² He followed the ways of the kings of Israel and also made idols^(A) for worshiping the Baals. ³ He burned sacrifices in the Valley of Ben Hinnom^(B) and sacrificed his children^(C) in the fire, engaging in the detestable^(D) practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites. ⁴ He offered sacrifices and burned incense at the high places, on the hilltops and under every spreading tree.

²³ He offered sacrifices to the gods^(A) of Damascus, who had defeated him; for he thought, “Since the gods of the kings of Aram have helped them, I will sacrifice to them so they will help me.”^(B) But they were his downfall and the downfall of all Israel.^(C)

²⁴ Ahaz gathered together the furnishings^(D) from the temple of God^(E) and cut them in pieces. He shut the doors^(F) of the Lord’s temple and set up altars^(G) at every street corner in Jerusalem. ²⁵ In every town in Judah he built high places to burn sacrifices to other gods and aroused the anger of the Lord, the God of his ancestors.