Throughout his life he did what pleased the LORD, because Jehoiada the priest instructed him.

and by the time he was old they had led him into the worship of foreign gods. He was not faithful to the LORD his God, as his father David had been.

He committed the same sins as his father and was not completely loyal to the LORD his God, as his great-grandfather David had been.

He did what was pleasing to the LORD, but did it reluctantly.

As soon as he was firmly in power, he executed the officials who had murdered his father.

He did what was pleasing to the LORD as long as Jehoiada the priest was alive.

But once Jehoiada was dead, the leaders of Judah persuaded King Joash to listen to them instead.

When Amaziah returned from defeating the Edomites, he brought their idols back with him, set them up, worshiped them, and burned incense to them.

"Since when," Amaziah interrupted, "have we made you adviser to the king? Stop talking, or I'll have you killed!" The prophet stopped, but not before saying, "Now I know that God has decided to destroy you because you have done all this and have ignored my advice."

LORD, you are the one who protects me and gives me strength; you help me in times of trouble. Nations will come to you from the ends of the earth and say, "Our ancestors had nothing but false gods, nothing but useless idols.

Do not be like your ancestors. Long ago the prophets gave them my message, telling them not to live evil, sinful lives any longer. But they would not listen to me or obey me.

Through my servants the prophets I gave your ancestors commands and warnings, but they disregarded them and suffered the consequences. Then they repented and acknowledged that I, the LORD Almighty, had punished them as they deserved and as I had determined to do.' "

For you know what was paid to set you free from the worthless manner of life handed down by your ancestors. It was not something that can be destroyed, such as silver or gold;