The World English Bible (WEB)

Chapter 43

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23:3 All the a.s.sembly made a covenant with the king in the house of G.o.d.

He said to them, Behold, the king"s son shall reign, as Yahweh has spoken concerning the sons of David. 23:4 This is the thing that you shall do: a third part of you, who come in on the Sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, shall be porters of the thresholds; 23:5 and a third part shall be at the king"s house; and a third part at the gate of the foundation: and all the people shall be in the courts of the house of Yahweh. 23:6 But let none come into the house of Yahweh, save the priests, and those who minister of the Levites; they shall come in, for they are holy: but all the people shall keep the instruction of Yahweh. 23:7 The Levites shall surround the king, every man with his weapons in his hand; and whoever comes into the house, let him be slain: and be you with the king when he comes in, and when he goes out. 23:8 So the Levites and all Judah did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded: and they took every man his men, those who were to come in on the Sabbath; with those who were to go out on the Sabbath; for Jehoiada the priest didn"t dismiss the shift. 23:9 Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds the spears, and bucklers, and shields, that had been king David"s, which were in the house of G.o.d. 23:10 He set all the people, every man with his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the house to the left side of the house, along by the altar and the house, around the king. 23:11 Then they brought out the king"s son, and put the crown on him, and gave him the testimony, and made him king: and Jehoiada and his sons anointed him; and they said, Long live the king.

23:12 When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of Yahweh: 23:13 and she looked, and, behold, the king stood by his pillar at the entrance, and the captains and the trumpets by the king; and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew trumpets; the singers also played on instruments of music, and led the singing of praise. Then Athaliah tore her clothes, and said, Treason! treason! 23:14 Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds who were set over the army, and said to them, Have her forth between the ranks; and whoever follows her, let him be slain with the sword: for the priest said, Don"t kill her in the house of Yahweh. 23:15 So they made way for her; and she went to the entrance of the horse gate to the king"s house: and they killed her there. 23:16 Jehoiada made a covenant between himself, and all the people, and the king, that they should be Yahweh"s people. 23:17 All the people went to the house of Baal, and broke it down, and broke his altars and his images in pieces, and killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. 23:18 Jehoiada appointed the officers of the house of Yahweh under the hand of the priests the Levites, whom David had distributed in the house of Yahweh, to offer the burnt offerings of Yahweh, as it is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, according to the order of David. 23:19 He set the porters at the gates of the house of Yahweh, that no one who was unclean in anything should enter in. 23:20 He took the captains of hundreds, and the n.o.bles, and the governors of the people, and all the people of the land, and brought down the king from the house of Yahweh: and they came through the upper gate to the king"s house, and set the king on the throne of the kingdom.

23:21 So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet.

Athaliah they had slain with the sword.

24:1 Joash was seven years old when he began to reign; and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem: and his mother"s name was Zibiah, of Beersheba. 24:2 Joash did that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh all the days of Jehoiada the priest. 24:3 Jehoiada took for him two wives; and he became the father of sons and daughters. 24:4 It happened after this, that Joash was minded to restore the house of Yahweh. 24:5 He gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, Go out to the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your G.o.d from year to year; and see that you hasten the matter.

However the Levites didn"t hurry. 24:6 The king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said to him, Why haven"t you required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem the tax of Moses the servant of Yahweh, and of the a.s.sembly of Israel, for the tent of the testimony?

24:7 For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of G.o.d; and also all the dedicated things of the house of Yahweh did they bestow on the Baals. 24:8 So the king commanded, and they made a chest, and set it outside at the gate of the house of Yahweh. 24:9 They made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, to bring in for Yahweh the tax that Moses the servant of G.o.d laid on Israel in the wilderness. 24:10 All the princes and all the people rejoiced, and brought in, and cast into the chest, until they had made an end. 24:11 It was so, that whenever the chest was brought to the king"s officers by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money, the king"s scribe and the chief priest"s officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to its place again. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance. 24:12 The king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of Yahweh; and they hired masons and carpenters to restore the house of Yahweh, and also such as worked iron and bra.s.s to repair the house of Yahweh. 24:13 So the workmen worked, and the work of repairing went forward in their hands, and they set up the house of G.o.d in its state, and strengthened it. 24:14 When they had made an end, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, of which were made vessels for the house of Yahweh, even vessels with which to minister and to offer, and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. They offered burnt offerings in the house of Yahweh continually all the days of Jehoiada. 24:15 But Jehoiada grew old and was full of days, and he died; one hundred thirty years old was he when he died. 24:16 They buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, and toward G.o.d and his house. 24:17 Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king listened to them. 24:18 They forsook the house of Yahweh, the G.o.d of their fathers, and served the Asherim and the idols: and wrath came on Judah and Jerusalem for this their guiltiness. 24:19 Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again to Yahweh; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear. 24:20 The Spirit of G.o.d came on Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest; and he stood above the people, and said to them, Thus says G.o.d, Why disobey you the commandments of Yahweh, so that you can"t prosper? because you have forsaken Yahweh, he has also forsaken you.

24:21 They conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of Yahweh. 24:22 Thus Joash the king didn"t remember the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but killed his son. When he died, he said, Yahweh look on it, and require it. 24:23 It happened at the end of the year, that the army of the Syrians came up against him: and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all the spoil of them to the king of Damascus. 24:24 For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men; and Yahweh delivered a very great army into their hand, because they had forsaken Yahweh, the G.o.d of their fathers. So they executed judgment on Joash.

