1Solomon Asks for Wisdom at Gibeon
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly.
1Solomon the son of David took a firm hold on his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him and made him exceedingly great.
2Then Solomon spake unto all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every governor in all Israel, the chief of the fathers.
2Then Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, to the judges, and to every leader in all Israel, the heads of the family lines.
3So Solomon, and all the congregation with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon; for there was the tabernacle of the congregation of God, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness.
3So Solomon and the whole assembly with him went to the high place at Gibeon, because the tent of meeting of God was there, the one Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness.
4But the ark of God had David brought up from Kirjathjearim to the place which David had prepared for it: for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem.
4But David had brought the ark of God up from Kiriath-jearim to the place he had prepared for it, because he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem.
5Moreover the brasen altar, that Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, he put before the tabernacle of the LORD: and Solomon and the congregation sought unto it.
5The bronze altar that Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made was there in front of the tabernacle of the LORD, and Solomon and the assembly went to seek the LORD at it.
6And Solomon went up thither to the brasen altar before the LORD, which was at the tabernacle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it.
6Solomon went up to the bronze altar before the LORD at the tent of meeting and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it.
7In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.
7That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you."
8And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead.
8Solomon said to God, "You showed great kindness to my father David, and you have made me king in his place.
9Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.
9Now, O LORD God, let your promise to my father David be made sure, because you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth.
10Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?
10Give me wisdom and knowledge now, so that I can lead this people well, for who could govern this great people of yours?"
11And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king:
11God said to Solomon, "Because this was in your heart, and you did not ask for riches, wealth, or honor, or for the death of your enemies, and you did not even ask for a long life, but you asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself so that you could govern my people, over whom I have made you king,
12Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.
12wisdom and knowledge are given to you. And I will also give you riches, wealth, and honor such as no king before you has ever had, and no king after you will ever have the like."
13Then Solomon came from his journey to the high place that was at Gibeon to Jerusalem, from before the tabernacle of the congregation, and reigned over Israel.
13Then Solomon returned from the high place at Gibeon, from before the tent of meeting, to Jerusalem, and he reigned over Israel.
14And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, which he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.
14Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen. He had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen, which he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem.
15And the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that are in the vale for abundance.
15The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedar as plentiful as the sycamore trees of the lowlands.
16And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king’s merchants received the linen yarn at a price.
16Solomon's horses were brought from Egypt, along with linen yarn; the king's traders bought the linen yarn at a set price.
17And they fetched up, and brought forth out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred shekels of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty: and so brought they out horses for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, by their means.
17They imported a chariot from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver and a horse for a hundred and fifty, and through these traders they exported horses to all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Syria.
2The Workforce and the Letter to Tyre
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1And Solomon determined to build an house for the name of the LORD, and an house for his kingdom.
1Solomon decided to build a house for the name of the LORD and a palace for his own kingdom.
2And Solomon told out threescore and ten thousand men to bear burdens, and fourscore thousand to hew in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them.
2Solomon counted off seventy thousand men to carry loads, eighty thousand to cut stone in the hills, and thirty-six hundred to oversee them.
3And Solomon sent to Huram the king of Tyre, saying, As thou didst deal with David my father, and didst send him cedars to build him an house to dwell therein, even so deal with me.
3Solomon sent word to Huram king of Tyre, saying, "Do for me what you did for my father David when you sent him cedars to build a house to live in.
4Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel.
4Look, I am building a house for the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to him, to burn sweet incense before him, to set out the bread that is always present, and to offer burnt offerings morning and evening, on the Sabbaths, at the new moons, and at the appointed feasts of the LORD our God. This is a lasting rule for Israel.
5And the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods.
5The house I am building will be great, because our God is greater than all gods.
6But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?
6But who is really able to build him a house, when heaven, even the highest heaven, cannot hold him? Who am I, then, to build him a house, except as a place to burn offerings before him?
7Send me now therefore a man cunning to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and that can skill to grave with the cunning men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father did provide.
7So send me now a man skilled at working in gold, silver, bronze, and iron, and in purple, crimson, and blue cloth, who also knows how to do engraving, to work alongside the skilled men I have with me in Judah and Jerusalem, whom my father David provided.
8Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees, out of Lebanon: for I know that thy servants can skill to cut timber in Lebanon; and, behold, my servants shall be with thy servants,
8Send me also cedar, cypress, and algum logs from Lebanon, because I know your servants are skilled at cutting timber in Lebanon. And look, my servants will work with your servants
9Even to prepare me timber in abundance: for the house which I am about to build shall be wonderful great.
9to prepare a great supply of timber for me, because the house I am about to build will be wonderfully great.
10And, behold, I will give to thy servants, the hewers that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.
10And look, I will give your servants who cut the timber twenty thousand measures of ground wheat, twenty thousand measures of barley, twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil."
11Then Huram the king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon, Because the LORD hath loved his people, he hath made thee king over them.
11Then Huram king of Tyre answered in a letter he sent to Solomon: "Because the LORD loves his people, he has made you king over them."
12Huram said moreover, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, that made heaven and earth, who hath given to David the king a wise son, endued with prudence and understanding, that might build an house for the LORD, and an house for his kingdom.
12Huram went on: "Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, who has given King David a wise son, gifted with good sense and understanding, who will build a house for the LORD and a palace for his kingdom.
13And now I have sent a cunning man, endued with understanding, of Huram my father’s,
13Now I am sending you a skilled man, full of understanding, Huram, my trusted craftsman.
14The son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father was a man of Tyre, skilful to work in gold, and in silver, in brass, in iron, in stone, and in timber, in purple, in blue, and in fine linen, and in crimson; also to grave any manner of graving, and to find out every device which shall be put to him, with thy cunning men, and with the cunning men of my lord David thy father.
14He is the son of a woman from the tribe of Dan, and his father was a man of Tyre. He is skilled at working in gold, silver, bronze, iron, stone, and wood, and in purple, blue, and crimson cloth and fine linen. He can do any kind of engraving and work out any design he is given, together with your skilled men and the skilled men of my lord David your father.
15Now therefore the wheat, and the barley, the oil, and the wine, which my lord hath spoken of, let him send unto his servants:
15Now then, let my lord send his servants the wheat, barley, oil, and wine he has spoken of,
16And we will cut wood out of Lebanon, as much as thou shalt need: and we will bring it to thee in floats by sea to Joppa; and thou shalt carry it up to Jerusalem.
16and we will cut all the timber you need from Lebanon and bring it to you by sea in rafts to Joppa. Then you can carry it up to Jerusalem."
17And Solomon numbered all the strangers that were in the land of Israel, after the numbering wherewith David his father had numbered them; and they were found an hundred and fifty thousand and three thousand and six hundred.
17Solomon counted all the foreigners living in the land of Israel, following the census his father David had taken of them, and they were found to number a hundred and fifty-three thousand six hundred.
18And he set threescore and ten thousand of them to be bearers of burdens, and fourscore thousand to be hewers in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred overseers to set the people a work.
18He assigned seventy thousand of them to carry loads, eighty thousand to cut stone in the hills, and thirty-six hundred to be overseers who kept the people working.
3Building the House on Mount Moriah
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the Lord appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.
1Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord had appeared to his father David, at the place David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
2And he began to build in the second day of the second month, in the fourth year of his reign.
2He began building on the second day of the second month in the fourth year of his reign.
3Now these are the things wherein Solomon was instructed for the building of the house of God. The length by cubits after the first measure was threescore cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits.
3These are the measurements Solomon laid down for building the house of God. Its length, in cubits by the old standard, was sixty cubits, and its width was twenty cubits.
4And the porch that was in the front of the house, the length of it was according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the height was an hundred and twenty: and he overlaid it within with pure gold.
4The porch at the front of the house was as long as the house was wide, twenty cubits, and its height was a hundred and twenty. He overlaid the inside of it with pure gold.
5And the greater house he cieled with fir tree, which he overlaid with fine gold, and set thereon palm trees and chains.
5He paneled the main hall with cypress wood, overlaid it with fine gold, and decorated it with palm trees and chains.
6And he garnished the house with precious stones for beauty: and the gold was gold of Parvaim.
6He adorned the house with precious stones for beauty, and the gold was gold from Parvaim.
7He overlaid also the house, the beams, the posts, and the walls thereof, and the doors thereof, with gold; and graved cherubims on the walls.
7He also overlaid the house, its beams, its doorframes, its walls, and its doors with gold, and he carved cherubim on the walls.
8And he made the most holy house, the length whereof was according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits: and he overlaid it with fine gold, amounting to six hundred talents.
8He made the Most Holy Place. Its length matched the width of the house, twenty cubits, and its width was twenty cubits. He overlaid it with fine gold weighing six hundred talents.
9And the weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold.
9The nails weighed fifty shekels of gold. He overlaid the upper rooms with gold as well.
10And in the most holy house he made two cherubims of image work, and overlaid them with gold.
10In the Most Holy Place he made two sculpted cherubim and overlaid them with gold.
11And the wings of the cherubims were twenty cubits long: one wing of the one cherub was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house: and the other wing was likewise five cubits, reaching to the wing of the other cherub.
11The wings of the cherubim together spanned twenty cubits. One wing of the first cherub was five cubits long and touched the wall of the house, and its other wing was also five cubits, touching the wing of the other cherub.
12And one wing of the other cherub was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house: and the other wing was five cubits also, joining to the wing of the other cherub.
12One wing of the second cherub was five cubits long and touched the wall of the house, and its other wing was also five cubits, joining the wing of the first cherub.
13The wings of these cherubims spread themselves forth twenty cubits: and they stood on their feet, and their faces were inward.
13So the wings of these cherubim spread out twenty cubits. They stood on their feet, facing inward.
14And he made the vail of blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and wrought cherubims thereon.
14He made the veil of blue, purple, and crimson cloth and fine linen, and worked cherubim into it.
15Also he made before the house two pillars of thirty and five cubits high, and the chapiter that was on the top of each of them was five cubits.
15In front of the house he made two pillars thirty-five cubits high, and the capital on top of each was five cubits.
16And he made chains, as in the oracle, and put them on the heads of the pillars; and made an hundred pomegranates, and put them on the chains.
