And behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the Lord to Bethel, and Jeroboam stood at the altar to sacrifice.

and he spoke to the man of God that came out of Judah, saying, Thus says the Lord: Because you have resisted the word of the Lord, and have not kept the commandment which the Lord your God has commanded you,

but have returned, and eaten bread and drunk water in the place of which He spoke to you, saying, You shall not eat bread, and shall not drink water; [therefore] your body shall by no means enter into the tomb of your fathers.

And Samuel said, Does the Lord take [as great] pleasure in whole burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in hearing the words of the Lord? Behold, obedience is better than a good sacrifice, and hearkening than the fat of rams.

neither shall I transgress; but I have hid His words in my bosom.

If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

"Just as the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.

If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and I abide in His love.

You are My friends if you do what I command you.

And he spoke to the congregation, saying, Separate yourselves from the tents of these stubborn men, and touch nothing that belongs to them, lest you be consumed with them in all their sin.

Evil men have gone out from you, and have caused all the inhabitants of their land to fall away, saying, Let us go and worship other gods, whom you knew not,

you shall utterly destroy all the inhabitants of that land with the edge of the sword; you shall solemnly curse it, and all things in it.

And none of the cursed things shall cleave to your hand, that the Lord may turn from His fierce anger, and show you mercy, and pity you, and multiply you, as He swore to your fathers;

Incline not my heart to evil things, to employ pretexts for sins, with men who work iniquity: and let me not unite with their choice ones.

Now I urge you, brothers, to look out for those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and turn away from them.

But now I write to you not to associate with anyone named a brother, who is a fornicator, or covetous person, or an idolater, or abusive person, or a drunkard, or a swindler--not even to eat with such a person.

And have no partnership with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose [them].

If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house, and do not greet him;

for he who greets him shares in his evil works.

And I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people, lest you participate in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.