24:25 When they were departed for him (for they left him very sick), his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and killed him on his bed, and he died; and they buried him in the city of David, but they didn"t bury him in the tombs of the kings. 24:26 These are those who conspired against him: Zabad the son of Shimeath the Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith the Moabitess. 24:27 Now concerning his sons, and the greatness of the burdens laid on him, and the rebuilding of the house of G.o.d, behold, they are written in the commentary of the book of the kings. Amaziah his son reigned in his place.

25:1 Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem: and his mother"s name was Jehoaddan, of Jerusalem. 25:2 He did that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh, but not with a perfect heart. 25:3 Now it happened, when the kingdom was established to him, that he killed his servants who had killed the king his father. 25:4 But he didn"t put their children to death, but did according to that which is written in the law in the book of Moses, as Yahweh commanded, saying, The fathers shall not die for the children, neither shall the children die for the fathers; but every man shall die for his own sin. 25:5 Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together, and ordered them according to their fathers" houses, under captains of thousands and captains of hundreds, even all Judah and Benjamin: and he numbered them from twenty years old and upward, and found them three hundred thousand chosen men, able to go forth to war, who could handle spear and shield. 25:6 He hired also one hundred thousand mighty men of valor out of Israel for one hundred talents of silver. 25:7 But there came a man of G.o.d to him, saying, O king, don"t let the army of Israel go with you; for Yahweh is not with Israel, to wit, with all the children of Ephraim. 25:8 But if you will go, do valiantly, be strong for the battle: G.o.d will cast you down before the enemy; for G.o.d has power to help, and to cast down. 25:9 Amaziah said to the man of G.o.d, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? The man of G.o.d answered, Yahweh is able to give you much more than this. 25:10 Then Amaziah separated them, to wit, the army that had come to him out of Ephraim, to go home again: therefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in fierce anger. 25:11 Amaziah took courage, and led forth his people, and went to the Valley of Salt, and struck of the children of Seir ten thousand. 25:12 other ten thousand did the children of Judah carry away alive, and brought them to the top of the rock, and cast them down from the top of the rock, so that they all were broken in pieces.

25:13 But the men of the army whom Amaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battle, fell on the cities of Judah, from Samaria even to Beth Horon, and struck of them three thousand, and took much spoil. 25:14 Now it happened, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the G.o.ds of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his G.o.ds, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense to them. 25:15 Therefore the anger of Yahweh was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent to him a prophet, who said to him, Why have you sought after the G.o.ds of the people, which have not delivered their own people out of your hand? 25:16 It happened, as he talked with him, that the king said to him, Have we made you of the king"s counsel? Stop! Why should you be struck down? Then the prophet stopped, and said, I know that G.o.d has determined to destroy you, because you have done this, and have not listened to my counsel. 25:17 Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us look one another in the face. 25:18 Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give your daughter to my son as wife: and there pa.s.sed by a wild animal that was in Lebanon, and trod down the thistle.

25:19 You say, Behold, you have struck Edom; and your heart lifts you up to boast: abide now at home; why should you meddle to your hurt, that you should fall, even you, and Judah with you? 25:20 But Amaziah would not hear; for it was of G.o.d, that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they had sought after the G.o.ds of Edom. 25:21 So Joash king of Israel went up; and he and Amaziah king of Judah looked one another in the face at Beth Shemesh, which belongs to Judah. 25:22 Judah was defeated by Israel; and they fled every man to his tent. 25:23 Joash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash the son of Jehoahaz, at Beth Shemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits. 25:24 He took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of G.o.d with Obed-Edom, and the treasures of the king"s house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria. 25:25 Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years. 25:26 Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, first and last, behold, aren"t they written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel? 25:27 Now from the time that Amaziah did turn away from following Yahweh they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem; and he fled to Lachish: but they sent after him to Lachish, and killed him there. 25:28 They brought him on horses, and buried him with his fathers in the city of Judah.

26:1 All the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah. 26:2 He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.

26:3 Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign; and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem: and his mother"s name was Jechiliah, of Jerusalem. 26:4 He did that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. 26:5 He set himself to seek G.o.d in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the vision of G.o.d: and as long as he sought Yahweh, G.o.d made him to prosper.

26:6 He went forth and warred against the Philistines, and broke down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod; and he built cities in the country of Ashdod, and among the Philistines. 26:7 G.o.d helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians who lived in Gur Baal, and the Meunim. 26:8 The Ammonites gave tribute to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entrance of Egypt; for he grew exceeding strong. 26:9 Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them. 26:10 He built towers in the wilderness, and dug out many cisterns, for he had much livestock; in the lowland also, and in the plain: and he had farmers and vineyard keepers in the mountains and in the fruitful fields; for he loved farming. 26:11 Moreover Uzziah had an army of fighting men, who went out to war by bands, according to the number of their reckoning made by Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the officer, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king"s captains. 26:12 The whole number of the heads of fathers" houses, even the mighty men of valor, was two thousand and six hundred. 26:13 Under their hand was an army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, who made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy. 26:14 Uzziah prepared for them, even for all the army, shields, and spears, and helmets, and coats of mail, and bows, and stones for slinging. 26:15 He made in Jerusalem engines, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and on the battlements, with which to shoot arrows and great stones. His name spread far abroad; for he was marvelously helped, until he was strong. 26:16 But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up, so that he did corruptly, and he trespa.s.sed against Yahweh his G.o.d; for he went into the temple of Yahweh to burn incense on the altar of incense.

