You know that when you were pagans you were often led astray by speechless idols, however you were led.

No, I mean that what the pagans sacrifice ¹  is to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be partners with demons.

For they have gone forth ¹  on behalf of “The Name,” ²  accepting nothing from the pagans. ³ 

It is actually reported that sexual immorality exists among you, the kind of immorality that is not permitted even among the Gentiles, so that someone is cohabiting with ¹  his father’s wife.

And if you only greet your brothers, what more do you do? Even the Gentiles do the same, don’t they?

For the unconverted ¹  pursue these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

They mixed in with the nations and learned their ways. ¹ 

Ephraim has mixed itself like flour ¹  among the nations; Ephraim is like a ruined cake of bread that is scorched on one side. ² 

not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God.

Israel will be swallowed up among the nations; they will be like a worthless piece of pottery.

Lend your aid ¹  and come, all you surrounding nations, and gather yourselves ²  to that place.” Bring down, O Lord, your warriors! ³ 

Am I saying that idols or food sacrificed to them amount to anything?

Pour out your anger on the nations that do not acknowledge you, ¹  on the kingdoms that do not pray to you! ² 

When ¹  you pray, do not babble repetitiously like the Gentiles, because they think that by their many words they will be heard.

Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “Come on, let’s go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will intervene ¹  for us. Nothing can prevent the Lord from delivering, whether by many or by a few.”

Don’t report it in Gath, don’t spread the news in the streets of Ashkelon, ¹  or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice, the daughters of the uncircumcised will celebrate!

He followed in the footsteps of ¹  the kings of Israel. He passed his son through the fire, ²  a horrible sin practiced by the nations ³  whom the Lord drove out from before the Israelites.

He offered sacrifices in the Valley of Ben-Hinnom and passed his sons through the fire, ¹  a horrible sin practiced by the nations ²  whom the Lord drove out before the Israelites.

All the leaders of the priests and people became more unfaithful and committed the same horrible sins practiced by the nations. ¹  They defiled the Lord’s temple which he had consecrated in Jerusalem.

You, O Lord God, the invincible warrior, ¹  the God of Israel, rouse yourself and punish ²  all the nations! Have no mercy on any treacherous evildoers! (Selah)