16He made chains like those in the inner sanctuary and put them on the tops of the pillars, and he made a hundred pomegranates and hung them on the chains.
17And he reared up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand, and the other on the left; and called the name of that on the right hand Jachin, and the name of that on the left Boaz.
17He set up the pillars in front of the temple, one on the right and one on the left. He named the one on the right Jachin and the one on the left Boaz.
4The Bronze Furnishings and the Gold Vessels
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Moreover he made an altar of brass, twenty cubits the length thereof, and twenty cubits the breadth thereof, and ten cubits the height thereof.
1He also made a bronze altar, twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and ten cubits high.
2Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass, and five cubits the height thereof; and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about.
2He made the cast metal sea, ten cubits from rim to rim, round in shape, five cubits high, and a line of thirty cubits went all the way around it.
3And under it was the similitude of oxen, which did compass it round about: ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about. Two rows of oxen were cast, when it was cast.
3Under it, all the way around, were figures of oxen, ten to every cubit, circling the sea. The oxen were in two rows, cast in one piece with it.
4It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea was set above upon them, and all their hinder parts were inward.
4It stood on twelve oxen, three facing north, three facing west, three facing south, and three facing east. The sea rested on top of them, and all their hindquarters pointed inward.
5And the thickness of it was an handbreadth, and the brim of it like the work of the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies; and it received and held three thousand baths.
5It was a handbreadth thick, and its rim was shaped like the rim of a cup, like a lily blossom. It held three thousand baths.
6He made also ten lavers, and put five on the right hand, and five on the left, to wash in them: such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in them; but the sea was for the priests to wash in.
6He also made ten basins and put five on the right side and five on the left, for washing. The things offered for the burnt offering were rinsed in them, but the sea was for the priests to wash in.
7And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form, and set them in the temple, five on the right hand, and five on the left.
7He made ten gold lampstands according to their pattern and set them in the temple, five on the right and five on the left.
8He made also ten tables, and placed them in the temple, five on the right side, and five on the left. And he made an hundred basons of gold.
8He also made ten tables and placed them in the temple, five on the right side and five on the left. And he made a hundred gold bowls.
9Furthermore he made the court of the priests, and the great court, and doors for the court, and overlaid the doors of them with brass.
9He made the court of the priests and the great court, with doors for the court, and he overlaid their doors with bronze.
10And he set the sea on the right side of the east end, over against the south.
10He set the sea on the right side, at the southeast corner.
11And Huram made the pots, and the shovels, and the basons. And Huram finished the work that he was to make for king Solomon for the house of God;
11Huram made the pots, the shovels, and the bowls. So Huram finished the work he had been doing for King Solomon in the house of God:
12To wit, the two pillars, and the pommels, and the chapiters which were on the top of the two pillars, and the two wreaths to cover the two pommels of the chapiters which were on the top of the pillars;
12the two pillars; the bowls and the capitals on top of the two pillars; the two sets of latticework covering the two bowls of the capitals on top of the pillars;
13And four hundred pomegranates on the two wreaths; two rows of pomegranates on each wreath, to cover the two pommels of the chapiters which were upon the pillars.
13the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of latticework, two rows of pomegranates on each set, covering the two bowls of the capitals on the pillars;
14He made also bases, and lavers made he upon the bases;
14he also made the stands, and the basins on the stands;
15One sea, and twelve oxen under it.
15the one sea and the twelve oxen under it;
16The pots also, and the shovels, and the fleshhooks, and all their instruments, did Huram his father make to king Solomon for the house of the LORD of bright brass.
16and the pots, the shovels, the meat forks, and all their related tools. Huram, his master craftsman, made them for King Solomon for the house of the LORD out of polished bronze.
17In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah.
17The king had them cast in the plain of the Jordan, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredah.
18Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundance: for the weight of the brass could not be found out.
18Solomon made all these vessels in such great quantity that the weight of the bronze could not be determined.
19And Solomon made all the vessels that were for the house of God, the golden altar also, and the tables whereon the shewbread was set;
19Solomon also made all the furnishings for the house of God: the gold altar and the tables on which the showbread was set;
20Moreover the candlesticks with their lamps, that they should burn after the manner before the oracle, of pure gold;
20the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold, to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as required;
21And the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, made he of gold, and that perfect gold;
21the flowers, the lamps, and the tongs, made of gold, and the purest gold at that;
22And the snuffers, and the basons, and the spoons, and the censers, of pure gold: and the entry of the house, the inner doors thereof for the most holy place, and the doors of the house of the temple, were of gold.
22the wick trimmers, the bowls, the dishes, and the censers, of pure gold. As for the entrance to the house, its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were made of gold.
5The Ark Brought In and the Cloud
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Thus all the work that Solomon made for the house of the LORD was finished: and Solomon brought in all the things that David his father had dedicated; and the silver, and the gold, and all the instruments, put he among the treasures of the house of God.
1So all the work Solomon did for the house of the LORD was finished. Then Solomon brought in the things his father David had dedicated, the silver, the gold, and all the furnishings, and put them in the treasuries of the house of God.
2Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.
2Then Solomon called together in Jerusalem the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the family lines of the people of Israel, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the city of David, which is Zion.
3Wherefore all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto the king in the feast which was in the seventh month.
3So all the men of Israel gathered before the king at the feast in the seventh month.
4And all the elders of Israel came; and the Levites took up the ark.
4All the elders of Israel came, and the Levites lifted the ark.
5And they brought up the ark, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle, these did the priests and the Levites bring up.
5They brought up the ark, the tent of meeting, and all the holy vessels that were in the tent; the priests and the Levites carried them up.
6Also king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel that were assembled unto him before the ark, sacrificed sheep and oxen, which could not be told nor numbered for multitude.
6King Solomon and the whole assembly of Israel that had gathered around him before the ark sacrificed so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered.
7And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place, to the oracle of the house, into the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubims:
7The priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place in the inner sanctuary of the house, the Most Holy Place, beneath the wings of the cherubim.
8For the cherubims spread forth their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above.
8The cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark, so that the cherubim covered the ark and its poles from above.
9And they drew out the staves of the ark, that the ends of the staves were seen from the ark before the oracle; but they were not seen without. And there it is unto this day.
9The poles were so long that their ends could be seen from the ark in front of the inner sanctuary, but they could not be seen from outside. And it is still there to this day.
10There was nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put therein at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt.
10There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets Moses had placed in it at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the people of Israel after they came out of Egypt.
11And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place: (for all the priests that were present were sanctified, and did not then wait by course:
11Then the priests came out of the holy place. (All the priests who were present had consecrated themselves, without regard to their divisions.
12Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:)
12And the Levite singers, all of them, of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, with their sons and relatives, dressed in fine linen and holding cymbals, harps, and lyres, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them were a hundred and twenty priests blowing trumpets.)
13It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;
13The trumpeters and singers joined together as one to make a single sound of praise and thanks to the LORD, and when they raised their voices with the trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments of music and praised the LORD, singing, "For he is good; his mercy endures forever," then the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud,
14So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.
14so that the priests could not stand to carry out their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.
6Solomon's Prayer of Dedication
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Then said Solomon, The LORD hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.
1Then Solomon said, "The LORD has said that he would dwell in thick darkness.
2But I have built an house of habitation for thee, and a place for thy dwelling for ever.
2But I have built you a house to live in, a place for you to dwell forever."
3And the king turned his face, and blessed the whole congregation of Israel: and all the congregation of Israel stood.
3Then the king turned around and blessed the whole assembly of Israel, while the whole assembly of Israel stood.
4And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who hath with his hands fulfilled that which he spake with his mouth to my father David, saying,
4He said, "Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who with his own hands has carried out what he promised with his mouth to my father David, saying,
5Since the day that I brought forth my people out of the land of Egypt I chose no city among all the tribes of Israel to build an house in, that my name might be there; neither chose I any man to be a ruler over my people Israel:
5'From the day I brought my people out of the land of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to have a house built where my name would be, and I chose no man to be ruler over my people Israel.
6But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel.
6But I have chosen Jerusalem so that my name would be there, and I have chosen David to be over my people Israel.'
7Now it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.
7Now my father David had it in his heart to build a house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.
8But the LORD said to David my father, Forasmuch as it was in thine heart to build an house for my name, thou didst well in that it was in thine heart:
8But the LORD said to my father David, 'Because it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well to have that in your heart.
9Notwithstanding thou shalt not build the house; but thy son which shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house for my name.
9Still, you will not build the house; your son, your own child, is the one who will build the house for my name.'
10The LORD therefore hath performed his word that he hath spoken: for I am risen up in the room of David my father, and am set on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built the house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.
10The LORD has now kept the word he spoke, for I have risen up in my father David's place and sit on the throne of Israel, just as the LORD promised, and I have built the house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.
11And in it have I put the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, that he made with the children of Israel.
11And in it I have placed the ark, which holds the covenant of the LORD that he made with the people of Israel."
12And he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands:
12Then he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly of Israel and spread out his hands.
13For Solomon had made a brasen scaffold of five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven,
13For Solomon had made a bronze platform five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high, and had set it in the middle of the court. He stood on it, then knelt down on his knees before the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven,
14And said, O LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and shewest mercy unto thy servants, that walk before thee with all their hearts:
14and said, "O LORD God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven or on earth. You keep your covenant and show mercy to your servants who walk before you with all their heart.
15Thou which hast kept with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him; and spakest with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is this day.
15You have kept the promise you made to your servant David, my father. You spoke it with your mouth, and with your hand you have fulfilled it, as it is today.
16Now therefore, O LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit upon the throne of Israel; yet so that thy children take heed to their way to walk in my law, as thou hast walked before me.
16Now, O LORD God of Israel, keep the promise you made to your servant David, my father, when you said, 'You will never fail to have a man before me sitting on the throne of Israel, as long as your children are careful to walk in my law as you have walked before me.'
17Now then, O LORD God of Israel, let thy word be verified, which thou hast spoken unto thy servant David.
17So now, O LORD God of Israel, let the word you spoke to your servant David come true.
18But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!