26:17 Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him eighty priests of Yahweh, who were valiant men: 26:18 and they withstood Uzziah the king, and said to him, It pertains not to you, Uzziah, to burn incense to Yahweh, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for you have trespa.s.sed; neither shall it be for your honor from Yahweh G.o.d. 26:19 Then Uzziah was angry; and he had a censer in his hand to burn incense; and while he was angry with the priests, the leprosy broke forth in his forehead before the priests in the house of Yahweh, beside the altar of incense. 26:20 Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked on him, and behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out quickly from there; yes, himself hurried also to go out, because Yahweh had struck him. 26:21 Uzziah the king was a leper to the day of his death, and lived in a separate house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of Yahweh: and Jotham his son was over the king"s house, judging the people of the land. 26:22 Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, did Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, write.

26:23 So Uzziah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the field of burial which belonged to the kings; for they said, He is a leper: and Jotham his son reigned in his place.

27:1 Jotham was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: and his mother"s name was Jerushah the daughter of Zadok. 27:2 He did that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh, according to all that his father Uzziah had done: however he didn"t enter into the temple of Yahweh. The people did yet corruptly.

27:3 He built the upper gate of the house of Yahweh, and on the wall of Ophel he built much. 27:4 Moreover he built cities in the hill country of Judah, and in the forests he built castles and towers. 27:5 He fought also with the king of the children of Ammon, and prevailed against them.

The children of Ammon gave him the same year one hundred talents of silver, and ten thousand measures of wheat, and ten thousand of barley.

So much did the children of Ammon render to him, in the second year also, and in the third. 27:6 So Jotham became mighty, because he ordered his ways before Yahweh his G.o.d. 27:7 Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars, and his ways, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. 27:8 He was five and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. 27:9 Jotham slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Ahaz his son reigned in his place.

28:1 Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign; and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: and he didn"t do that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh, like David his father; 28:2 but he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for the Baals. 28:3 Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom Yahweh cast out before the children of Israel. 28:4 He sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree. 28:5 Therefore Yahweh his G.o.d delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and they struck him, and carried away of his a great mult.i.tude of captives, and brought them to Damascus. He was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who struck him with a great slaughter. 28:6 For Pekah the son of Remaliah killed in Judah one hundred twenty thousand in one day, all of them valiant men; because they had forsaken Yahweh, the G.o.d of their fathers. 28:7 Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, killed Maaseiah the king"s son, and Azrikam the ruler of the house, and Elkanah who was next to the king. 28:8 The children of Israel carried away captive of their brothers two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters, and took also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria. 28:9 But a prophet of Yahweh was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out to meet the army that came to Samaria, and said to them, Behold, because Yahweh, the G.o.d of your fathers, was angry with Judah, he has delivered them into your hand, and you have slain them in a rage which has reached up to heaven. 28:10 Now you purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondservants and bondmaids to you: but aren"t there even with you trespa.s.ses of your own against Yahweh your G.o.d? 28:11 Now hear me therefore, and send back the captives, that you have taken captive of your brothers; for the fierce wrath of Yahweh is on you. 28:12 Then certain of the heads of the children of Ephraim, Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, and Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai, stood up against those who came from the war, 28:13 and said to them, You shall not bring in the captives here: for you purpose that which will bring on us a trespa.s.s against Yahweh, to add to our sins and to our trespa.s.s; for our trespa.s.s is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel. 28:14 So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the princes and all the a.s.sembly. 28:15 The men who have been mentioned by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all who were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of them on donkeys, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their brothers: then they returned to Samaria. 28:16 At that time did king Ahaz send to the kings of a.s.syria to help him. 28:17 For again the Edomites had come and struck Judah, and carried away captives. 28:18 The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the lowland, and of the South of Judah, and had taken Beth Shemesh, and Aijalon, and Gederoth, and Soco with its towns, and Timnah with its towns, Gimzo also and its towns: and they lived there. 28:19 For Yahweh brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel; for he had dealt wantonly in Judah, and trespa.s.sed severely against Yahweh. 28:20 Tilgath Pilneser king of a.s.syria came to him, and distressed him, but didn"t strengthen him. 28:21 For Ahaz took away a portion out of the house of Yahweh, and out of the house of the king and of the princes, and gave it to the king of a.s.syria: but it didn"t help him. 28:22 In the time of his distress did he trespa.s.s yet more against Yahweh, this same king Ahaz. 28:23 For he sacrificed to the G.o.ds of Damascus, which struck him; and he said, Because the G.o.ds of the kings of Syria helped them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel. 28:24 Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of G.o.d, and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of G.o.d, and shut up the doors of the house of Yahweh; and he made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem. 28:25 In every city of Judah he made high places to burn incense to other G.o.ds, and provoked to anger Yahweh, the G.o.d of his fathers. 28:26 Now the rest of his acts, and all his ways, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. 28:27 Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, even in Jerusalem; for they didn"t bring him into the tombs of the kings of Israel: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his place.

29:1 Hezekiah began to reign when he was twenty-five years old; and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem: and his mother"s name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah. 29:2 He did that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh, according to all that David his father had done.

