The Second Book of Divre Hayamim, starting at chapter 31
{31:1} Now when all this was finished, all Yisra'el who were present
went out to the cities of Yehudah, and broke in pieces the pillars,
and hewed down the Asherim, and broke down the high places and the
altars out of all Yehudah and Binyamin, in Efrayim also and
Menashsheh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the children
of Yisra'el returned, every man to his possession, into their own
cities. {31:2} Hizkiyahu appointed the courses of the [1>]Kohanim[<1]
and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his
service, both the [2>]Kohanim[<2] 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 the LORD. {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 Shabbatot, and for the new moons, and for the set
feasts, as it is written in the law of the LORD. {31:4} Moreover he
commanded the people who lived in Yerushalayim to give the portion of
the [3>]Kohanim[<3] and the Levites, that they might give themselves
to the law of the LORD. {31:5} As soon as the [4>]mitzvah[<4] came
abroad, the children of Yisra'el gave in abundance the first fruits of
grain, new wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the
field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly. {31:6}
The children of Yisra'el and Yehudah, who lived in the cities of
Yehudah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the
tithe of dedicated things which were consecrated to the LORD their
God, 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 Hizkiyahu and the princes came and saw the heaps,
they blessed the LORD, and his people Yisra'el. {31:9} Then Hizkiyahu
questioned the [5>]Kohanim[<5] and the Levites concerning the heaps.
{31:10} `Azaryah the chief [6>]Kohen[<6], of the house of Tzadok,
answered him and said, Since [the people] began to bring the offerings
into the house of the LORD, we have eaten and had enough, and have
left plenty: for the LORD has blessed his people; and that which is
left is this great store. {31:11} Then Hizkiyahu commanded to prepare
chambers in the house of the LORD; and they prepared them. {31:12}
They brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things
faithfully: and over them Kananyahu the Levite was ruler, and Shim`i
his brother was second. {31:13} Yechi'el, and `Azazyahu, and Nachat,
and `Asa'el, and Yerimot, and Yozavad, and Eli'el, and Yismakhyahu,
and Machat, and Benayah, were overseers under the hand of Kananyahu
and Shim`i his brother, by the appointment of Hizkiyahu the king, and
`Azaryah the ruler of the house of God. {31:14} Kore the son of Yimna
the Levite, the porter at the east [gate], was over the
freewill-offerings of God, to distribute the offerings of the LORD,
and the most holy things. {31:15} Under him were `Eden, and Minyamin,
and Yeshua, and Shemayah, Amaryah, and Shekhanyahu, in the cities of
the [7>]Kohanim[<7], in their office of trust, to give to their
brothers by courses, 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 the
LORD, as the duty of every day required, for their service in their
offices according to their courses; {31:17} and those who were
reckoned by genealogy of the [8>]Kohanim[<8] by their fathers' houses,
and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their offices by
their courses; {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 Aharon
the [9>]Kohanim[<9], 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 [10>]Kohanim[<10], and to all
who were reckoned by genealogy among the Levites. {31:20} Thus did
Hizkiyahu throughout all Yehudah; and he worked that which was good
and right and faithful before the LORD his God. {31:21} In every work
that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and
in the [11>]mitzvot[<11], to seek his God, he did it with all his
heart, and prospered.
{32:1} After these things, and this faithfulness, Sancheriv king of
Ashshur came, and entered into Yehudah, and encamped against the
fortified cities, and thought to win them for himself. {32:2} When
Hizkiyahu saw that Sancheriv was come, and that he was purposed to
fight against Yerushalayim, {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 Ashshur 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 Ashshur, nor for all the multitude 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 the LORD our God to help us,
and to fight our battles. The people rested themselves on the words of
Hizkiyahu king of Yehudah. {32:9} After this did Sancheriv king of
Ashshur send his servants to Yerushalayim, (now he was before Lakhish,
and all his power with him,) to Hizkiyahu king of Yehudah, and to all
Yehudah who were at Yerushalayim, saying, {32:10} Thus says Sancheriv
king of Ashshur, Whereon do you trust, that you abide the siege in
Yerushalayim? {32:11} Does not Hizkiyahu persuade you, to give you
over to die by famine and by thirst, saying, the LORD our God will
deliver us out of the hand of the king of Ashshur? {32:12} Has not the
same Hizkiyahu taken away his high places and his altars, and
commanded Yehudah and Yerushalayim, saying, You shall worship before
one altar, and on it shall you burn incense? {32:13} Don't you know
what I and my fathers have done to all the peoples of the lands? Were
the gods 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 gods of those
nations which my fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his
people out of my hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out
of my hand? {32:15} Now therefore don't let Hizkiyahu deceive you, nor
persuade you after this manner, neither believe you him; for no god 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 God
deliver you out of my hand? {32:16} His servants spoke yet more
against the LORD God, and against his servant Hizkiyahu. {32:17} He
wrote also letters, to rail on the LORD, the God of Yisra'el, and to
speak against him, saying, As the gods of the nations of the lands,
which have not delivered their people out of my hand, so shall the God
of Hizkiyahu not deliver his people out of my hand. {32:18} They cried
with a loud voice in the Yehudim' language to the people of
Yerushalayim who were on the wall, to frighten them, and to trouble
them; that they might take the city. {32:19} They spoke of the God of
Yerushalayim, as of the gods of the peoples of the [1>]eretz[<1],
which are the work of men's hands. {32:20} Hizkiyahu the king, and
Yesha`yahu the prophet the son of Amotz, prayed because of this, and
cried to heaven. {32:21} The LORD sent an angel, who cut off all the
mighty men of valor, and the leaders and captains, in the camp of the
king of Ashshur. So he returned with shame of face to his own land.