18But will God really live with people on the earth? Look, heaven, even the highest heaven, cannot hold you; how much less this house I have built!
19Have respect therefore to the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee:
19Yet pay attention to the prayer of your servant and to his plea, O LORD my God, and listen to the cry and the prayer your servant is praying before you.
20That thine eyes may be open upon this house day and night, upon the place whereof thou hast said that thou wouldest put thy name there; to hearken unto the prayer which thy servant prayeth toward this place.
20May your eyes be open toward this house day and night, toward the place where you said you would put your name, so that you hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place.
21Hearken therefore unto the supplications of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, which they shall make toward this place: hear thou from thy dwelling place, even from heaven; and when thou hearest, forgive.
21Listen to the pleas of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from where you dwell, from heaven, and when you hear, forgive.
22If a man sin against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to make him swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house;
22If someone wrongs his neighbor and is required to take an oath, and he comes and swears the oath before your altar in this house,
23Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness.
23then hear from heaven and act. Judge between your servants: pay back the guilty by bringing his deeds down on his own head, and clear the innocent by rewarding him for his righteousness.
24And if thy people Israel be put to the worse before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee; and shall return and confess thy name, and pray and make supplication before thee in this house;
24If your people Israel are defeated by an enemy because they have sinned against you, and they turn back and confess your name, and pray and plead with you in this house,
25Then hear thou from the heavens, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest to them and to their fathers.
25then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel, and bring them back to the land you gave to them and their fathers.
26When the heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; yet if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou dost afflict them;
26When the sky is shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against you, and they pray toward this place and confess your name and turn from their sin because you have humbled them,
27Then hear thou from heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, when thou hast taught them the good way, wherein they should walk; and send rain upon thy land, which thou hast given unto thy people for an inheritance.
27then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel, once you have taught them the right way to live, and send rain on your land, which you gave your people as their inheritance.
28If there be dearth in the land, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting, or mildew, locusts, or caterpillers; if their enemies besiege them in the cities of their land; whatsoever sore or whatsoever sickness there be:
28If there is famine in the land, or plague, or blight, or mildew, or locusts, or grasshoppers, or if their enemies besiege them in any of the cities of their land, whatever the disaster or sickness may be,
29Then what prayer or what supplication soever shall be made of any man, or of all thy people Israel, when every one shall know his own sore and his own grief, and shall spread forth his hands in this house:
29then whatever prayer or plea is made by any person or by all your people Israel, each one knowing his own trouble and his own pain and spreading out his hands toward this house,
30Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)
30hear from heaven, where you dwell, and forgive, and deal with each person according to all he has done, since you know his heart, for you alone know the hearts of all people,
31That they may fear thee, to walk in thy ways, so long as they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers.
31so that they will fear you and walk in your ways as long as they live in the land you gave to our fathers.
32Moreover concerning the stranger, which is not of thy people Israel, but is come from a far country for thy great name’s sake, and thy mighty hand, and thy stretched out arm; if they come and pray in this house;
32And as for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your great name, your mighty hand, and your outstretched arm, if he comes and prays toward this house,
33Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for; that all people of the earth may know thy name, and fear thee, as doth thy people Israel, and may know that this house which I have built is called by thy name.
33then hear from heaven, where you dwell, and do everything the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth will know your name and fear you, as your people Israel do, and will know that this house I have built bears your name.
34If thy people go out to war against their enemies by the way that thou shalt send them, and they pray unto thee toward this city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name;
34If your people go out to war against their enemies, wherever you send them, and they pray to you toward this city you have chosen and the house I have built for your name,
35Then hear thou from the heavens their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.
35then hear their prayer and their plea from heaven, and uphold their cause.
36If they sin against thee, (for there is no man which sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them over before their enemies, and they carry them away captives unto a land far off or near;
36If they sin against you (for there is no one who does not sin) and you become angry with them and hand them over to an enemy who carries them off as captives to a land far away or near,
37Yet if they bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive, and turn and pray unto thee in the land of their captivity, saying, We have sinned, we have done amiss, and have dealt wickedly;
37and if they come to their senses in the land where they are held captive, and turn back and plead with you in the land of their captivity, saying, 'We have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly,'
38If they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captives, and pray toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name:
38and if they return to you with all their heart and all their soul in the land of their captivity where they were taken, and pray toward the land you gave their fathers, toward the city you have chosen, and toward the house I have built for your name,
39Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive thy people which have sinned against thee.
39then hear from heaven, where you dwell, their prayer and their pleas, uphold their cause, and forgive your people who have sinned against you.
40Now, my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be open, and let thine ears be attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.
40Now, my God, I ask you, let your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place.
41Now therefore arise, O LORD God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness.
41Now rise up, O LORD God, and come to your resting place, you and the ark of your strength. Let your priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and let your faithful ones rejoice in your goodness.
42O LORD God, turn not away the face of thine anointed: remember the mercies of David thy servant.
42O LORD God, do not turn away the face of your anointed one; remember the faithful love you showed to your servant David."
7Fire From Heaven and God's Answer
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house.
1When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the house.
2And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD’s house.
2The priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD's house.
3And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
3When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the LORD resting on the house, they bowed down with their faces to the pavement and worshiped, praising the LORD and saying, "For he is good; his mercy endures forever."
4Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD.
4Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD.
5And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep: so the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.
5King Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty-two thousand oxen and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.
6And the priests waited on their offices: the Levites also with instruments of musick of the LORD, which David the king had made to praise the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever, when David praised by their ministry; and the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood.
6The priests stood at their posts, and so did the Levites with the LORD's instruments of music, which King David had made for praising the LORD, "for his mercy endures forever," whenever David offered praise through them. Across from them the priests blew trumpets, and all Israel stood.
7Moreover Solomon hallowed the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, because the brasen altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt offerings, and the meat offerings, and the fat.
7Solomon also set apart the middle of the court in front of the house of the LORD, and there he offered burnt offerings and the fat of the peace offerings, because the bronze altar Solomon had made could not hold all the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat.
8Also at the same time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt.
8At that same time Solomon kept the feast for seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great assembly, from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of Egypt.
9And in the eighth day they made a solemn assembly: for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days.
9On the eighth day they held a solemn assembly, for they had celebrated the dedication of the altar for seven days and the feast for seven days.
10And on the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he sent the people away into their tents, glad and merry in heart for the goodness that the LORD had shewed unto David, and to Solomon, and to Israel his people.
10On the twenty-third day of the seventh month he sent the people home to their tents, glad and cheerful at heart because of the goodness the LORD had shown to David, to Solomon, and to his people Israel.
11Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD, and the king’s house: and all that came into Solomon’s heart to make in the house of the LORD, and in his own house, he prosperously effected.
11So Solomon finished the house of the LORD and the king's palace. Everything Solomon had set his heart on doing in the house of the LORD and in his own palace, he carried out successfully.
12And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice.
12Then the LORD appeared to Solomon at night and said to him, "I have heard your prayer, and I have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice.
13If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;
13If I shut up the sky so that there is no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send plague among my people,
14If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
14and if my people, who are called by my name, humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land.
15Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.
15Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place.
16For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.
16For now I have chosen this house and made it holy, so that my name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.
17And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and shalt observe my statutes and my judgments;
17As for you, if you walk before me as your father David walked, and do everything I have commanded you, and keep my statutes and my judgments,
18Then will I stablish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I have covenanted with David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel.
18then I will establish your royal throne, as I covenanted with your father David when I said, 'You will never fail to have a man to rule in Israel.'
19But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them;
19But if you turn away and abandon my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and go off to serve other gods and worship them,
20Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations.
20then I will uproot them from my land, which I have given them, and this house, which I have made holy for my name, I will throw out of my sight, and I will make it a proverb and a laughingstock among all the nations.
21And this house, which is high, shall be an astonishment to every one that passeth by it; so that he shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and unto this house?
21And this house, now so exalted, will become a shock to everyone who passes by, so that they will say, 'Why has the LORD done this to this land and to this house?'
22And it shall be answered, Because they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods, and worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath he brought all this evil upon them.
22And the answer will be, 'Because they abandoned the LORD, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and clung to other gods and worshiped and served them. That is why he has brought all this disaster on them.'"
8Solomon's Cities, Labor, and Ships
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1And it came to pass at the end of twenty years, wherein Solomon had built the house of the LORD, and his own house,
1At the end of the twenty years in which Solomon had built the house of the LORD and his own palace,
2That the cities which Huram had restored to Solomon, Solomon built them, and caused the children of Israel to dwell there.
2Solomon rebuilt the cities that Huram had given back to him and settled the people of Israel in them.
3And Solomon went to Hamathzobah, and prevailed against it.
3Then Solomon marched against Hamath-zobah and conquered it.
4And he built Tadmor in the wilderness, and all the store cities, which he built in Hamath.
4He built Tadmor in the desert and all the storage cities he built in Hamath.
5Also he built Bethhoron the upper, and Bethhoron the nether, fenced cities, with walls, gates, and bars;
5He also built Upper Beth-horon and Lower Beth-horon as fortified cities with walls, gates, and bars,
6And Baalath, and all the store cities that Solomon had, and all the chariot cities, and the cities of the horsemen, and all that Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and throughout all the land of his dominion.
6along with Baalath, all the storage cities Solomon owned, all the cities for his chariots and for his horsemen, and everything Solomon wanted to build in Jerusalem, in Lebanon, and throughout the whole land he ruled.
7As for all the people that were left of the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which were not of Israel,
7As for all the people who were left of the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, who were not Israelites,
8But of their children, who were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel consumed not, them did Solomon make to pay tribute until this day.
8their descendants who were still in the land, whom the people of Israel had not wiped out, Solomon made into forced laborers, and so they remain to this day.
9But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no servants for his work; but they were men of war, and chief of his captains, and captains of his chariots and horsemen.
9But Solomon made none of the people of Israel slaves for his work. They were his soldiers, the leaders of his captains, and the commanders of his chariots and his horsemen.
10And these were the chief of king Solomon’s officers, even two hundred and fifty, that bare rule over the people.
10These were the chief officers of King Solomon, two hundred and fifty of them, who had authority over the people.