29:3 He in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors of the house of Yahweh, and repaired them. 29:4 He brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them together into the broad place on the east, 29:5 and said to them, Hear me, you Levites; now sanctify yourselves, and sanctify the house of Yahweh, the G.o.d of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place. 29:6 For our fathers have trespa.s.sed, and done that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh our G.o.d, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of Yahweh, and turned their backs. 29:7 Also they have shut up the doors of the porch, and put out the lamps, and have not burned incense nor offered burnt offerings in the holy place to the G.o.d of Israel. 29:8 Therefore the wrath of Yahweh was on Judah and Jerusalem, and he has delivered them to be tossed back and forth, to be an astonishment, and a hissing, as you see with your eyes. 29:9 For, behold, our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons and our daughters and our wives are in captivity for this. 29:10 Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with Yahweh, the G.o.d of Israel, that his fierce anger may turn away from us. 29:11 My sons, don"t be negligent now; for Yahweh has chosen you to stand before him, to minister to him, and that you should be his ministers, and burn incense. 29:12 Then the Levites arose, Mahath, the son of Amasai, and Joel the son of Azariah, of the sons of the Kohathites; and of the sons of Merari, Kish the son of Abdi, and Azariah the son of Jehallelel; and of the Gershonites, Joah the son of Zimmah, and Eden the son of Joah; 29:13 and of the sons of Elizaphan, Shimri and Jeuel; and of the sons of Asaph, Zechariah and Mattaniah; 29:14 and of the sons of Heman, Jehuel and Shimei; and of the sons of Jeduthun, Shemaiah and Uzziel. 29:15 They gathered their brothers, and sanctified themselves, and went in, according to the commandment of the king by the words of Yahweh, to cleanse the house of Yahweh. 29:16 The priests went in to the inner part of the house of Yahweh, to cleanse it, and brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of Yahweh into the court of the house of Yahweh. The Levites took it, to carry it out abroad to the brook Kidron. 29:17 Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify, and on the eighth day of the month came they to the porch of Yahweh; and they sanctified the house of Yahweh in eight days: and on the sixteenth day of the first month they made an end. 29:18 Then they went in to Hezekiah the king within the palace, and said, We have cleansed all the house of Yahweh, and the altar of burnt offering, with all its vessels, and the table of show bread, with all its vessels. 29:19 Moreover all the vessels, which king Ahaz in his reign did cast away when he trespa.s.sed, have we prepared and sanctified; and behold, they are before the altar of Yahweh. 29:20 Then Hezekiah the king arose early, and gathered the princes of the city, and went up to the house of Yahweh. 29:21 They brought seven bulls, and seven rams, and seven lambs, and seven male goats, for a sin offering for the kingdom and for the sanctuary and for Judah. He commanded the priests the sons of Aaron to offer them on the altar of Yahweh. 29:22 So they killed the bulls, and the priests received the blood, and sprinkled it on the altar: and they killed the rams, and sprinkled the blood on the altar: they killed also the lambs, and sprinkled the blood on the altar. 29:23 They brought near the male goats for the sin offering before the king and the a.s.sembly; and they laid their hands on them: 29:24 and the priests killed them, and they made a sin offering with their blood on the altar, to make atonement for all Israel; for the king commanded that the burnt offering and the sin offering should be made for all Israel. 29:25 He set the Levites in the house of Yahweh with cymbals, with stringed instruments, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king"s seer, and Nathan the prophet; for the commandment was of Yahweh by his prophets. 29:26 The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. 29:27 Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offering on the altar. When the burnt offering began, the song of Yahweh began also, and the trumpets, together with the instruments of David king of Israel.

29:28 All the a.s.sembly worshiped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded; all this continued until the burnt offering was finished. 29:29 When they had made an end of offering, the king and all who were present with him bowed themselves and worshiped. 29:30 Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praises to Yahweh with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer. They sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshiped. 29:31 Then Hezekiah answered, Now you have consecrated yourselves to Yahweh; come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of Yahweh. The a.s.sembly brought in sacrifices and thank offerings; and as many as were of a willing heart brought burnt offerings. 29:32 The number of the burnt offerings which the a.s.sembly brought was seventy bulls, one hundred rams, and two hundred lambs: all these were for a burnt offering to Yahweh. 29:33 The consecrated things were six hundred head of cattle and three thousand sheep. 29:34 But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings: therefore their brothers the Levites helped them, until the work was ended, and until the priests had sanctified themselves; for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests. 29:35 Also the burnt offerings were in abundance, with the fat of the peace offerings, and with the drink offerings for every burnt offering. So the service of the house of Yahweh was set in order. 29:36 Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, because of that which G.o.d had prepared for the people: for the thing was done suddenly.

30:1 Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Mana.s.seh, that they should come to the house of Yahweh at Jerusalem, to keep the Pa.s.sover to Yahweh, the G.o.d of Israel. 30:2 For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the a.s.sembly in Jerusalem, to keep the Pa.s.sover in the second month. 30:3 For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves in sufficient number, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem. 30:4 The thing was right in the eyes of the king and of all the a.s.sembly. 30:5 So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the Pa.s.sover to Yahweh, the G.o.d of Israel, at Jerusalem: for they had not kept it in great numbers in such sort as it is written. 30:6 So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, You children of Israel, turn again to Yahweh, the G.o.d of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that he may return to the remnant that have escaped of you out of the hand of the kings of a.s.syria. 30:7 Don"t be you like your fathers, and like your brothers, who trespa.s.sed against Yahweh, the G.o.d of their fathers, so that he gave them up to desolation, as you see. 30:8 Now don"t you be stiff-necked, as your fathers were; but yield yourselves to Yahweh, and enter into his sanctuary, which he has sanctified forever, and serve Yahweh your G.o.d, that his fierce anger may turn away from you. 30:9 For if you turn again to Yahweh, your brothers and your children shall find compa.s.sion before those who led them captive, and shall come again into this land: for Yahweh your G.o.d is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him. 30:10 So the posts pa.s.sed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Mana.s.seh, even to Zebulun: but they ridiculed them, and mocked them. 30:11 Nevertheless certain men of Asher and Mana.s.seh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem. 30:12 Also on Judah came the hand of G.o.d to give them one heart, to do the commandment of the king and of the princes by the word of Yahweh. 30:13 There a.s.sembled at Jerusalem much people to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great a.s.sembly.

