¹³ Still, the Lord warned^(A) Israel and Judah through every prophet and every seer, saying, “Turn from your evil ways and keep My commands and statutes according to all the law I commanded your ancestors and sent to you through My servants the prophets.”^(B)

¹⁴ But they would not listen. Instead they became obstinate like^[a] their ancestors who did not believe the Lord their God.^{(C) 15} They rejected His statutes and His covenant He had made with their ancestors^(D) and the decrees He had given them. They pursued worthless idols and became worthless themselves,^(E) following the surrounding nations the Lord had commanded them not to imitate.^(F)

¹⁶ They abandoned all the commands of the Lord their God. They made cast images^(G) for themselves, two calves, and an Asherah pole.^(H) They worshiped the whole heavenly host^(I) and served Baal.^{(J) 17} They made their sons and daughters pass through the fire^(K) and practiced divination and interpreted omens.^(L) They devoted themselves to do what was evil in the Lord’s sight and provoked Him.^(M)

¹⁸ Therefore, the Lord was very angry with Israel, and He removed them from His presence.^(N) Only the tribe of Judah remained.^(O)

¹⁰ Concerning this salvation, the prophets^(A) who prophesied about the grace that would come to you searched and carefully investigated. ¹¹ They inquired into what time or what circumstances^[a] the Spirit of Christ^(B) within them was indicating when He testified in advance^(C) to the messianic sufferings^[b](D) and the glories^(E) that would follow.^{[c] 12} It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you. These things have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you^(F) by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven.^(G) Angels desire to look into these things.