11And Solomon brought up the daughter of Pharaoh out of the city of David unto the house that he had built for her: for he said, My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because the places are holy, whereunto the ark of the LORD hath come.
11Solomon brought Pharaoh's daughter up from the city of David to the palace he had built for her, for he said, "My wife must not live in the palace of David king of Israel, because the places where the ark of the LORD has come are holy."
12Then Solomon offered burnt offerings unto the LORD on the altar of the LORD, which he had built before the porch,
12Then Solomon offered burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of the LORD that he had built in front of the porch,
13Even after a certain rate every day, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts, three times in the year, even in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles.
13offering what was required each day, as Moses commanded, on the Sabbaths, the new moons, and the appointed feasts three times a year: the feast of unleavened bread, the feast of weeks, and the feast of tabernacles.
14And he appointed, according to the order of David his father, the courses of the priests to their service, and the Levites to their charges, to praise and minister before the priests, as the duty of every day required: the porters also by their courses at every gate: for so had David the man of God commanded.
14Following the arrangement of his father David, he assigned the divisions of the priests to their service and the Levites to their duties, to lead the praise and to help the priests as each day's work required, and the gatekeepers by their divisions at every gate, for this is what David the man of God had commanded.
15And they departed not from the commandment of the king unto the priests and Levites concerning any matter, or concerning the treasures.
15They did not turn aside from the king's orders to the priests and Levites in any matter, including the treasuries.
16Now all the work of Solomon was prepared unto the day of the foundation of the house of the LORD, and until it was finished. So the house of the LORD was perfected.
16So all of Solomon's work was carried out, from the day the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid until it was finished. And so the house of the LORD was completed.
17Then went Solomon to Eziongeber, and to Eloth, at the sea side in the land of Edom.
17Then Solomon went to Ezion-geber and to Eloth, on the seacoast in the land of Edom.
18And Huram sent him by the hands of his servants ships, and servants that had knowledge of the sea; and they went with the servants of Solomon to Ophir, and took thence four hundred and fifty talents of gold, and brought them to king Solomon.
18Huram sent him ships by his servants, along with servants who knew the sea, and they went with Solomon's servants to Ophir, took four hundred and fifty talents of gold from there, and brought it to King Solomon.
9The Queen of Sheba and Solomon's Splendor
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.
1When the queen of Sheba heard how famous Solomon was, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions. She brought a very large group with her, and camels carrying spices, a great deal of gold, and precious stones. When she came to Solomon, she talked with him about everything on her heart.
2And Solomon told her all her questions: and there was nothing hid from Solomon which he told her not.
2Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for Solomon to explain to her.
3And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had built,
3When the queen of Sheba saw Solomon's wisdom and the palace he had built,
4And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.
4the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the service of his attendants and their clothing, his cupbearers and their clothing, and the stairway by which he went up to the house of the LORD, it took her breath away.
5And she said to the king, It was a true report which I heard in mine own land of thine acts, and of thy wisdom:
5She said to the king, "The report I heard in my own country about your deeds and your wisdom was true.
6Howbeit I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: for thou exceedest the fame that I heard.
6But I did not believe what they said until I came and saw it with my own eyes. And look, not even half of your great wisdom was told to me. You are far greater than the report I heard.
7Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom.
7How happy your people are, and how happy these servants of yours who stand before you all the time and hear your wisdom!
8Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne, to be king for the LORD thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever, therefore made he thee king over them, to do judgment and justice.
8Blessed be the LORD your God, who was so pleased with you that he set you on his throne to be king for the LORD your God. Because your God loves Israel and wants to make them stand forever, he made you king over them to rule with fairness and justice."
9And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices great abundance, and precious stones: neither was there any such spice as the queen of Sheba gave king Solomon.
9Then she gave the king a hundred and twenty talents of gold, a huge amount of spices, and precious stones. There had never been spices like the ones the queen of Sheba gave King Solomon.
10And the servants also of Huram, and the servants of Solomon, which brought gold from Ophir, brought algum trees and precious stones.
10The servants of Huram and the servants of Solomon, who brought gold from Ophir, also brought algum wood and precious stones.
11And the king made of the algum trees terraces to the house of the LORD, and to the king’s palace, and harps and psalteries for singers: and there were none such seen before in the land of Judah.
11The king used the algum wood to make steps for the house of the LORD and for the king's palace, and harps and lyres for the singers. Nothing like them had ever been seen before in the land of Judah.
12And king Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which she had brought unto the king. So she turned, and went away to her own land, she and her servants.
12King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba everything she wanted, whatever she asked for, beyond what she had brought to the king. Then she turned and went back to her own land, she and her servants.
13Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and threescore and six talents of gold;
13The weight of the gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and sixty-six talents,
14Beside that which chapmen and merchants brought. And all the kings of Arabia and governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon.
14not counting what the traders and merchants brought in. All the kings of Arabia and the governors of the land brought gold and silver to Solomon.
15And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold: six hundred shekels of beaten gold went to one target.
15King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred shekels of hammered gold went into each one.
16And three hundred shields made he of beaten gold: three hundred shekels of gold went to one shield. And the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.
16He also made three hundred smaller shields of hammered gold, with three hundred shekels of gold in each shield. The king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.
17Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold.
17The king also made a great throne of ivory and covered it with pure gold.
18And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on each side of the sitting place, and two lions standing by the stays:
18The throne had six steps and a gold footstool attached to it, with armrests on each side of the seat and two lions standing beside the armrests.
19And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps. There was not the like made in any kingdom.
19Twelve lions stood on the six steps, one at each end of every step. Nothing like it had ever been made in any kingdom.
20And all the drinking vessels of king Solomon were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold: none were of silver; it was not any thing accounted of in the days of Solomon.
20All King Solomon's drinking cups were gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold. None were silver; silver counted for nothing in Solomon's day.
21For the king’s ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram: every three years once came the ships of Tarshish bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.
21For the king's ships went to Tarshish with Huram's servants, and once every three years the ships of Tarshish came back carrying gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
22And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.
22King Solomon was greater than all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.
23And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart.
23All the kings of the earth wanted to meet Solomon and hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart.
24And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and raiment, harness, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year.
24Every one of them brought a gift: articles of silver and gold, clothing, weapons, spices, horses, and mules, a set amount year after year.
25And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen; whom he bestowed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.
25Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots and twelve thousand horsemen, which he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem.
26And he reigned over all the kings from the river even unto the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt.
26He ruled over all the kings from the River to the land of the Philistines and as far as the border of Egypt.
27And the king made silver in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that are in the low plains in abundance.
27The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as plentiful as the sycamore trees of the lowlands.
28And they brought unto Solomon horses out of Egypt, and out of all lands.
28Horses were brought to Solomon from Egypt and from every other land.
29Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, are they not written in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer against Jeroboam the son of Nebat?
29The rest of what Solomon did, from beginning to end, is written in the record of Nathan the prophet, in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam son of Nebat.
30And Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years.
30Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel for forty years.
31And Solomon slept with his fathers, and he was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.
31Then Solomon died and was buried in the city of David his father, and his son Rehoboam became king in his place.
10Rehoboam's Harsh Answer and the Kingdom Divided
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for to Shechem were all Israel come to make him king.
1Rehoboam went to Shechem, because all Israel had gathered at Shechem to make him king.
2And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was in Egypt, whither he had fled from the presence of Solomon the king, heard it, that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt.
2When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard about it (he was in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon), he came back from Egypt.
3And they sent and called him. So Jeroboam and all Israel came and spake to Rehoboam, saying,
3They sent for him, and Jeroboam and all Israel came and said to Rehoboam,
4Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous servitude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will serve thee.
4"Your father put a heavy yoke on us. Now lighten the hard labor and the heavy yoke your father laid on us, and we will serve you."
5And he said unto them, Come again unto me after three days. And the people departed.
5He answered them, "Come back to me in three days." So the people went away.
6And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye me to return answer to this people?
6King Rehoboam asked the advice of the older men who had served his father Solomon while he was alive. He said, "How do you advise me to answer these people?"
7And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever.
7They told him, "If you are kind to these people and please them and speak good words to them, they will be your servants forever."
8But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men that were brought up with him, that stood before him.
8But he rejected the advice the older men gave him and asked the young men who had grown up with him and now served him.
9And he said unto them, What advice give ye that we may return answer to this people, which have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat the yoke that thy father did put upon us?
9He said to them, "What do you advise? How should we answer these people who said to me, 'Lighten the yoke your father put on us'?"
10And the young men that were brought up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou answer the people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it somewhat lighter for us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s loins.
10The young men who had grown up with him answered, "This is what you should say to the people who told you, 'Your father made our yoke heavy, but you make it lighter for us.' Tell them, 'My little finger is thicker than my father's waist.
11For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
11My father put a heavy yoke on you; I will make it heavier. My father punished you with whips, but I will punish you with scorpions.'"
12So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king bade, saying, Come again to me on the third day.
12Jeroboam and all the people came back to Rehoboam on the third day, just as the king had said when he told them, "Come back to me on the third day."
13And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men,
13The king answered them harshly. King Rehoboam rejected the advice of the older men
14And answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
14and answered them the way the young men had advised: "My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to it. My father punished you with whips, but I will punish you with scorpions."
15So the king hearkened not unto the people: for the cause was of God, that the LORD might perform his word, which he spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
15So the king would not listen to the people, for this turn of events came from God, so that the LORD might carry out the word he had spoken through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam son of Nebat.
16And when all Israel saw that the king would not hearken unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? and we have none inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to your tents, O Israel: and now, David, see to thine own house. So all Israel went to their tents.
16When all Israel saw that the king would not listen to them, the people answered the king, "What share do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. Everyone to your tents, Israel! Now look after your own house, David!" So all Israel went home to their tents.
17But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.
17But Rehoboam still ruled over the Israelites who lived in the cities of Judah.
18Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram that was over the tribute; and the children of Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. But king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.
18Then King Rehoboam sent out Hadoram, who was in charge of the forced labor, but the people of Israel stoned him to death. King Rehoboam hurried to his chariot and escaped to Jerusalem.
19And Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.
19So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day.