30:14 They arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all the altars for incense took they away, and cast them into the brook Kidron. 30:15 Then they killed the Pa.s.sover on the fourteenth day of the second month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought burnt offerings into the house of Yahweh. 30:16 They stood in their place after their order, according to the law of Moses the man of G.o.d: the priests sprinkled the blood which they received of the hand of the Levites. 30:17 For there were many in the a.s.sembly who had not sanctified themselves: therefore the Levites were in charge of killing the Pa.s.sovers for everyone who was not clean, to sanctify them to Yahweh. 30:18 For a mult.i.tude of the people, even many of Ephraim and Mana.s.seh, Issachar and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the Pa.s.sover otherwise than it is written.

For Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, The good Yahweh pardon everyone 30:19 who sets his heart to seek G.o.d, Yahweh, the G.o.d of his fathers, though not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary. 30:20 Yahweh listened to Hezekiah, and healed the people.

30:21 The children of Israel who were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness; and the Levites and the priests praised Yahweh day by day, singing with loud instruments to Yahweh. 30:22 Hezekiah spoke comfortably to all the Levites who had good understanding in the service of Yahweh. So they ate throughout the feast for the seven days, offering sacrifices of peace offerings, and making confession to Yahweh, the G.o.d of their fathers.

30:23 The whole a.s.sembly took counsel to keep other seven days; and they kept other seven days with gladness. 30:24 For Hezekiah king of Judah did give to the a.s.sembly for offerings one thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the a.s.sembly a thousand bulls and ten thousand sheep: and a great number of priests sanctified themselves. 30:25 All the a.s.sembly of Judah, with the priests and the Levites, and all the a.s.sembly who came out of Israel, and the foreigners who came out of the land of Israel, and who lived in Judah, rejoiced.

30:26 So there was great joy in Jerusalem; for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem.

30:27 Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy habitation, even to heaven.

31:1 Now when all this was finished, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah, and broke in pieces the pillars, and cut down the Asherim, and broke down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Mana.s.seh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities. 31:2 Hezekiah appointed the divisions of the priests and the Levites after their divisions, every man according to his service, both the priests and the Levites, for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the camp of Yahweh. 31:3 He appointed also the king"s portion of his substance for the burnt offerings, to wit, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the Sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written in the law of Yahweh. 31:4 Moreover he commanded the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might give themselves to the law of Yahweh. 31:5 As soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel gave in abundance the first fruits of grain, new wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the t.i.the of all things brought they in abundantly. 31:6 The children of Israel and Judah, who lived in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the t.i.the of cattle and sheep, and the t.i.the of dedicated things which were consecrated to Yahweh their G.o.d, and laid them by heaps. 31:7 In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month. 31:8 When Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed Yahweh, and his people Israel. 31:9 Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps.

31:10 Azariah the chief priest, of the house of Zadok, answered him and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of Yahweh, we have eaten and had enough, and have left plenty: for Yahweh has blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.

31:11 Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of Yahweh; and they prepared them. 31:12 They brought in the offerings and the t.i.thes and the dedicated things faithfully: and over them Conaniah the Levite was ruler, and Shimei his brother was second. 31:13 Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and Benaiah, were overseers under the hand of Conaniah and Shimei his brother, by the appointment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of G.o.d. 31:14 Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the porter at the east gate, was over the freewill offerings of G.o.d, to distribute the offerings of Yahweh, and the most holy things. 31:15 Under him were Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their office of trust, to give to their brothers by divisions, as well to the great as to the small: 31:16 besides those who were reckoned by genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even everyone who entered into the house of Yahweh, as the duty of every day required, for their service in their offices according to their divisions; 31:17 and those who were reckoned by genealogy of the priests by their fathers"

houses, and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their offices by their divisions; 31:18 and those who were reckoned by genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation: for in their office of trust they sanctified themselves in holiness. 31:19 Also for the sons of Aaron the priests, who were in the fields of the suburbs of their cities, in every city, there were men who were mentioned by name, to give portions to all the males among the priests, and to all who were reckoned by genealogy among the Levites. 31:20 Hezekiah did so throughout all Judah; and he worked that which was good and right and faithful before Yahweh his G.o.d. 31:21 In every work that he began in the service of the house of G.o.d, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his G.o.d, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.

