5

Then Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel marched up to fight against Jerusalem and besieged Ahaz, but they could not overpower him.

2Kgs.16.5

Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, came up to Jerusalem to make war; and they besieged Ahaz but could not overcome him.

2Kgs.16.5

Then King Rezin of Aram and King Pekah of Israel declared war on Ahaz. They besieged Jerusalem but did not conquer it.

2Kgs.16.6

At about this same time and on another front, the king of Edom recovered the port of Elath and expelled the men of Judah. The Edomites occupied Elath and have been there ever since.

2Kgs.16.6

At that time, Rezin king of Aram recovered Elath for Aram by driving out the men of Judah. Edomites then moved into Elath and have lived there to this day.

2Kgs.16.6

At that time Rezin king of Syria captured Elath for Syria, and drove the men of Judah from Elath. Then the Edomites went to Elath, and dwell there to this day.

2Kgs.16.6

At that time the king of Edom recovered the town of Elath for Edom. He drove out the people of Judah and sent Edomites to live there, as they do to this day.

2Kgs.16.7

Ahaz sent envoys to Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria with this message: "I'm your servant and your son. Come and save me from the heavy-handed invasion of the king of Aram and the king of Israel. They're attacking me right now."

2Kgs.16.7

Ahaz sent messengers to say to Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria, "I am your servant and vassal. Come up and save me out of the hand of the king of Aram and of the king of Israel, who are attacking me."

2Kgs.16.7

So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria, saying, "I am your servant and your son. Come up and save me from the hand of the king of Syria and from the hand of the king of Israel, who rise up against me."

2Kgs.16.7

King Ahaz sent messengers to King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria with this message: "I am your servant and your vassal. Come up and rescue me from the attacking armies of Aram and Israel."

2Kgs.16.8

Then Ahaz robbed the treasuries of the palace and The Temple of GOD of their gold and silver and sent them to the king of Assyria as a bribe.

2Kgs.16.8

And Ahaz took the silver and gold found in the temple of the LORD and in the treasuries of the royal palace and sent it as a gift to the king of Assyria.

2Kgs.16.8

And Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasuries of the king's house, and sent it as a present to the king of Assyria.

2Kgs.16.8

Then Ahaz took the silver and gold from the Temple of the LORD and the palace treasury and sent it as a gift to the Assyrian king.

2Kgs.16.9

The king of Assyria responded to him. He attacked and captured Damascus. He deported the people to Nineveh as exiles. Rezin he killed.

2Kgs.16.9

The king of Assyria complied by attacking Damascus and capturing it. He deported its inhabitants to Kir and put Rezin to death.

2Kgs.16.9

So the king of Assyria heeded him; for the king of Assyria went up against Damascus and took it, carried its people captive to Kir, and killed Rezin.

2Kgs.16.9

So the Assyrians attacked the Aramean capital of Damascus and led its population away as captives, resettling them in Kir. They also killed King Rezin.

2Kgs.16.10

King Ahaz went to meet Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria in Damascus. The altar in Damascus made a great impression on him. He sent back to Uriah the priest a drawing and set of blueprints of the altar.

2Kgs.16.10

Then King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria. He saw an altar in Damascus and sent to Uriah the priest a sketch of the altar, with detailed plans for its construction.

2Kgs.16.10

Now King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria, and saw an altar that was at Damascus; and King Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the design of the altar and its pattern, according to all its workmanship.

2Kgs.16.10

King Ahaz then went to Damascus to meet with King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria. While he was there, he noticed an unusual altar. So he sent a model of the altar to Uriah the priest, along with its design in full detail.

2Kgs.16.11

Uriah the priest built the altar to the specifications that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus. By the time the king returned from Damascus, Uriah had completed the altar.

2Kgs.16.11

So Uriah the priest built an altar in accordance with all the plans that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus and finished it before King Ahaz returned.

2Kgs.16.11

Then Urijah the priest built an altar according to all that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus. So Urijah the priest made it before King Ahaz came back from Damascus.

2Kgs.16.11

Uriah built an altar just like it by following the king's instructions, and it was ready for the king when he returned from Damascus.