11Rehoboam Fortifies Judah
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam.
1When Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he gathered a hundred and eighty thousand chosen fighting men from the house of Judah and Benjamin to fight against Israel and win the kingdom back for Rehoboam.
2But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,
2But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God:
3Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying,
3"Say to Rehoboam son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all the Israelites in Judah and Benjamin,
4Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house: for this thing is done of me. And they obeyed the words of the LORD, and returned from going against Jeroboam.
4'This is what the LORD says: Do not go up and fight against your brothers. Every one of you go home, for I am the one who has brought this about.'" So they obeyed the words of the LORD and turned back from marching against Jeroboam.
5And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah.
5Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem and built cities for defense in Judah.
6He built even Bethlehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,
6He built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,
7And Bethzur, and Shoco, and Adullam,
7Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam,
8And Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph,
8Gath, Mareshah, Ziph,
9And Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah,
9Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah,
10And Zorah, and Aijalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and in Benjamin fenced cities.
10Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron, the fortified cities in Judah and Benjamin.
11And he fortified the strong holds, and put captains in them, and store of victual, and of oil and wine.
11He strengthened the fortresses and put commanders in them, with supplies of food, olive oil, and wine.
12And in every several city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.
12He put shields and spears in every city and made them very strong. So Judah and Benjamin were his.
13And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their coasts.
13The priests and the Levites from all over Israel came over to him from every district where they lived.
14For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from executing the priest’s office unto the LORD:
14The Levites left their pasturelands and their property and came to Judah and Jerusalem, because Jeroboam and his sons had thrown them out of serving as priests of the LORD.
15And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made.
15Jeroboam appointed his own priests for the high places, for the goat idols, and for the calves he had made.
16And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers.
16After the Levites, people from all the tribes of Israel who set their hearts on seeking the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the LORD, the God of their fathers.
17So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon.
17So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah and made Rehoboam son of Solomon strong for three years, because for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon.
18And Rehoboam took him Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David to wife, and Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse;
18Rehoboam married Mahalath, the daughter of Jerimoth son of David and of Abihail, the daughter of Eliab son of Jesse.
19Which bare him children; Jeush, and Shamariah, and Zaham.
19She bore him sons: Jeush, Shemariah, and Zaham.
20And after her he took Maachah the daughter of Absalom; which bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.
20After her he married Maacah the daughter of Absalom, who bore him Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith.
21And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines; and begat twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters.)
21Rehoboam loved Maacah the daughter of Absalom more than all his other wives and concubines. (He had eighteen wives and sixty concubines, and he fathered twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters.)
22And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah the chief, to be ruler among his brethren: for he thought to make him king.
22Rehoboam made Abijah son of Maacah the chief prince among his brothers, because he intended to make him king.
23And he dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his children throughout all the countries of Judah and Benjamin, unto every fenced city: and he gave them victual in abundance. And he desired many wives.
23He acted wisely and spread some of his sons throughout all the districts of Judah and Benjamin, into every fortified city, and gave them plenty of food. And he sought many wives for them.
12Shishak Invades and Rehoboam Humbles Himself
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him.
1When Rehoboam had made his kingdom secure and had grown strong, he abandoned the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him.
2And it came to pass, that in the fifth year of king Rehoboam Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had transgressed against the LORD,
2So in the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem, because they had been unfaithful to the LORD.
3With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen: and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians.
3He came with twelve hundred chariots and sixty thousand horsemen, and the people who came with him from Egypt were too many to count: the Libyans, the Sukkites, and the Ethiopians.
4And he took the fenced cities which pertained to Judah, and came to Jerusalem.
4He captured the fortified cities of Judah and came as far as Jerusalem.
5Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.
5Then the prophet Shemaiah came to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah, who had gathered in Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said to them, "This is what the LORD says: You have abandoned me, so I have abandoned you to Shishak."
6Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, The LORD is righteous.
6Then the leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, "The LORD is right."
7And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.
7When the LORD saw that they had humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah: "They have humbled themselves, so I will not destroy them. I will give them some relief, and my anger will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak.
8Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.
8But they will become his servants, so that they may learn the difference between serving me and serving the kings of other lands."
9So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king’s house; he took all: he carried away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made.
9So Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem and carried off the treasures of the house of the LORD and the treasures of the king's palace. He took everything, including the gold shields Solomon had made.
10Instead of which king Rehoboam made shields of brass, and committed them to the hands of the chief of the guard, that kept the entrance of the king’s house.
10In their place King Rehoboam made shields of bronze and handed them over to the commanders of the guard who kept watch at the entrance to the king's palace.
11And when the king entered into the house of the LORD, the guard came and fetched them, and brought them again into the guard chamber.
11Whenever the king went into the house of the LORD, the guards would come and carry the shields, and then take them back to the guardroom.
12And when he humbled himself, the wrath of the LORD turned from him, that he would not destroy him altogether: and also in Judah things went well.
12Because Rehoboam humbled himself, the LORD's anger turned away from him, and he was not completely destroyed. And things also went well in Judah.
13So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam was one and forty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother’s name was Naamah an Ammonitess.
13So King Rehoboam made himself strong in Jerusalem and reigned. He was forty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel to put his name there. His mother's name was Naamah, an Ammonite.
14And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.
14He did evil, because he did not set his heart on seeking the LORD.
15Now the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, are they not written in the book of Shemaiah the prophet, and of Iddo the seer concerning genealogies? And there were wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually.
15The deeds of Rehoboam, from beginning to end, are written in the records of Shemaiah the prophet and of Iddo the seer, which follow the family lines. And there was constant war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam.
16And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David: and Abijah his son reigned in his stead.
16Rehoboam died and was buried in the city of David, and his son Abijah became king in his place.
13Abijah's War Against Jeroboam
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam began Abijah to reign over Judah.
1In the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam, Abijah became king over Judah.
2He reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Michaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.
2He reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Michaiah, the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.
3And Abijah set the battle in array with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: Jeroboam also set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, being mighty men of valour.
3Abijah went into battle with an army of brave soldiers, four hundred thousand chosen men. Jeroboam lined up against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, mighty warriors.
4And Abijah stood up upon mount Zemaraim, which is in mount Ephraim, and said, Hear me, thou Jeroboam, and all Israel;
4Abijah stood on Mount Zemaraim, in the hill country of Ephraim, and said, "Listen to me, Jeroboam and all Israel!
5Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt?
5Don't you know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingship over Israel to David forever, to him and his sons, by a covenant of salt?
6Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, is risen up, and hath rebelled against his lord.
6Yet Jeroboam son of Nebat, a servant of Solomon son of David, rose up and rebelled against his master.
7And there are gathered unto him vain men, the children of Belial, and have strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and tenderhearted, and could not withstand them.
7Worthless men, good-for-nothings, gathered around him and stood against Rehoboam son of Solomon when Rehoboam was young and inexperienced and could not stand up to them.
8And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of the LORD in the hand of the sons of David; and ye be a great multitude, and there are with you golden calves, which Jeroboam made you for gods.
8And now you think you can stand against the kingdom of the LORD, which is in the hands of David's sons. You are a huge crowd, and you have with you the golden calves that Jeroboam made to be your gods.
9Have ye not cast out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and have made you priests after the manner of the nations of other lands? so that whosoever cometh to consecrate himself with a young bullock and seven rams, the same may be a priest of them that are no gods.
9Haven't you driven out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and made your own priests the way the nations of other lands do? Anyone who comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams can become a priest of what are not gods at all.
10But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken him; and the priests, which minister unto the LORD, are the sons of Aaron, and the Levites wait upon their business:
10But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not abandoned him. The priests who serve the LORD are the sons of Aaron, and the Levites help them in their work.
11And they burn unto the LORD every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: the shewbread also set they in order upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening: for we keep the charge of the LORD our God; but ye have forsaken him.
11Every morning and every evening they burn burnt offerings and sweet incense to the LORD. They set out the bread of the Presence on the pure table, and the gold lampstand with its lamps is lit every evening. We keep the charge the LORD our God gave us, but you have abandoned him.
12And, behold, God himself is with us for our captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper.
12Look, God himself is with us as our leader, and his priests with their trumpets are ready to sound the battle cry against you. People of Israel, do not fight against the LORD God of your fathers, for you will not succeed."
13But Jeroboam caused an ambushment to come about behind them: so they were before Judah, and the ambushment was behind them.
13But Jeroboam had sent troops around to ambush them from behind, so his army was in front of Judah and the ambush was behind them.
14And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle was before and behind: and they cried unto the LORD, and the priests sounded with the trumpets.
14When Judah looked around, they saw the battle was both in front and behind. They cried out to the LORD, and the priests blew the trumpets.
15Then the men of Judah gave a shout: and as the men of Judah shouted, it came to pass, that God smote Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.
15Then the men of Judah gave a shout, and as they shouted, God struck down Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.
16And the children of Israel fled before Judah: and God delivered them into their hand.
16The people of Israel fled from Judah, and God handed them over to them.
17And Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter: so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men.
17Abijah and his people struck them down with a great slaughter; five hundred thousand chosen men of Israel fell dead.
18Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time, and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon the LORD God of their fathers.
18So the people of Israel were humbled at that time, and the people of Judah won, because they relied on the LORD God of their fathers.
19And Abijah pursued after Jeroboam, and took cities from him, Bethel with the towns thereof, and Jeshanah with the towns thereof, and Ephrain with the towns thereof.
19Abijah chased Jeroboam and took cities from him: Bethel with its villages, Jeshanah with its villages, and Ephron with its villages.
20Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again in the days of Abijah: and the LORD struck him, and he died.
20Jeroboam never regained his strength while Abijah lived, and the LORD struck him down and he died.
21But Abijah waxed mighty, and married fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters.
21But Abijah grew powerful. He married fourteen wives and fathered twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters.
22And the rest of the acts of Abijah, and his ways, and his sayings, are written in the story of the prophet Iddo.
22The rest of what Abijah did, his ways and his words, are written in the account of the prophet Iddo.
14Asa's Reforms and the Ethiopian Invasion
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead. In his days the land was quiet ten years.
