22 And during his time of distress, King Aʹhaz acted even more unfaithfully toward Jehovah. 23 He began to sacrifice to the gods of Damascus+ that had defeated him,+ and he went on to say: “Because the gods of the kings of Syria are helping them, I will sacrifice to them so that they may help me.”+ But they caused him and all Israel to stumble.

25 And in all the cities of Judah, he made high places for making sacrificial smoke to other gods,+ and he offended Jehovah the God of his forefathers.