² ‘Say to the Israelites: Any Israelite or foreigner residing in Israel who gives any of his children to Molech^(A) must be put to death; the people of the country are to stone him.^{(B) 3} I will turn^[a] against that man and cut him off from his people, because he gave his offspring to Molech, defiling my sanctuary^(C) and profaning my holy name.^{(D) 4} But if the people of the country look the other way when that man^[b] gives any of his children to Molech, and do not put him to death, ⁵ then I will turn against that man and his family, and cut off from their people both him and all who follow^[c] him in prostituting^(E) themselves with Molech.

¹⁰ No one among you is to sacrifice his son or daughter in the fire,^[a](A) practise divination, tell fortunes, interpret omens, practise sorcery,

⁷ At that time, Solomon built a high place^(A) for Chemosh,^(B) the abhorrent idol of Moab, and for Milcom,^[a](C) the abhorrent idol of the Ammonites, on the hill opposite Jerusalem.^(D)

¹⁰ He defiled Topheth,^(A) which is in Ben Hinnom Valley,^(B) so that no one could sacrifice his son or daughter in the fire^[a](C) to Molech.^(D)

³⁵ They have built the high places of Baal in Ben Hinnom Valley to sacrifice their sons and daughters in the fire^[a] to Molech^(A) – something I had not commanded them. I had never entertained the thought^[b] that they do this detestable act, causing Judah to sin!