1Abijah died and was buried in the city of David, and his son Asa became king in his place. In his days the land was at peace for ten years.
2And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God:
2Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God.
3For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves:
3He removed the altars of foreign gods and the high places, smashed the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles.
4And commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment.
4He commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers and to keep the law and the commandment.
5Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him.
5He removed the high places and the incense altars from all the cities of Judah, and the kingdom was at peace under him.
6And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the LORD had given him rest.
6He built fortified cities in Judah, because the land was at rest. He had no war in those years, for the LORD had given him rest.
7Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.
7So he said to Judah, "Let's build these cities and surround them with walls, towers, gates, and bars, while the land is still ours. Because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought him and he has given us rest on every side." So they built and prospered.
8And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valour.
8Asa had an army of three hundred thousand men from Judah who carried large shields and spears, and two hundred and eighty thousand from Benjamin who carried small shields and drew bows. All of them were brave warriors.
9And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah.
9Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with an army of a million men and three hundred chariots, and he came as far as Mareshah.
10Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.
10Asa went out to meet him, and they lined up for battle in the valley of Zephathah near Mareshah.
11And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.
11Asa cried out to the LORD his God, "LORD, it is nothing for you to help, whether with many or with those who have no strength. Help us, O LORD our God, for we are leaning on you, and in your name we have come against this huge army. O LORD, you are our God; do not let mere man win against you."
12So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled.
12So the LORD struck down the Ethiopians before Asa and Judah, and the Ethiopians fled.
13And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar: and the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before the LORD, and before his host; and they carried away very much spoil.
13Asa and the people with him chased them as far as Gerar. So many Ethiopians fell that they could not recover, for they were crushed before the LORD and his army. And the people of Judah carried off a great amount of plunder.
14And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for the fear of the LORD came upon them: and they spoiled all the cities; for there was exceeding much spoil in them.
14They attacked all the towns around Gerar, because the fear of the LORD had fallen on them, and they plundered all the towns, for there was a great deal of plunder in them.
15They smote also the tents of cattle, and carried away sheep and camels in abundance, and returned to Jerusalem.
15They also attacked the camps of the herdsmen and carried off large numbers of sheep and camels. Then they returned to Jerusalem.
15Azariah's Word and Asa's Covenant
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded:
1The Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded.
2And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.
2He went out to meet Asa and said to him, "Listen to me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will let you find him; but if you abandon him, he will abandon you.
3Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law.
3For a long time now Israel has been without the true God, without a priest to teach them, and without the law.
4But when they in their trouble did turn unto the LORD God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them.
4But when they turned to the LORD God of Israel in their trouble and sought him, he let them find him.
5And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries.
5In those days no one was safe going out or coming in, because great turmoil was upon everyone living in the lands.
6And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city: for God did vex them with all adversity.
6Nation was crushed by nation and city by city, for God troubled them with every kind of hardship.
7Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.
7So be strong, and do not let your hands grow weak, for your work will be rewarded."
8And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the LORD, that was before the porch of the LORD.
8When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage. He removed the detestable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the towns he had captured in the hill country of Ephraim, and he repaired the altar of the LORD that stood in front of the LORD's porch.
9And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.
9Then he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, along with the people from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who were living among them, for great numbers had come over to him from Israel when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.
10So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa.
10They assembled at Jerusalem in the third month of the fifteenth year of Asa's reign.
11And they offered unto the LORD the same time, of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep.
11At that time they sacrificed to the LORD from the plunder they had brought back: seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep.
12And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;
12They entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and all their soul,
13That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.
13and agreed that anyone who would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, man or woman.
14And they sware unto the LORD with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with cornets.
14They swore their oath to the LORD with a loud voice, with shouting, and with trumpets and horns.
15And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: and the LORD gave them rest round about.
15All Judah rejoiced over the oath, because they had sworn it with their whole heart and had sought him with all their longing, and he let them find him. And the LORD gave them rest on every side.
16And also concerning Maachah the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove: and Asa cut down her idol, and stamped it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron.
16King Asa also removed his mother Maachah from her position as queen mother, because she had made an idol in a grove. Asa cut down her idol, crushed it, and burned it at the brook Kidron.
17But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.
17The high places were not removed from Israel, yet Asa's heart was fully devoted all his life.
18And he brought into the house of God the things that his father had dedicated, and that he himself had dedicated, silver, and gold, and vessels.
18He brought into the house of God the things his father had dedicated and the things he himself had dedicated: silver, gold, and vessels.
19And there was no more war unto the five and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa.
19And there was no more war until the thirty-fifth year of Asa's reign.
16Asa's Treaty with Syria and His Last Years
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.
1In the thirty-sixth year of Asa's reign, Baasha king of Israel marched against Judah and fortified Ramah, so that no one could go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.
2Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king’s house, and sent to Benhadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,
2Then Asa took silver and gold from the treasuries of the house of the LORD and of the king's palace and sent them to Benhadad king of Syria, who lived in Damascus, with this message:
3There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.
3"There is a treaty between me and you, as there was between my father and your father. See, I have sent you silver and gold. Go and break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me."
4And Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelmaim, and all the store cities of Naphtali.
4Benhadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel. They struck Ijon, Dan, Abelmaim, and all the storehouse cities of Naphtali.
5And it came to pass, when Baasha heard it, that he left off building of Ramah, and let his work cease.
5When Baasha heard about it, he stopped fortifying Ramah and abandoned the work.
6Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha was building; and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah.
6Then King Asa took all Judah, and they carried off the stones and timber Baasha had been using to build Ramah, and with them he built up Geba and Mizpah.
7And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.
7At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him, "Because you leaned on the king of Syria and not on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped out of your hand.
8Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand.
8Weren't the Ethiopians and the Libyans a huge army, with a great many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you leaned on the LORD, he handed them over to you.
9For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
9For the eyes of the LORD range back and forth across the whole earth to show his strength on behalf of those whose hearts are fully his. You have acted foolishly in this, so from now on you will have wars."
10Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.
10Asa was furious with the seer and put him in prison, for he was enraged with him over this. And at the same time Asa treated some of the people harshly.
11And, behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
11The acts of Asa, from first to last, are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
12And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.
12In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa developed a disease in his feet, and it grew very severe; yet even in his illness he did not seek the LORD, but only the physicians.
13And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.
13Asa rested with his fathers and died in the forty-first year of his reign.
14And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries’ art: and they made a very great burning for him.
14They buried him in the tomb he had cut out for himself in the city of David. They laid him on a bed filled with sweet-smelling spices of every kind, blended by the perfumer's skill, and they made a very great fire in his honor.
17Jehoshaphat Sends Teachers Through Judah
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel.
1His son Jehoshaphat became king in his place and made himself strong against Israel.
2And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken.
2He stationed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and set up garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured.
3And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;
3The LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the early ways of his ancestor David and did not seek the Baals,
4But sought to the Lord God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.
4but sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments, not following the practices of Israel.
5Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.
5So the LORD made the kingdom firm in his hand. All Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, and he had riches and honor in great measure.
6And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.
6His heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD, and he even removed the high places and the groves from Judah.
7Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.
7In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Benhail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethaneel, and Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah.
8And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests.
8With them he sent the Levites Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, and with them the priests Elishama and Jehoram.
9And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people.
9They taught in Judah, carrying the book of the law of the LORD with them. They went around through all the cities of Judah and taught the people.
10And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.
10The fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands around Judah, so that they did not make war on Jehoshaphat.
11Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats.
11Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute, and the Arabians brought him flocks: seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats.
12And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store.
12Jehoshaphat grew greater and greater, and he built fortresses and storehouse cities in Judah.
13And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem.
13He carried on much work in the cities of Judah, and he had fighting men, brave warriors, in Jerusalem.
14And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand.
14These are their numbers by their family lines. From Judah, the commanders of thousands: Adnah the chief, with three hundred thousand brave warriors;
15And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand.
15next to him Jehohanan the commander, with two hundred eighty thousand;
16And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the LORD; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour.
16next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, who volunteered himself to the LORD, with two hundred thousand brave warriors.
17And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand.
17From Benjamin: Eliada, a brave warrior, with two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield;
18And next him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war.
18next to him Jehozabad, with one hundred eighty thousand men equipped for war.
19These waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.
19These served the king, in addition to those the king had stationed in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.
18Micaiah Warns Ahab at Ramoth-gilead
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab.
1Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in great measure, and he allied himself with Ahab by marriage.
2And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramothgilead.
2Some years later he went down to visit Ahab in Samaria. Ahab slaughtered great numbers of sheep and oxen for him and for the people with him, and urged him to go up with him against Ramothgilead.
3And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramothgilead? And he answered him, I am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be with thee in the war.
3Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, "Will you go with me to Ramothgilead?" He answered, "I am as you are, and my people are as your people; we will be with you in the war."
4And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.
4But Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "Please ask first for the word of the LORD today."
5Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver it into the king’s hand.
5So the king of Israel gathered the prophets, four hundred men, and asked them, "Shall we go to war against Ramothgilead, or shall I hold back?" They said, "Go up, for God will hand it over to the king."
6But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him?
6But Jehoshaphat asked, "Isn't there still a prophet of the LORD here whom we could ask?"
7And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.
7The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is still one man through whom we could ask the LORD, but I hate him, because he never prophesies anything good about me, only bad. He is Micaiah the son of Imla." Jehoshaphat said, "The king shouldn't say such a thing."
8And the king of Israel called for one of his officers, and said, Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla.
8So the king of Israel called one of his officers and said, "Bring Micaiah the son of Imla, quickly."
9And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah sat either of them on his throne, clothed in their robes, and they sat in a void place at the entering in of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them.
9The king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah were each sitting on his throne, dressed in their royal robes, at an open place by the entrance to the gate of Samaria, and all the prophets were prophesying in front of them.
10And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made him horns of iron, and said, Thus saith the LORD, With these thou shalt push Syria until they be consumed.
10Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made himself iron horns and said, "This is what the LORD says: With these you will gore the Syrians until they are wiped out."
11And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king.
11All the prophets said the same thing: "Go up to Ramothgilead and succeed, for the LORD will hand it over to the king."