32:1 After these things, and this faithfulness, Sennacherib king of a.s.syria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fortified cities, and thought to win them for himself. 32:2 When Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come, and that he was purposed to fight against Jerusalem, 32:3 he took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the springs which were outside of the city; and they helped him. 32:4 So there was gathered much people together, and they stopped all the springs, and the brook that flowed through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of a.s.syria come, and find much water? 32:5 He took courage, and built up all the wall that was broken down, and raised it up to the towers, and the other wall outside, and strengthened Millo in the city of David, and made weapons and shields in abundance. 32:6 He set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the broad place at the gate of the city, and spoke comfortably to them, saying, 32:7 Be strong and of good courage, don"t be afraid nor dismayed for the king of a.s.syria, nor for all the mult.i.tude who is with him; for there is a greater with us than with him: 32:8 with him is an arm of flesh; but with us is Yahweh our G.o.d to help us, and to fight our battles. The people rested themselves on the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. 32:9 After this did Sennacherib king of a.s.syria send his servants to Jerusalem, (now he was before Lachish, and all his power with him), to Hezekiah king of Judah, and to all Judah who were at Jerusalem, saying, 32:10 Thus says Sennacherib king of a.s.syria, Whereon do you trust, that you abide the siege in Jerusalem? 32:11 Does not Hezekiah persuade you, to give you over to die by famine and by thirst, saying, Yahweh our G.o.d will deliver us out of the hand of the king of a.s.syria? 32:12 Has not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, You shall worship before one altar, and on it you shall burn incense? 32:13 Don"t you know what I and my fathers have done to all the peoples of the lands? Were the G.o.ds of the nations of the lands in any wise able to deliver their land out of my hand? 32:14 Who was there among all the G.o.ds of those nations which my fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people out of my hand, that your G.o.d should be able to deliver you out of my hand? 32:15 Now therefore don"t let Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you after this manner, neither believe you him; for no G.o.d of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of my hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your G.o.d deliver you out of my hand? 32:16 His servants spoke yet more against Yahweh G.o.d, and against his servant Hezekiah. 32:17 He wrote also letters, to rail on Yahweh, the G.o.d of Israel, and to speak against him, saying, As the G.o.ds of the nations of the lands, which have not delivered their people out of my hand, so shall the G.o.d of Hezekiah not deliver his people out of my hand. 32:18 They cried with a loud voice in the Jews" language to the people of Jerusalem who were on the wall, to frighten them, and to trouble them; that they might take the city. 32:19 They spoke of the G.o.d of Jerusalem, as of the G.o.ds of the peoples of the earth, which are the work of men"s hands. 32:20 Hezekiah the king, and Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz, prayed because of this, and cried to heaven. 32:21 Yahweh sent an angel, who cut off all the mighty men of valor, and the leaders and captains, in the camp of the king of a.s.syria.

So he returned with shame of face to his own land. When he was come into the house of his G.o.d, those who came forth from his own bowels killed him there with the sword. 32:22 Thus Yahweh saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of a.s.syria, and from the hand of all others, and guided them on every side.

32:23 Many brought gifts to Yahweh to Jerusalem, and precious things to Hezekiah king of Judah; so that he was exalted in the sight of all nations from thenceforth. 32:24 In those days Hezekiah was sick even to death: and he prayed to Yahweh; and he spoke to him, and gave him a sign. 32:25 But Hezekiah didn"t render again according to the benefit done to him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath on him, and on Judah and Jerusalem. 32:26 Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of Yahweh didn"t come on them in the days of Hezekiah. 32:27 Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honor: and he provided him treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of goodly vessels; 32:28 storehouses also for the increase of grain and new wine and oil; and stalls for all manner of animals, and flocks in folds.

32:29 Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance; for G.o.d had given him very much substance. 32:30 This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper spring of the waters of Gihon, and brought them straight down on the west side of the city of David.

Hezekiah prospered in all his works. 32:31 However in the business of the amba.s.sadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent to him to inquire of the wonder that was done in the land, G.o.d left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart. 32:32 Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his good deeds, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz, in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. 32:33 Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the ascent of the tombs of the sons of David: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honor at his death. Mana.s.seh his son reigned in his place.

33:1 Mana.s.seh was twelve years old when he began to reign; and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. 33:2 He did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, after the abominations of the nations whom Yahweh cast out before the children of Israel. 33:3 For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down; and he reared up altars for the Baals, and made Asheroth, and worshiped all the army of the sky, and served them. 33:4 He built altars in the house of Yahweh, of which Yahweh said, In Jerusalem shall my name be forever.

33:5 He built altars for all the army of the sky in the two courts of the house of Yahweh. 33:6 He also made his children to pa.s.s through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom; and he practiced sorcery, and used enchantments, and practiced sorcery, and dealt with those who had familiar spirits, and with wizards: he worked much evil in the sight of Yahweh, to provoke him to anger. 33:7 He set the engraved image of the idol, which he had made, in the house of G.o.d, of which G.o.d said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name forever: 33:8 neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from off the land which I have appointed for your fathers, if only they will observe to do all that I have commanded them, even all the law and the statutes and the ordinances given by Moses. 33:9 Mana.s.seh seduced Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that they did evil more than did the nations whom Yahweh destroyed before the children of Israel. 33:10 Yahweh spoke to Mana.s.seh, and to his people; but they gave no heed.

33:11 Therefore Yahweh brought on them the captains of the army of the king of a.s.syria, who took Mana.s.seh in chains, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. 33:12 When he was in distress, he begged Yahweh his G.o.d, and humbled himself greatly before the G.o.d of his fathers. 33:13 He prayed to him; and he was entreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom.

Then Mana.s.seh knew that Yahweh he was G.o.d. 33:14 Now after this he built an outer wall to the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entrance at the fish gate; and he encircled Ophel with it, and raised it up to a very great height: and he put valiant captains in all the fortified cities of Judah. 33:15 He took away the foreign G.o.ds, and the idol out of the house of Yahweh, and all the altars that he had built in the mountain of the house of Yahweh, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city. 33:16 He built up the altar of Yahweh, and offered thereon sacrifices of peace offerings and of thanksgiving, and commanded Judah to serve Yahweh, the G.o.d of Israel.