2Kgs.16.12

The minute the king saw the altar he approached it with reverence and arranged a service of worship with a full course of offerings:

2Kgs.16.12

When the king came back from Damascus and saw the altar, he approached it and presented offerings on it.

2Kgs.16.12

And when the king came back from Damascus, the king saw the altar; and the king approached the altar and made offerings on it.

2Kgs.16.12

When the king returned, he inspected the altar and made offerings on it.

2Kgs.16.13

Whole-Burnt-Offerings with billows of smoke, Grain-Offerings, libations of Drink-Offerings, the sprinkling of blood from the Peace-Offerings--the works.

2Kgs.16.13

He offered up his burnt offering and grain offering, poured out his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his fellowship offerings on the altar.

2Kgs.16.13

So he burned his burnt offering and his grain offering; and he poured his drink offering and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings on the altar.

2Kgs.16.13

The king presented a burnt offering and a grain offering, poured a drink offering over it, and sprinkled the blood of peace offerings on it.

2Kgs.16.14

But the old bronze Altar that signaled the presence of GOD he displaced from its central place and pushed it off to the side of his new altar.

2Kgs.16.14

The bronze altar that stood before the LORD he brought from the front of the temple-from between the new altar and the temple of the LORD -and put it on the north side of the new altar.

2Kgs.16.14

He also brought the bronze altar which was before the LORD, from the front of the temple--from between the new altar and the house of the LORD--and put it on the north side of the new altar.

2Kgs.16.14

Then King Ahaz removed the old bronze altar from the front of the LORD's Temple, which had stood between the entrance and the new altar, and placed it on the north side of the new altar.

2Kgs.16.15

Then King Ahaz ordered Uriah the priest: "From now on offer all the sacrifices on the new altar, the great altar: morning Whole-Burnt-Offerings, evening Grain-Offerings, the king's Whole-Burnt-Offerings and Grain-Offerings, the people's Whole-Burnt-Offerings and Grain-Offerings, and also their Drink-Offerings. Splash all the blood from the burnt offerings and sacrifices against this altar. The old bronze Altar will be for my personal use.

2Kgs.16.15

King Ahaz then gave these orders to Uriah the priest: "On the large new altar, offer the morning burnt offering and the evening grain offering, the king's burnt offering and his grain offering, and the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their grain offering and their drink offering. Sprinkle on the altar all the blood of the burnt offerings and sacrifices. But I will use the bronze altar for seeking guidance."

2Kgs.16.15

Then King Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, "On the great new altar burn the morning burnt offering, the evening grain offering, the king's burnt sacrifice, and his grain offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, their grain offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle on it all the blood of the burnt offering and all the blood of the sacrifice. And the bronze altar shall be for me to inquire by."

2Kgs.16.15

He said to Uriah the priest, "Use the new altar for the morning sacrifices of burnt offering, the evening grain offering, the king's burnt offering and grain offering, and the offerings of the people, including their drink offerings. The blood from the burnt offerings and sacrifices should be sprinkled over the new altar. The old bronze altar will be only for my personal use."

2Kgs.16.16

The priest Uriah followed King Ahaz's orders to the letter.

2Kgs.16.16

And Uriah the priest did just as King Ahaz had ordered.

2Kgs.16.16

Thus did Urijah the priest, according to all that King Ahaz commanded.

2Kgs.16.16

Uriah the priest did just as King Ahaz instructed him.

2Kgs.16.17

Then King Ahaz proceeded to plunder The Temple furniture of all its bronze. He stripped the bronze from The Temple furnishings, even salvaged the four bronze oxen that supported the huge basin, The Sea, and set The Sea unceremoniously on the stone pavement.

2Kgs.16.17

King Ahaz took away the side panels and removed the basins from the movable stands. He removed the Sea from the bronze bulls that supported it and set it on a stone base.

2Kgs.16.17

And King Ahaz cut off the panels of the carts, and removed the lavers from them; and he took down the Sea from the bronze oxen that were under it, and put it on a pavement of stones.

2Kgs.16.17

Then the king removed the side panels and basins from the portable water carts. He also removed the Sea from the backs of the bronze oxen and placed it on the stone pavement.

2Kgs.16.18

Finally, he removed any distinctive features from within The Temple that were offensive to the king of Assyria.