12And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one assent; let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good.
12The messenger who went to call Micaiah said to him, "Look, the prophets are all agreed in promising the king good news. Please let your word match theirs, and speak something good."
13And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak.
13But Micaiah said, "As surely as the LORD lives, whatever my God says, that is what I will speak."
14And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand.
14When he came to the king, the king asked him, "Micaiah, shall we go to war against Ramothgilead, or shall I hold back?" He answered, "Go up and succeed; they will be handed over to you."
15And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the LORD?
15The king said to him, "How many times must I make you swear to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?"
16Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace.
16Then he said, "I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains like sheep without a shepherd, and the LORD said, 'These people have no master; let each of them go home in peace.'"
17And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil?
17The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Didn't I tell you he would prophesy nothing good about me, only bad?"
18Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the LORD; I saw the LORD sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left.
18Micaiah went on, "So hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, with all the host of heaven standing at his right hand and his left.
19And the LORD said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner.
19And the LORD said, 'Who will lure Ahab king of Israel into going up and falling at Ramothgilead?' One suggested one thing and another suggested another.
20Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will entice him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith?
20Then a spirit came forward, stood before the LORD, and said, 'I will lure him.' The LORD asked him, 'How?'
21And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the Lord said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do even so.
21He said, 'I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.' The Lord said, 'You will lure him, and you will succeed. Go out and do it.'
22Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil against thee.
22So now, look: the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouths of these prophets of yours, and the LORD has decreed disaster for you."
23Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?
23Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah stepped up and struck Micaiah on the cheek, saying, "Which way did the Spirit of the LORD go when he left me to speak to you?"
24And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see on that day when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.
24Micaiah said, "You will find out on the day you go into an inner room to hide yourself."
25Then the king of Israel said, Take ye Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king’s son;
25Then the king of Israel said, "Take Micaiah and send him back to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king's son,
26And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace.
26and say, 'This is what the king says: Put this fellow in prison and feed him nothing but the bread and water of hardship until I return safely.'"
27And Micaiah said, If thou certainly return in peace, then hath not the LORD spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, all ye people.
27Micaiah said, "If you ever do return safely, the LORD has not spoken through me." And he added, "Listen, all you people!"
28So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramothgilead.
28So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up to Ramothgilead.
29And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and will go to the battle; but put thou on thy robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went to the battle.
29The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "I will disguise myself and go into the battle, but you wear your royal robes." So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into the battle.
30Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots that were with him, saying, Fight ye not with small or great, save only with the king of Israel.
30Now the king of Syria had ordered his chariot commanders, "Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king of Israel."
31And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.
31When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, "That is the king of Israel!" So they surrounded him to attack, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; God drew them away from him.
32For it came to pass, that, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back again from pursuing him.
32When the chariot commanders realized he was not the king of Israel, they turned back from chasing him.
33And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: therefore he said to his chariot man, Turn thine hand, that thou mayest carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.
33But a certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. So he told his chariot driver, "Turn around and get me out of the fighting, for I am wounded."
34And the battle increased that day: howbeit the king of Israel stayed himself up in his chariot against the Syrians until the even: and about the time of the sun going down he died.
34The battle raged all that day, but the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot facing the Syrians until evening, and around sunset he died.
19Jehu's Rebuke and Judges for Judah
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.
1Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem.
2And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.
2Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the LORD's wrath is upon you.
3Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.
3Still, there is some good in you, for you have removed the groves from the land and have set your heart on seeking God."
4And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers.
4Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, but he went out again among the people, from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the LORD God of their fathers.
5And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city,
5He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah, city by city,
6And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment.
6and told the judges, "Be careful what you do, for you are not judging for people but for the LORD, and he is with you when you give judgment.
7Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.
7So now let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful in what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice, no favoritism, and no taking of bribes."
8Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem.
8In Jerusalem, too, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites, priests, and heads of Israel's families to administer the LORD's law and to settle disputes, once they had returned to Jerusalem.
9And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.
9He charged them, "This is how you must act: in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a whole heart.
10And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the LORD, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass.
10Whatever case comes to you from your fellow Israelites living in their cities, whether it concerns bloodshed or questions of law, commandments, statutes, or judgments, you must warn them not to sin against the LORD, so that wrath does not fall on you and your brothers. Do this, and you will not be guilty.
11And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king’s matters: also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and the LORD shall be with the good.
11And see, Amariah the chief priest is over you in every matter concerning the LORD, and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the leader of the house of Judah, in every matter concerning the king. The Levites will serve as officers before you. Act with courage, and may the LORD be with those who do right."
20The Battle Judah Did Not Fight
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.
1After this the Moabites and the Ammonites, together with some others besides the Ammonites, came to make war on Jehoshaphat.
2Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar, which is Engedi.
2Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A huge army is coming against you from beyond the sea, from the direction of Syria. They are already at Hazazontamar, that is, Engedi."
3And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
3Jehoshaphat was afraid, and he set himself to seek the LORD and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
4And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.
4The people of Judah gathered to ask the LORD for help; from every city in Judah they came to seek the LORD.
5And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court,
5Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD in front of the new courtyard,
6And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?
6and said, "O LORD God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? Do you not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in your hand, and no one can stand against you.
7Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?
7Are you not our God, who drove out the people living in this land ahead of your people Israel and gave it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?
8And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying,
8They have lived in it and have built you a sanctuary in it for your name, saying,
9If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.
9'If disaster comes upon us, whether the sword, judgment, plague, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you, for your name is in this house, and we will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear and save us.'
10And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not;
10And now, look at the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, whose land you would not let Israel invade when they came out of Egypt; Israel turned away from them and did not destroy them.
11Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit.
11See how they repay us: they are coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as our inheritance.
12O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.
12O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no strength against this huge army coming against us, and we do not know what to do; but our eyes are on you."
13And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.
13All Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.
14Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation;
14Then, in the middle of the assembly, the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph.
15And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
15He said, "Listen, all Judah, you people of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat. This is what the LORD says to you: Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this huge army, for the battle is not yours but God's.
16To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.
16Tomorrow go down against them. See, they will be coming up by the cliff of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley, in front of the wilderness of Jeruel.
17Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.
17You will not need to fight in this battle. Take your positions, stand still, and watch the LORD save you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the LORD will be with you."
18And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.
18Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the people of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD and worshipped him.
19And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high.
19Then the Levites from the Kohathites and the Korhites stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a very loud voice.
20And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.
20They rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Hear me, Judah and people of Jerusalem: Believe in the LORD your God, and you will stand firm; believe his prophets, and you will succeed."
21And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.
21After consulting with the people, he appointed singers to the LORD, to praise the beauty of holiness as they marched out ahead of the army, singing, "Praise the LORD, for his mercy endures forever."
22And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
22As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated.
23For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.
23The men of Ammon and Moab turned on the people of Mount Seir to slaughter and destroy them completely, and when they had finished off the people of Seir, they helped destroy one another.
24And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.
24When Judah came to the watchtower in the wilderness and looked toward the great army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped.
25And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.
25When Jehoshaphat and his people came to gather the plunder, they found among the bodies a great quantity of goods and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry. It took them three days to collect the plunder, there was so much.
26And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the LORD: therefore the name of the same place was called, The valley of Berachah, unto this day.
26On the fourth day they gathered in the valley of Berachah, where they blessed the LORD, and so the place is called the valley of Berachah to this day.
27Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies.
27Then every man of Judah and Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat at their head, went back to Jerusalem with joy, for the LORD had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies.
28And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the LORD.
28They came to Jerusalem with lyres, harps, and trumpets and went to the house of the LORD.
29And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel.
29The fear of God came on all the kingdoms of those lands when they heard that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel.
30So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about.
30So Jehoshaphat's kingdom was at peace, for his God gave him rest on every side.
31And Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah: he was thirty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.
31Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.
32And he walked in the way of Asa his father, and departed not from it, doing that which was right in the sight of the LORD.
32He walked in the way of his father Asa and did not turn from it, doing what was right in the sight of the LORD.
33Howbeit the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers.
33Yet the high places were not removed, for the people had still not set their hearts on the God of their fathers.
34Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, who is mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel.
34The rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, from first to last, are written in the record of Jehu the son of Hanani, which is included in the book of the kings of Israel.
35And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who did very wickedly:
35Later, Jehoshaphat king of Judah made an alliance with Ahaziah king of Israel, who acted very wickedly.
36And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Eziongaber.
36He joined him in building ships to sail to Tarshish, and they built the ships at Eziongaber.
37Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish.
37Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, "Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the LORD has wrecked what you have built." And the ships were wrecked, so they could not sail to Tarshish.
21Jehoram Kills His Brothers
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Now Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.
1Jehoshaphat rested with his fathers and was buried with them in the city of David, and his son Jehoram became king in his place.
2And he had brethren the sons of Jehoshaphat, Azariah, and Jehiel, and Zechariah, and Azariah, and Michael, and Shephatiah: all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel.
2He had brothers, the sons of Jehoshaphat: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariah, Michael, and Shephatiah. All these were sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel.
3And their father gave them great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Judah: but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he was the firstborn.
3Their father had given them generous gifts of silver, gold, and valuable things, along with fortified cities in Judah, but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram because he was the firstborn.
4Now when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself, and slew all his brethren with the sword, and divers also of the princes of Israel.
4When Jehoram had taken firm hold of his father's kingdom, he made himself strong and killed all his brothers with the sword, along with some of the leaders of Israel.
5Jehoram was thirty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
5Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
6And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD.
6He walked in the way of the kings of Israel, just as the house of Ahab had done, for he had married Ahab's daughter, and he did what was evil in the eyes of the LORD.
7Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever.
7Yet the LORD was not willing to destroy the house of David, because of the covenant he had made with David and because he had promised to keep a lamp burning for him and his sons forever.
8In his days the Edomites revolted from under the dominion of Judah, and made themselves a king.
8In his days Edom rebelled against Judah's rule and set up a king of their own.
9Then Jehoram went forth with his princes, and all his chariots with him: and he rose up by night, and smote the Edomites which compassed him in, and the captains of the chariots.
