34-39 They didn’t wipe out those godless cultures
    as ordered by God;
Instead they intermarried with the heathen,
    and in time became just like them.
They worshiped their idols,
    were caught in the trap of idols.
They sacrificed their sons and daughters
    at the altars of demon gods.
They slit the throats of their babies,
    murdered their infant girls and boys.
They offered their babies to Canaan’s gods;
    the blood of their babies stained the land.
Their way of life reeked;
    they lived like prostitutes.

40-43 And God was furious—a wildfire anger;
    he couldn’t stand even to look at his people.
He turned them over to the heathen
    so that the people who hated them ruled them.
Their enemies made life hard for them;
    they were tyrannized under that rule.
Over and over God rescued them, but they never learned—
    until finally their sins destroyed them.

Read full chapter

Bible Gateway Recommends

The Message The Book of Psalms - eBook
The Message The Book of Psalms - eBook
Retail: $8.99
Our Price: $7.19
Save: $1.80 (20%)
The Message Women's Devotional Bible - eBook
The Message Women's Devotional Bible - eBook
Retail: $29.99
Our Price: $16.49
Save: $13.50 (45%)
The Daily Message: Through the Bible in One Year - eBook
The Daily Message: Through the Bible in One Year - eBook
Retail: $18.99
Our Price: $9.99
Save: $9.00 (47%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
Message Slimline Bible, Charcoal Diamond Leather-look
Message Slimline Bible, Charcoal Diamond Leather-look
Retail: $39.99
Our Price: $9.48
Save: $30.51 (76%)
3.5 of 5.0 stars
The Message Harvest, Wheat
The Message Harvest, Wheat
Retail: $49.99
Our Price: $44.99
Save: $5.00 (10%)
The Message Large-Print Deluxe Gift Bible--soft leather-look, navy
The Message Large-Print Deluxe Gift Bible--soft leather-look, navy
Retail: $29.99
Our Price: $16.07
Save: $13.92 (46%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars