2. the Lord will force them out of the land. Then you must destroy them without mercy. Don't make any peace treaties with them,
3. and don't let your sons and daughters marry any of them.
4. If you do, those people will lead your descendants to worship other gods and to turn their backs on the Lord. That will make him very angry, and he will quickly destroy Israel.
5. So when you conquer these nations, tear down the altars where they worship their gods. Break up their sacred stones, cut down the poles that they use in worshipping the goddess Asherah, and throw their idols in the fire.
6. Israel, you are the chosen people of the Lord your God. There are many nations on this earth, but he chose only Israel to be his very own.