2Kgs.16.18

He took away the Sabbath canopy that had been built at the temple and removed the royal entryway outside the temple of the LORD, in deference to the king of Assyria.

2Kgs.16.18

Also he removed the Sabbath pavilion which they had built in the temple, and he removed the king's outer entrance from the house of the LORD, on account of the king of Assyria.

2Kgs.16.18

In deference to the king of Assyria, he also removed the canopy that had been constructed inside the palace for use on the Sabbath day, as well as the king's outer entrance to the Temple of the LORD.

2Kgs.16.19

The rest of the life and times of Ahaz is written in The Chronicles of the Kings of Judah.

2Kgs.16.19

As for the other events of the reign of Ahaz, and what he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah?

2Kgs.16.19

Now the rest of the acts of Ahaz which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

2Kgs.16.19

The rest of the events in Ahaz's reign and his deeds are recorded in The Book of the History of the Kings of Judah.

2Kgs.16.20

Ahaz died and was buried with his ancestors in the City of David. His son Hezekiah became the next king.

2Kgs.16.20

Ahaz rested with his fathers and was buried with them in the City of David. And Hezekiah his son succeeded him as king.

2Kgs.16.20

So Ahaz rested with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the City of David. Then Hezekiah his son reigned in his place.

2Kgs.16.20

When Ahaz died, he was buried with his ancestors in the City of David. Then his son Hezekiah became the next king.

2Kgs.17.1

In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah, Hoshea son of Elah became king of Israel. He ruled in Samaria for nine years.

2Kgs.17.1

In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah, Hoshea son of Elah became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned nine years.

2Kgs.17.1

In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah, Hoshea the son of Elah became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned nine years.

2Kgs.17.1

Hoshea son of Elah began to rule over Israel in the twelfth year of King Ahaz's reign in Judah. He reigned in Samaria nine years.

2Kgs.17.2

As far as GOD was concerned, he lived a bad life, but not nearly as bad as the kings who had preceded him.

2Kgs.17.2

He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, but not like the kings of Israel who preceded him.

2Kgs.17.2

And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Israel who were before him.

2Kgs.17.2

He did what was evil in the LORD's sight, but not as much as the kings of Israel who ruled before him.

2Kgs.17.3

Then Shalmaneser king of Assyria attacked. Hoshea was already a puppet of the Assyrian king and regularly sent him tribute,

2Kgs.17.3

Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up to attack Hoshea, who had been Shalmaneser's vassal and had paid him tribute.

2Kgs.17.3

Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against him; and Hoshea became his vassal, and paid him tribute money.

2Kgs.17.3

King Shalmaneser of Assyria attacked and defeated King Hoshea, so Israel was forced to pay heavy annual tribute to Assyria.

2Kgs.17.4

but Shalmaneser discovered that Hoshea had been operating traitorously behind his back--having worked out a deal with King So of Egypt. And, adding insult to injury, Hoshea was way behind on his annual payments of tribute to Assyria. So the king of Assyria arrested him and threw him in prison,

2Kgs.17.4

But the king of Assyria discovered that Hoshea was a traitor, for he had sent envoys to So king of Egypt, and he no longer paid tribute to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year. Therefore Shalmaneser seized him and put him in prison.

2Kgs.17.4

And the king of Assyria uncovered a conspiracy by Hoshea; for he had sent messengers to So, king of Egypt, and brought no tribute to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year. Therefore the king of Assyria shut him up, and bound him in prison.

2Kgs.17.4

Then Hoshea conspired against the king of Assyria by asking King So of Egypt to help him shake free of Assyria's power and by refusing to pay the annual tribute to Assyria. When the king of Assyria discovered this treachery, he arrested him and put him in prison for his rebellion.

2Kgs.17.5

then proceeded to invade the entire country. He attacked Samaria and threw up a siege against it. The siege lasted three years.

2Kgs.17.5

The king of Assyria invaded the entire land, marched against Samaria and laid siege to it for three years.

2Kgs.17.5

Now the king of Assyria went throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria and besieged it for three years.

2Kgs.17.5

Then the king of Assyria invaded the entire land, and for three years he besieged Samaria.

2Kgs.17.6

In the ninth year of Hoshea's reign the king of Assyria captured Samaria and took the people into exile in Assyria. He relocated them in Halah, in Gozan along the Habor River, and in the towns of the Medes.