33:17 Nevertheless the people sacrificed still in the high places, but only to Yahweh their G.o.d. 33:18 Now the rest of the acts of Mana.s.seh, and his prayer to his G.o.d, and the words of the seers who spoke to him in the name of Yahweh, the G.o.d of Israel, behold, they are written among the acts of the kings of Israel. 33:19 His prayer also, and how G.o.d was entreated of him, and all his sin and his trespa.s.s, and the places in which he built high places, and set up the Asherim and the engraved images, before he humbled himself: behold, they are written in the history of Hozai. 33:20 So Mana.s.seh slept with his fathers, and they buried him in his own house: and Amon his son reigned in his place.

33:21 Amon was twenty-two years old when he began to reign; and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. 33:22 He did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, as did Mana.s.seh his father; and Amon sacrificed to all the engraved images which Mana.s.seh his father had made, and served them.

33:23 He didn"t humble himself before Yahweh, as Mana.s.seh his father had humbled himself; but this same Amon trespa.s.sed more and more. 33:24 His servants conspired against him, and put him to death in his own house.

33:25 But the people of the land killed all those who had conspired against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his place.

34:1 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign; and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. 34:2 He did that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh, and walked in the ways of David his father, and didn"t turn aside to the right hand or to the left. 34:3 For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the G.o.d of David his father; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the Asherim, and the engraved images, and the molten images. 34:4 They broke down the altars of the Baals in his presence; and the incense altars that were on high above them he cut down; and the Asherim, and the engraved images, and the molten images, he broke in pieces, and made dust of them, and strewed it on the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. 34:5 He burnt the bones of the priests on their altars, and purged Judah and Jerusalem.

34:6 So did he in the cities of Mana.s.seh and Ephraim and Simeon, even to Naphtali, around in their ruins. 34:7 He broke down the altars, and beat the Asherim and the engraved images into powder, and cut down all the incense altars throughout all the land of Israel, and returned to Jerusalem. 34:8 Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of Yahweh his G.o.d. 34:9 They came to Hilkiah the high priest, and delivered the money that was brought into the house of G.o.d, which the Levites, the keepers of the threshold, had gathered of the hand of Mana.s.seh and Ephraim, and of all the remnant of Israel, and of all Judah and Benjamin, and of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 34:10 They delivered it into the hand of the workmen who had the oversight of the house of Yahweh; and the workmen who labored in the house of Yahweh gave it to mend and repair the house; 34:11 even to the carpenters and to the builders gave they it, to buy cut stone, and timber for couplings, and to make beams for the houses which the kings of Judah had destroyed. 34:12 The men did the work faithfully: and the overseers of them were Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to set it forward; and others of the Levites, all who were skillful with instruments of music. 34:13 Also they were over the bearers of burdens, and set forward all who did the work in every manner of service: and of the Levites there were scribes, and officers, and porters. 34:14 When they brought out the money that was brought into the house of Yahweh, Hilkiah the priest found the book of the law of Yahweh given by Moses.

34:15 Hilkiah answered Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of Yahweh. Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan. 34:16 Shaphan carried the book to the king, and moreover brought back word to the king, saying, All that was committed to your servants, they are doing. 34:17 They have emptied out the money that was found in the house of Yahweh, and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers, and into the hand of the workmen. 34:18 Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest has delivered me a book. Shaphan read therein before the king. 34:19 It happened, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he tore his clothes. 34:20 The king commanded Hilkiah, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Abdon the son of Micah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king"s servant, saying, 34:21 Go you, inquire of Yahweh for me, and for those who are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found; for great is the wrath of Yahweh that is poured out on us, because our fathers have not kept the word of Yahweh, to do according to all that is written in this book.

34:22 So Hilkiah, and they whom the king had commanded, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tokhath, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she lived in Jerusalem in the second quarter;) and they spoke to her to that effect. 34:23 She said to them, Thus says Yahweh, the G.o.d of Israel: Tell you the man who sent you to me, 34:24 Thus says Yahweh, Behold, I will bring evil on this place, and on its inhabitants, even all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah. 34:25 Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense to other G.o.ds, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore is my wrath poured out on this place, and it shall not be quenched. 34:26 But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of Yahweh, thus you shall tell him, Thus says Yahweh, the G.o.d of Israel: As touching the words which you have heard, 34:27 because your heart was tender, and you did humble yourself before G.o.d, when you heard his words against this place, and against its inhabitants, and have humbled yourself before me, and have torn your clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard you, says Yahweh. 34:28 Behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace, neither shall your eyes see all the evil that I will bring on this place, and on its inhabitants. They brought back word to the king. 34:29 Then the king sent and gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. 34:30 The king went up to the house of Yahweh, and all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people, both great and small: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of Yahweh. 34:31 The king stood in his place, and made a covenant before Yahweh, to walk after Yahweh, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant that were written in this book. 34:32 He caused all who were found in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it. The inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of G.o.d, the G.o.d of their fathers. 34:33 Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all who were found in Israel to serve, even to serve Yahweh their G.o.d. All his days they didn"t depart from following Yahweh, the G.o.d of their fathers.

