32. But they also worshiped the Lord. They chose priests for the high places from among the people. These priests made sacrifices for the people in the temples at those places of worship.
33. They respected the Lord but also served their own gods, just as they did in their own countries.
34. Even today, they live the same way they did in the past. They don’t honor the Lord. They don’t obey the rules and commands of the Israelites. They don’t obey the law or the commands that the Lord gave to the children of Jacob.
35. The Lord made an agreement with the Israelites. He commanded them, “You must not honor other gods. You must not worship them or serve them or offer sacrifices to them.
36. But you must follow the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt. He used his great power to save you. You must worship him and make sacrifices to him.
37. You must obey the rules, laws, teachings, and commands that he wrote for you. You must obey these things all the time. You must not respect other gods.
38. You must not forget the agreement that I made with you. You must not respect other gods.
39. No, you must respect only the Lord your God. Then he will save you from all your enemies.”
40. But the Israelites did not listen. They kept on doing the same things they did before.
41. So now those other nations respected the Lord, but they also served their own idols. Their children and grandchildren did the same thing their ancestors did. They still do these things to this day.