2Kgs.17.6

In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria. He settled them in Halah, in Gozan on the Habor River and in the towns of the Medes.

2Kgs.17.6

In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria took Samaria and carried Israel away to Assyria, and placed them in Halah and by the Habor, the River of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.

2Kgs.17.6

Finally, in the ninth year of King Hoshea's reign, Samaria fell, and the people of Israel were exiled to Assyria. They were settled in colonies in Halah, along the banks of the Habor River in Gozan, and among the cities of the Medes.

2Kgs.17.7

The exile came about because of sin: The children of Israel sinned against GOD, their God, who had delivered them from Egypt and the brutal oppression of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They took up with other gods,

2Kgs.17.7

All this took place because the Israelites had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them up out of Egypt from under the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They worshiped other gods

2Kgs.17.7

For so it was that the children of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and they had feared other gods,

2Kgs.17.7

This disaster came upon the nation of Israel because the people worshiped other gods, sinning against the LORD their God, who had brought them safely out of their slavery in Egypt.

2Kgs.17.8

fell in with the ways of life of the pagan nations GOD had chased off, and went along with whatever their kings did.

2Kgs.17.8

and followed the practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before them, as well as the practices that the kings of Israel had introduced.

2Kgs.17.8

and had walked in the statutes of the nations whom the LORD had cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they had made.

2Kgs.17.8

They had imitated the practices of the pagan nations the LORD had driven from the land before them, as well as the practices the kings of Israel had introduced.

2Kgs.17.9

They did all kinds of things on the sly, things offensive to their GOD, then openly and shamelessly built local sex-and-religion shrines at every available site.

2Kgs.17.9

The Israelites secretly did things against the LORD their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city they built themselves high places in all their towns.

2Kgs.17.9

Also the children of Israel secretly did against the LORD their God things that were not right, and they built for themselves high places in all their cities, from watchtower to fortified city.

2Kgs.17.9

The people of Israel had also secretly done many things that were not pleasing to the LORD their God. They built pagan shrines for themselves in all their towns, from the smallest outpost to the largest walled city.

2Kgs.17.10

They set up their sex-and-religion symbols at practically every crossroads.

2Kgs.17.10

They set up sacred stones and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every spreading tree.

2Kgs.17.10

They set up for themselves sacred pillars and wooden images on every high hill and under every green tree.

2Kgs.17.10

They set up sacred pillars and Asherah poles at the top of every hill and under every green tree.

2Kgs.17.11

Everywhere you looked there was smoke from their pagan offerings to the deities--the identical offerings that had gotten the pagan nations off into exile. They had accumulated a long list of evil actions and GOD was fed up,

2Kgs.17.11

At every high place they burned incense, as the nations whom the LORD had driven out before them had done. They did wicked things that provoked the LORD to anger.

2Kgs.17.11

There they burned incense on all the high places, like the nations whom the LORD had carried away before them; and they did wicked things to provoke the LORD to anger,

2Kgs.17.11

They burned incense at the shrines, just like the nations the LORD had driven from the land ahead of them. So the people of Israel had done many evil things, arousing the LORD's anger.

2Kgs.17.12

fed up with their persistent worship of gods carved out of deadwood or shaped out of clay, even though GOD had plainly said, "Don't do this--ever!"

2Kgs.17.12

They worshiped idols, though the LORD had said, "You shall not do this."

2Kgs.17.12

for they served idols, of which the LORD had said to them, "You shall not do this thing."

2Kgs.17.12

Yes, they worshiped idols, despite the LORD's specific and repeated warnings.

2Kgs.17.13

GOD had taken a stand against Israel and Judah, speaking clearly through countless holy prophets and seers time and time again, "Turn away from your evil way of life. Do what I tell you and have been telling you in The Revelation I gave your ancestors and of which I've kept reminding you ever since through my servants the prophets."

2Kgs.17.13

The LORD warned Israel and Judah through all his prophets and seers: "Turn from your evil ways. Observe my commands and decrees, in accordance with the entire Law that I commanded your fathers to obey and that I delivered to you through my servants the prophets."