35:1 Josiah kept a Pa.s.sover to Yahweh in Jerusalem: and they killed the Pa.s.sover on the fourteenth day of the first month. 35:2 He set the priests in their offices, and encouraged them to the service of the house of Yahweh. 35:3 He said to the Levites who taught all Israel, who were holy to Yahweh, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; there shall no more be a burden on your shoulders: now serve Yahweh your G.o.d, and his people Israel. 35:4 Prepare yourselves after your fathers" houses by your divisions, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon his son. 35:5 Stand in the holy place according to the divisions of the fathers" houses of your brothers the children of the people, and let there be for each a portion of a fathers" house of the Levites. 35:6 Kill the Pa.s.sover, and sanctify yourselves, and prepare for your brothers, to do according to the word of Yahweh by Moses. 35:7 Josiah gave to the children of the people, of the flock, lambs and kids, all of them for the Pa.s.sover offerings, to all who were present, to the number of thirty thousand, and three thousand bulls: these were of the king"s substance. 35:8 His princes gave for a freewill offering to the people, to the priests, and to the Levites. Hilkiah and Zechariah and Jehiel, the rulers of the house of G.o.d, gave to the priests for the Pa.s.sover offerings two thousand and six hundred small livestock, and three hundred head of cattle. 35:9 Conaniah also, and Shemaiah and Nethanel, his brothers, and Hashabiah and Jeiel and Jozabad, the chiefs of the Levites, gave to the Levites for the Pa.s.sover offerings five thousand small livestock, and five hundred head of cattle. 35:10 So the service was prepared, and the priests stood in their place, and the Levites by their divisions, according to the king"s commandment. 35:11 They killed the Pa.s.sover, and the priests sprinkled the blood which they received of their hand, and the Levites flayed them. 35:12 They removed the burnt offerings, that they might give them according to the divisions of the fathers" houses of the children of the people, to offer to Yahweh, as it is written in the book of Moses. So did they with the cattle. 35:13 They roasted the Pa.s.sover with fire according to the ordinance: and the holy offerings boiled they in pots, and in caldrons, and in pans, and carried them quickly to all the children of the people. 35:14 Afterward they prepared for themselves, and for the priests, because the priests the sons of Aaron were busied in offering the burnt offerings and the fat until night: therefore the Levites prepared for themselves, and for the priests the sons of Aaron.

35:15 The singers the sons of Asaph were in their place, according to the commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king"s seer; and the porters were at every gate: they didn"t need to depart from their service; for their brothers the Levites prepared for them.

35:16 So all the service of Yahweh was prepared the same day, to keep the Pa.s.sover, and to offer burnt offerings on the altar of Yahweh, according to the commandment of king Josiah. 35:17 The children of Israel who were present kept the Pa.s.sover at that time, and the feast of unleavened bread seven days. 35:18 There was no Pa.s.sover like that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did any of the kings of Israel keep such a Pa.s.sover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 35:19 In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah was this Pa.s.sover kept. 35:20 After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Neco king of Egypt went up to fight against Carchemish by the Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him. 35:21 But he sent amba.s.sadors to him, saying, What have I to do with you, you king of Judah? I come not against you this day, but against the house with which I have war; and G.o.d has commanded me to make haste: forbear you from meddling with G.o.d, who is with me, that he not destroy you. 35:22 Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and didn"t listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of G.o.d, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.

35:23 The archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to his servants, Have me away; for I am sore wounded. 35:24 So his servants took him out of the chariot, and put him in the second chariot that he had, and brought him to Jerusalem; and he died, and was buried in the tombs of his fathers. All Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah. 35:25 Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and singing women spoke of Josiah in their lamentations to this day; and they made them an ordinance in Israel: and behold, they are written in the lamentations.

35:26 Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and his good deeds, according to that which is written in the law of Yahweh, 35:27 and his acts, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.

36:1 Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and made him king in his father"s place in Jerusalem. 36:2 Joahaz was twenty-three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. 36:3 The king of Egypt deposed him at Jerusalem, and fined the land one hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold.

36:4 The king of Egypt made Eliakim his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem, and changed his name to Jehoiakim. Neco took Joahaz his brother, and carried him to Egypt. 36:5 Jehoiakim was Twenty-five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem: and he did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh his G.o.d. 36:6 Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon. 36:7 Nebuchadnezzar also carried of the vessels of the house of Yahweh to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon. 36:8 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and his abominations which he did, and that which was found in him, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his place. 36:9 Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem: and he did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh. 36:10 At the return of the year king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the goodly vessels of the house of Yahweh, and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem. 36:11 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem: 36:12 and he did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh his G.o.d; he didn"t humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of Yahweh. 36:13 He also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by G.o.d: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart against turning to Yahweh, the G.o.d of Israel. 36:14 Moreover all the chiefs of the priests, and the people, trespa.s.sed very greatly after all the abominations of the nations; and they polluted the house of Yahweh which he had made holy in Jerusalem.

36:15 Yahweh, the G.o.d of their fathers, sent to them by his messengers, rising up early and sending, because he had compa.s.sion on his people, and on his dwelling place: 36:16 but they mocked the messengers of G.o.d, and despised his words, and scoffed at his prophets, until the wrath of Yahweh arose against his people, until there was no remedy. 36:17 Therefore he brought on them the king of the Chaldeans, who killed their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compa.s.sion on young man or virgin, old man or gray-headed: he gave them all into his hand. 36:18 All the vessels of the house of G.o.d, great and small, and the treasures of the house of Yahweh, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes, all these he brought to Babylon. 36:19 They burnt the house of G.o.d, and broke down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all its palaces with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels of it. 36:20 He carried those who had escaped from the sword away to Babylon; and they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia: 36:21 to fulfill the word of Yahweh by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed its Sabbaths: for as long as it lay desolate it kept Sabbath, to fulfill seventy years. 36:22 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of Yahweh by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, Yahweh stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, 36:23 Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth has Yahweh, the G.o.d of heaven, given me; and he has commanded me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever there is among you of all his people, Yahweh his G.o.d be with him, and let him go up.

Ezra

1:1 Now in the first year of Cyrus

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