When he was come into the house of his god, those who came forth from
his own bowels killed him there with the sword. {32:22} Thus the LORD
saved Hizkiyahu and the inhabitants of Yerushalayim from the hand of
Sancheriv the king of Ashshur, and from the hand of all [others], and
guided them on every side. {32:23} Many brought gifts to the LORD to
Yerushalayim, and precious things to Hizkiyahu king of Yehudah; so
that he was exalted in the sight of all nations from thenceforth.
{32:24} In those days Hizkiyahu was sick even to death: and he prayed
to the LORD; and he spoke to him, and gave him a sign. {32:25} But
Hizkiyahu 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
Yehudah and Yerushalayim. {32:26} Notwithstanding Hizkiyahu humbled
himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of
Yerushalayim, so that the wrath of the LORD didn't come on them in the
days of Hizkiyahu. {32:27} Hizkiyahu 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} store-houses 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 God had given him
very much substance. {32:30} This same Hizkiyahu also stopped the
upper spring of the waters of Gichon, and brought them straight down
on the west side of the city of David. Hizkiyahu prospered in all his
works. {32:31} However in [the business of] the ambassadors of the
princes of Bavel, who sent to him to inquire of the wonder that was
done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all
that was in his heart. {32:32} Now the rest of the acts of Hizkiyahu,
and his good deeds, behold, they are written in the vision of
Yesha`yahu the prophet the son of Amotz, in the book of the kings of
Yehudah and Yisra'el. {32:33} Hizkiyahu slept with his fathers, and
they buried him in the ascent of the tombs of the sons of David: and
all Yehudah and the inhabitants of Yerushalayim did him honor at his
death. Menashsheh his son reigned in his place.
{33:1} Menashsheh was twelve years old when he began to reign; and
he reigned fifty-five years in Yerushalayim. {33:2} He did that which
was evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the
nations whom the LORD cast out before the children of Yisra'el. {33:3}
For he built again the high places which Hizkiyahu his father had
broken down; and he reared up altars for the Ba`alim, and made
Asherot, and worshiped all the host of the sky, and served them.
{33:4} He built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD
said, In Yerushalayim shall my name be forever. {33:5} He built altars
for all the host of the sky in the two courts of the house of the
LORD. {33:6} He also made his children to pass 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 the LORD, to provoke him to anger. {33:7} He set the engraved image
of the idol, which he had made, in the house of God, of which God said
to David and to Shlomo his son, In this house, and in Yerushalayim,
which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Yisra'el, will I put my
name forever: {33:8} neither will I any more remove the foot of
Yisra'el 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 Moshe. {33:9}
Menashsheh seduced Yehudah and the inhabitants of Yerushalayim, so
that they did evil more than did the nations whom the LORD destroyed
before the children of Yisra'el. {33:10} The LORD spoke to Menashsheh,
and to his people; but they gave no heed. {33:11} Therefore the LORD
brought on them the captains of the host of the king of Ashshur, who
took Menashsheh in chains, and bound him with fetters, and carried him
to Bavel. {33:12} When he was in distress, he begged the LORD his God,
and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. {33:13} He
prayed to him; and he was entreated of him, and heard his
supplication, and brought him again to Yerushalayim into his kingdom.
Then Menashsheh knew that the LORD he was God. {33:14} Now after this
he built an outer wall to the city of David, on the west side of
Gichon, in the valley, even to the entrance at the fish gate; and he
compassed `Ofel about [with it], and raised it up to a very great
height: and he put valiant captains in all the fortified cities of
Yehudah. {33:15} He took away the foreign gods, and the idol out of
the house of the LORD, and all the altars that he had built in the
mountain of the house of the LORD, and in Yerushalayim, and cast them
out of the city. {33:16} He built up the altar of the LORD, and
offered thereon sacrifices of peace-offerings and of thanksgiving, and
commanded Yehudah to serve the LORD, the God of Yisra'el. {33:17}
Nevertheless the people sacrificed still in the high places, but only
to the LORD their God. {33:18} Now the rest of the acts of Menashsheh,
and his prayer to his God, and the words of the seers who spoke to him
in the name of the LORD, the God of Yisra'el, behold, they are written
among the acts of the kings of Yisra'el. {33:19} His prayer also, and
how [God] was entreated of him, and all his sin and his trespass, 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 Menashsheh 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 Yerushalayim. {33:22} He
did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as did Menashsheh
his father; and Amon sacrificed to all the engraved images which
Menashsheh his father had made, and served them. {33:23} He didn't
humble himself before the LORD, as Menashsheh his father had humbled
himself; but this same Amon trespassed 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 Yoshiyahu his son
king in his place.
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Footnotes:
[1] {31:2} priests
[2] {31:2} priests
[3] {31:4} priests
[4] {31:5} commandment
[5] {31:9} priests
[6] {31:10} priest
[7] {31:15} priests
[8] {31:17} priests
[9] {31:19} priests
[10] {31:19} priests
[11] {31:21} commandments
[1] {32:19} earth
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