2Kgs.17.13

Yet the LORD testified against Israel and against Judah, by all of His prophets, every seer, saying, "Turn from your evil ways, and keep My commandments and My statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by My servants the prophets."

2Kgs.17.13

Again and again the LORD had sent his prophets and seers to warn both Israel and Judah: "Turn from all your evil ways. Obey my commands and laws, which are contained in the whole law that I commanded your ancestors and which I gave you through my servants the prophets."

2Kgs.17.14

But they wouldn't listen. If anything, they were even more bullheaded than their stubborn ancestors, if that's possible.

2Kgs.17.14

But they would not listen and were as stiff-necked as their fathers, who did not trust in the LORD their God.

2Kgs.17.14

Nevertheless they would not hear, but stiffened their necks, like the necks of their fathers, who did not believe in the LORD their God.

2Kgs.17.14

But the Israelites would not listen. They were as stubborn as their ancestors and refused to believe in the LORD their God.

2Kgs.17.15

They were contemptuous of his instructions, the solemn and holy covenant he had made with their ancestors, and of his repeated reminders and warnings. They lived a "nothing" life and became "nothings"--just like the pagan peoples all around them. They were well-warned: GOD said, "Don't!" but they did it anyway.

2Kgs.17.15

They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their fathers and the warnings he had given them. They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless. They imitated the nations around them although the LORD had ordered them, "Do not do as they do," and they did the things the LORD had forbidden them to do.

2Kgs.17.15

And they rejected His statutes and His covenant that He had made with their fathers, and His testimonies which He had testified against them; they followed idols, became idolaters, and went after the nations who were all around them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them that they should not do like them.

2Kgs.17.15

They rejected his laws and the covenant he had made with their ancestors, and they despised all his warnings. They worshiped worthless idols and became worthless themselves. They followed the example of the nations around them, disobeying the LORD's command not to imitate them.

2Kgs.17.16

They threw out everything GOD, their God, had told them, and replaced him with two statue-gods shaped like bull-calves and then a phallic pole for the whore goddess Asherah. They worshiped cosmic forces--sky gods and goddesses--and frequented the sex-and-religion shrines of Baal.

2Kgs.17.16

They forsook all the commands of the LORD their God and made for themselves two idols cast in the shape of calves, and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the starry hosts, and they worshiped Baal.

2Kgs.17.16

So they left all the commandments of the LORD their God, made for themselves a molded image and two calves, made a wooden image and worshiped all the host of heaven, and served Baal.

2Kgs.17.16

They defied all the commands of the LORD their God and made two calves from metal. They set up an Asherah pole and worshiped Baal and all the forces of heaven.

2Kgs.17.17

They even sank so low as to offer their own sons and daughters as sacrificial burnt offerings! They indulged in all the black arts of magic and sorcery. In short, they prostituted themselves to every kind of evil available to them. And GOD had had enough.

2Kgs.17.17

They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire. They practiced divination and sorcery and sold themselves to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger.

2Kgs.17.17

And they caused their sons and daughters to pass through the fire, practiced witchcraft and soothsaying, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger.

2Kgs.17.17

They even sacrificed their own sons and daughters in the fire. They consulted fortune-tellers and used sorcery and sold themselves to evil, arousing the LORD's anger.

2Kgs.17.18

GOD was so thoroughly angry that he got rid of them, got them out of the country for good until only one tribe was left--Judah.

2Kgs.17.18

So the LORD was very angry with Israel and removed them from his presence. Only the tribe of Judah was left,

2Kgs.17.18

Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them from His sight; there was none left but the tribe of Judah alone.

2Kgs.17.18

And because the LORD was angry, he swept them from his presence. Only the tribe of Judah remained in the land.

2Kgs.17.19

(Judah, actually, wasn't much better, for Judah also failed to keep GOD's commands, falling into the same way of life that Israel had adopted.)

2Kgs.17.19

and even Judah did not keep the commands of the LORD their God. They followed the practices Israel had introduced.

2Kgs.17.19

Also Judah did not keep the commandments of the LORD their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made.

2Kgs.17.19

But even the people of Judah refused to obey the commands of the LORD their God. They walked down the same evil paths that Israel had established.

2Kgs.17.20

GOD rejected everyone connected with Israel, made life hard for them, and permitted anyone with a mind to exploit them to do so. And then this final No as he threw them out of his sight.

