1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hephzibah.
2 He did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord dispossessed before the children of Israel.
3 He went back and rebuilt the high places that Hezekiah his father had destroyed. He erected altars for Baal, made an Asherah pole as Ahab king of Israel had done, and worshipped all the host of heaven and served them.
4 He built altars in the house of the Lord, of which the Lord had said, “In Jerusalem I will put My name.”
5 He built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord.
6 He made his son pass through the fire, was conjuring and seeking omens, and dealt with mediums and soothsayers. He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking Him to anger.