2Kgs.17.20

Therefore the LORD rejected all the people of Israel; he afflicted them and gave them into the hands of plunderers, until he thrust them from his presence.

2Kgs.17.20

And the LORD rejected all the descendants of Israel, afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of plunderers, until He had cast them from His sight.

2Kgs.17.20

So the LORD rejected all the descendants of Israel. He punished them by handing them over to their attackers until they were destroyed.

2Kgs.17.21

Back at the time that God ripped Israel out of their place in the family of David, they had made Jeroboam son of Nebat king. Jeroboam debauched Israel--turned them away from serving GOD and led them into a life of total sin.

2Kgs.17.21

When he tore Israel away from the house of David, they made Jeroboam son of Nebat their king. Jeroboam enticed Israel away from following the LORD and caused them to commit a great sin.

2Kgs.17.21

For He tore Israel from the house of David, and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king. Then Jeroboam drove Israel from following the LORD, and made them commit a great sin.

2Kgs.17.21

For when the LORD tore Israel away from the kingdom of David, they chose Jeroboam son of Nebat as their king. Then Jeroboam drew Israel away from following the LORD and made them commit a great sin.

2Kgs.17.22

The children of Israel went along with all the sins that Jeroboam did, never murmured so much as a word of protest.

2Kgs.17.22

The Israelites persisted in all the sins of Jeroboam and did not turn away from them

2Kgs.17.22

For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they did not depart from them,

2Kgs.17.22

And the people of Israel persisted in all the evil ways of Jeroboam. They did not turn from these sins of idolatry

2Kgs.17.23

In the end, GOD spoke a final No to Israel and turned his back on them. He had given them fair warning, and plenty of time, through the preaching of all his servants the prophets. Then he exiled Israel from her land to Assyria. And that's where they are now.

2Kgs.17.23

until the LORD removed them from his presence, as he had warned through all his servants the prophets. So the people of Israel were taken from their homeland into exile in Assyria, and they are still there.

2Kgs.17.23

until the LORD removed Israel out of His sight, as He had said by all His servants the prophets. So Israel was carried away from their own land to Assyria, as it is to this day.

2Kgs.17.23

until the LORD finally swept them away, just as all his prophets had warned would happen. So Israel was carried off to the land of Assyria, where they remain to this day.

2Kgs.17.24

The king of Assyria brought in people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim, and relocated them in the towns of Samaria, replacing the exiled Israelites. They moved in as if they owned the place and made themselves at home.

2Kgs.17.24

The king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath and Sepharvaim and settled them in the towns of Samaria to replace the Israelites. They took over Samaria and lived in its towns.

2Kgs.17.24

Then the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Ava, Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel; and they took possession of Samaria and dwelt in its cities.

2Kgs.17.24

And the king of Assyria transported groups of people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim and resettled them in the towns of Samaria, replacing the people of Israel. So the Assyrians took over Samaria and the other towns of Israel.

2Kgs.17.25

When the Assyrians first moved in, GOD was just another god to them; they neither honored nor worshiped him. Then GOD sent lions among them and people were mauled and killed.

2Kgs.17.25

When they first lived there, they did not worship the LORD; so he sent lions among them and they killed some of the people.

2Kgs.17.25

And it was so, at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they did not fear the LORD; therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which killed some of them.

2Kgs.17.25

But since these foreign settlers did not worship the LORD when they first arrived, the LORD sent lions among them to kill some of them.

2Kgs.17.26

This message was then sent back to the king of Assyria: "The people you brought in to occupy the towns of Samaria don't know what's expected of them from the god of the land, and now he's sent lions and they're killing people right and left because nobody knows what the god of the land expects of them."

2Kgs.17.26

It was reported to the king of Assyria: "The people you deported and resettled in the towns of Samaria do not know what the god of that country requires. He has sent lions among them, which are killing them off, because the people do not know what he requires."

2Kgs.17.26

So they spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, "The nations whom you have removed and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the rituals of the God of the land; therefore He has sent lions among them, and indeed, they are killing them because they do not know the rituals of the God of the land."

2Kgs.17.26

So a message was sent to the king of Assyria: "The people whom you have resettled in the towns of Israel do not know how to worship the God of the land. He has sent lions among them to destroy them because they have not worshiped him correctly."

2Kgs.17.27

The king of Assyria ordered, "Send back some priests who were taken into exile from there. They can go back and live there and instruct the people in what the god of the land expects of them."

2Kgs.17.27

Then the king of Assyria gave this order: "Have one of the priests you took captive from Samaria go back to live there and teach the people what the god of the land requires."

2Kgs.17.27

Then the king of Assyria commanded, saying, "Send there one of the priests whom you brought from there; let him go and dwell there, and let him teach them the rituals of the God of the land."

2Kgs.17.27

The king of Assyria then commanded, "Send one of the exiled priests from Samaria back to Israel. Let him teach the new residents the religious customs of the God of the land."

2Kgs.17.28

One of the priests who had been exiled from Samaria came back and moved into Bethel. He taught them how to honor and worship GOD.

2Kgs.17.28

So one of the priests who had been exiled from Samaria came to live in Bethel and taught them how to worship the LORD.

2Kgs.17.28

Then one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and dwelt in Bethel, and taught them how they should fear the LORD.

2Kgs.17.28

So one of the priests who had been exiled from Samaria returned to Bethel and taught the new residents how to worship the LORD.

2Kgs.17.29

But each people that Assyria had settled went ahead anyway making its own gods and setting them up in the neighborhood sex-and-religion shrines that the citizens of Samaria had left behind--a local custom-made god for each people:

2Kgs.17.29

Nevertheless, each national group made its own gods in the several towns where they settled, and set them up in the shrines the people of Samaria had made at the high places.

2Kgs.17.29

However every nation continued to make gods of its own, and put them in the shrines on the high places which the Samaritans had made, every nation in the cities where they dwelt.

2Kgs.17.29

But these various groups of foreigners also continued to worship their own gods. In town after town where they lived, they placed their idols at the pagan shrines that the people of Israel had built.

2Kgs.17.30

for Babylon, Succoth Benoth; for Cuthah, Nergal; for Hamath, Ashima;

2Kgs.17.30

The men from Babylon made Succoth Benoth, the men from Cuthah made Nergal, and the men from Hamath made Ashima;

2Kgs.17.30

The men of Babylon made Succoth Benoth, the men of Cuth made Nergal, the men of Hamath made Ashima,

2Kgs.17.30

Those from Babylon worshiped idols of their god Succoth-benoth. Those from Cuthah worshiped their god Nergal. And those from Hamath worshiped Ashima.

2Kgs.17.31

for Avva, Nibhaz and Tartak; for Sepharvaim, Adrammelech and Anammelech (people burned their children in sacrificial offerings to these gods!).

2Kgs.17.31

the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burned their children in the fire as sacrifices to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim.

2Kgs.17.31

and the Avites made Nibhaz and Tartak; and the Sepharvites burned their children in fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim.

2Kgs.17.31

The Avvites worshiped their gods Nibhaz and Tartak. And the people from Sepharvaim even burned their own children as sacrifices to Adrammelech and Anammelech.

2Kgs.17.32

They honored and worshiped GOD, but not exclusively--they also appointed all sorts of priests, regardless of qualification, to conduct a variety of rites at the local fertility shrines.

2Kgs.17.32

They worshiped the LORD, but they also appointed all sorts of their own people to officiate for them as priests in the shrines at the high places.

2Kgs.17.32

So they feared the LORD, and from every class they appointed for themselves priests of the high places, who sacrificed for them in the shrines of the high places.

2Kgs.17.32

These new residents worshiped the LORD, but they appointed from among themselves priests to offer sacrifices at the pagan shrines.

2Kgs.17.33

They honored and worshiped GOD, but they also kept up their devotions to the old gods of the places they had come from.

2Kgs.17.33

They worshiped the LORD, but they also served their own gods in accordance with the customs of the nations from which they had been brought.

2Kgs.17.33

They feared the LORD, yet served their own gods--according to the rituals of the nations from among whom they were carried away.

2Kgs.17.33

And though they worshiped the LORD, they continued to follow the religious customs of the nations from which they came.

2Kgs.17.34

And they're still doing it, still worshiping any old god that has nostalgic appeal to them. They don't really worship GOD-they don't take seriously what he says regarding how to behave and what to believe, what he revealed to the children of Jacob whom he named Israel.

2Kgs.17.34

To this day they persist in their former practices. They neither worship the LORD nor adhere to the decrees and ordinances, the laws and commands that the LORD gave the descendants of Jacob, whom he named Israel.

2Kgs.17.34

To this day they continue practicing the former rituals; they do not fear the LORD, nor do they follow their statutes or their ordinances, or the law and commandment which the LORD had commanded the children of Jacob, whom He named Israel,

2Kgs.17.34

And this is still going on among them today. They follow their former practices instead of truly worshiping the LORD and obeying the laws, regulations, instructions, and commands he gave the descendants of Jacob, whose name he changed to Israel.

2Kgs.17.35

GOD made a covenant with his people and ordered them, "Don't honor other gods: Don't worship them, don't serve them, don't offer sacrifices to them.

2Kgs.17.35

When the LORD made a covenant with the Israelites, he commanded them: "Do not worship any other gods or bow down to them, serve them or sacrifice to them.

2Kgs.17.35

with whom the LORD had made a covenant and charged them, saying: "You shall not fear other gods, nor bow down to them nor serve them nor sacrifice to them;

2Kgs.17.35

For the LORD had made a covenant with the descendants of Jacob and commanded them: "Do not worship any other gods or bow before them or serve them or offer sacrifices to them.

2Kgs.17.36

Worship GOD, the God who delivered you from Egypt in great and personal power. Reverence and fear him. Worship him. Sacrifice to him. And only him!

2Kgs.17.36

But the LORD, who brought you up out of Egypt with mighty power and outstretched arm, is the one you must worship. To him you shall bow down and to him offer sacrifices.

2Kgs.17.36

but the LORD, who brought you up from the land of Egypt with great power and an outstretched arm, Him you shall fear, Him you shall worship, and to Him you shall offer sacrifice.

2Kgs.17.36

Worship only the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt with such mighty miracles and power. You must worship him and bow before him; offer sacrifices to him alone.

2Kgs.17.37

All the things he had written down for you, directing you in what to believe and how to behave--well, do them for as long as you live. And whatever you do, don't worship other gods!

2Kgs.17.37

You must always be careful to keep the decrees and ordinances, the laws and commands he wrote for you. Do not worship other gods.

2Kgs.17.37

And the statutes, the ordinances, the law, and the commandment which He wrote for you, you shall be careful to observe forever; you shall not fear other gods.

2Kgs.17.37

Be careful to obey all the laws, regulations, instructions, and commands that he wrote for you. You must not worship any other gods.

2Kgs.17.38

And the covenant he made with you, don't forget your part in that. And don't worship other gods!

2Kgs.17.38

Do not forget the covenant I have made with you, and do not worship other gods.

2Kgs.17.38

And the covenant that I have made with you, you shall not forget, nor shall you fear other gods.

2Kgs.17.38

Do not forget the covenant I made with you, and do not worship other gods.

2Kgs.17.39

Worship GOD, and GOD only--he's the one who will save your from enemy oppression."

2Kgs.17.39

Rather, worship the LORD your God; it is he who will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies."

2Kgs.17.39

But the LORD your God you shall fear; and He will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies."

2Kgs.17.39

You must worship only the LORD your God. He is the one who will rescue you from all your enemies."

2Kgs.17.40

But they didn't pay any attention. They kept doing what they'd always done.

2Kgs.17.40

They would not listen, however, but persisted in their former practices.

2Kgs.17.40

However they did not obey, but they followed their former rituals.

2Kgs.17.40

But the people would not listen and continued to follow their old ways.

2Kgs.17.41

As it turned out, all the time these people were putting on a front of worshiping GOD, they were at the same time involved with their local idols. And they're still doing it. Like father, like son.

2Kgs.17.41

Even while these people were worshiping the LORD, they were serving their idols. To this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their fathers did.

2Kgs.17.41

So these nations feared the LORD, yet served their carved images; also their children and their children's children have continued doing as their fathers did, even to this day.

2Kgs.17.41

So while these new residents worshiped the LORD, they also worshiped their idols. And to this day their descendants do the same.