9So Jehoram went out with his officers and all his chariots. He rose up by night and struck down the Edomites who had surrounded him, together with the chariot commanders.
10So the Edomites revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. The same time also did Libnah revolt from under his hand; because he had forsaken the LORD God of his fathers.
10So Edom has been in rebellion against Judah's rule to this day. Libnah rebelled at the same time, because Jehoram had abandoned the LORD God of his fathers.
11Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah thereto.
11He also built high places in the hills of Judah, led the people of Jerusalem into unfaithfulness, and forced Judah to follow.
12And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah,
12A letter came to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, "This is what the LORD God of your father David says: Because you have not walked in the ways of your father Jehoshaphat or in the ways of Asa king of Judah,
13But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father’s house, which were better than thyself:
13but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel and have led Judah and the people of Jerusalem into unfaithfulness, just like the unfaithfulness of the house of Ahab, and have even killed your brothers, your own father's family, who were better than you,
14Behold, with a great plague will the LORD smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods:
14the LORD is about to strike your people, your children, your wives, and everything you own with a terrible plague.
15And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day.
15And you yourself will suffer a severe illness, a disease of the bowels, until day by day the sickness makes your bowels come out."
16Moreover the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that were near the Ethiopians:
16Then the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the hostility of the Philistines and of the Arabians who live near the Ethiopians.
17And they came up into Judah, and brake into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king’s house, and his sons also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.
17They marched into Judah, broke into it, and carried off all the goods found in the king's palace, along with his sons and his wives, so that not a son was left to him except Jehoahaz, the youngest.
18And after all this the LORD smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease.
18After all this, the LORD struck him with an incurable disease of the bowels.
19And it came to pass, that in process of time, after the end of two years, his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness: so he died of sore diseases. And his people made no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers.
19In the course of time, at the end of two years, his bowels came out because of his illness, and he died in terrible pain. His people made no fire in his honor as they had done for his fathers.
20Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years, and departed without being desired. Howbeit they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchres of the kings.
20He was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. He passed away to no one's regret. They buried him in the city of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.
22Ahaziah and Athaliah's Purge
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1And the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest son king in his stead: for the band of men that came with the Arabians to the camp had slain all the eldest. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned.
1The people of Jerusalem made Ahaziah, his youngest son, king in his place, because the raiding band that had come with the Arabians into the camp had killed all the older sons. So Ahaziah son of Jehoram, king of Judah, began to reign.
2Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Athaliah the daughter of Omri.
2Ahaziah was forty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Athaliah, the granddaughter of Omri.
3He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab: for his mother was his counsellor to do wickedly.
3He too walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother was his adviser in doing wrong.
4Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the LORD like the house of Ahab: for they were his counsellors after the death of his father to his destruction.
4So he did evil in the LORD's sight, just like the house of Ahab, for after his father's death they were his advisers, and it led to his ruin.
5He walked also after their counsel, and went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel to war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramothgilead: and the Syrians smote Joram.
5Following their advice, he went with Jehoram son of Ahab, king of Israel, to fight against Hazael king of Syria at Ramoth-gilead, and the Syrians wounded Joram.
6And he returned to be healed in Jezreel because of the wounds which were given him at Ramah, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria. And Azariah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab at Jezreel, because he was sick.
6He went back to Jezreel to recover from the wounds he had received at Ramah when he fought Hazael king of Syria. And Azariah son of Jehoram, king of Judah, went down to Jezreel to visit Jehoram son of Ahab, because he was ill.
7And the destruction of Ahaziah was of God by coming to Joram: for when he was come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab.
7God brought about Ahaziah's downfall through this visit to Joram. For when he arrived, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to wipe out the house of Ahab.
8And it came to pass, that, when Jehu was executing judgment upon the house of Ahab, and found the princes of Judah, and the sons of the brethren of Ahaziah, that ministered to Ahaziah, he slew them.
8While Jehu was carrying out judgment on the house of Ahab, he came across the leaders of Judah and the sons of Ahaziah's brothers, who served Ahaziah, and he killed them.
9And he sought Ahaziah: and they caught him, (for he was hid in Samaria,) and brought him to Jehu: and when they had slain him, they buried him: Because, said they, he is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the LORD with all his heart. So the house of Ahaziah had no power to keep still the kingdom.
9Then he searched for Ahaziah, and his men caught him hiding in Samaria and brought him to Jehu. They put him to death, but they gave him a burial, saying, "He is the grandson of Jehoshaphat, who sought the LORD with all his heart." So the house of Ahaziah had no one strong enough to hold the kingdom.
10But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah.
10When Athaliah, Ahaziah's mother, saw that her son was dead, she set out to destroy the whole royal family of the house of Judah.
11But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king’s sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest, (for she was the sister of Ahaziah,) hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not.
11But Jehoshabeath, the king's daughter, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the king's sons who were being killed, and she put him and his nurse in a bedroom. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of King Jehoram and wife of Jehoiada the priest (for she was Ahaziah's sister), hid him from Athaliah so that she could not kill him.
12And he was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land.
12He stayed hidden with them in the house of God for six years, while Athaliah ruled the land.
23Jehoiada Crowns the Boy King
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1And in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds, Azariah the son of Jeroham, and Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, and Azariah the son of Obed, and Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri, into covenant with him.
1In the seventh year Jehoiada took courage and brought the commanders of hundreds into a covenant with him: Azariah son of Jeroham, Ishmael son of Jehohanan, Azariah son of Obed, Maaseiah son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat son of Zichri.
2And they went about in Judah, and gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Judah, and the chief of the fathers of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem.
2They traveled through Judah and gathered the Levites from all the towns of Judah, along with the heads of the families of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem.
3And all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said unto them, Behold, the king’s son shall reign, as the LORD hath said of the sons of David.
3The whole assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. Jehoiada said to them, "Look, the king's son shall reign, just as the LORD promised about the sons of David.
4This is the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you entering on the sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, shall be porters of the doors;
4"This is what you are to do: a third of you priests and Levites who come on duty on the Sabbath will guard the doors,
5And 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 the LORD.
5"a third will be at the king's palace, and a third at the Foundation Gate. All the people will be in the courts of the house of the LORD.
6But let none come into the house of the LORD, save the priests, and they that minister of the Levites; they shall go in, for they are holy: but all the people shall keep the watch of the LORD.
6"No one is to enter the house of the LORD except the priests and the Levites who serve; they may go in, because they are holy. But all the people are to keep the LORD's watch.
7And the Levites shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand; and whosoever else cometh into the house, he shall be put to death: but be ye with the king when he cometh in, and when he goeth out.
7"The Levites are to surround the king, each man with his weapons in his hand, and anyone else who enters the house is to be put to death. Stay with the king wherever he goes in and out."
8So the Levites and all Judah did according to all things that Jehoiada the priest had commanded, and took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that were to go out on the sabbath: for Jehoiada the priest dismissed not the courses.
8So the Levites and all Judah did everything Jehoiada the priest had commanded. Each one took his men, those coming on duty on the Sabbath together with those going off duty, for Jehoiada the priest did not release the divisions.
9Moreover Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds spears, and bucklers, and shields, that had been king David’s, which were in the house of God.
9Jehoiada the priest also gave the commanders of hundreds the spears and the large and small shields that had belonged to King David, which were kept in the house of God.
10And he set all the people, every man having his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the temple to the left side of the temple, along by the altar and the temple, by the king round about.
10He stationed all the people, each with his weapon in hand, from the south side of the temple to the north side, around the altar and the temple, surrounding the king.
11Then they brought out the king’s son, and put upon him the crown, and gave him the testimony, and made him king. And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and said, God save the king.
11Then they brought out the king's son, placed the crown on him, handed him the covenant document, and made him king. Jehoiada and his sons anointed him and shouted, "Long live the king!"
12Now when Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of the LORD:
12When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and cheering the king, she went to the people at the house of the LORD.
13And she looked, and, behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entering in, and the princes and the trumpets by the king: and all the people of the land rejoiced, and sounded with trumpets, also the singers with instruments of musick, and such as taught to sing praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason, Treason.
13She looked, and there was the king standing by his pillar at the entrance, with the officers and the trumpeters beside him. All the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets, and the singers with their instruments were leading the praise. Athaliah tore her clothes and cried, "Treason! Treason!"
14Then Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds that were set over the host, and said unto them, Have her forth of the ranges: and whoso followeth her, let him be slain with the sword. For the priest said, Slay her not in the house of the LORD.
14Jehoiada the priest sent out the commanders of hundreds who were in charge of the army and told them, "Bring her out between the ranks, and put to the sword anyone who follows her." For the priest had said, "Do not kill her in the house of the LORD."
15So they laid hands on her; and when she was come to the entering of the horse gate by the king’s house, they slew her there.
15So they seized her, and when she reached the entrance of the Horse Gate by the king's palace, they killed her there.
16And Jehoiada made a covenant between him, and between all the people, and between the king, that they should be the LORD’s people.
16Then Jehoiada made a covenant between himself, all the people, and the king, that they would be the LORD's people.
17Then all the people went to the house of Baal, and brake it down, and brake his altars and his images in pieces, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.
17All the people went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed his altars and his images, and they killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars.
18Also Jehoiada appointed the offices of the house of the LORD by the hand of the priests the Levites, whom David had distributed in the house of the LORD, to offer the burnt offerings of the LORD, as it is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, as it was ordained by David.
18Jehoiada put the oversight of the house of the LORD in the hands of the Levitical priests, whom David had assigned to the house of the LORD to offer the LORD's burnt offerings as it is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and singing, as David had directed.
19And he set the porters at the gates of the house of the LORD, that none which was unclean in any thing should enter in.
19He stationed gatekeepers at the gates of the house of the LORD so that no one who was unclean in any way could enter.
20And he took the captains of hundreds, and the nobles, and the governors of the people, and all the people of the land, and brought down the king from the house of the LORD: and they came through the high gate into the king’s house, and set the king upon the throne of the kingdom.
20Then he took the commanders of hundreds, the nobles, the rulers of the people, and all the people of the land, and brought the king down from the house of the LORD. They came through the Upper Gate into the king's palace and seated the king on the throne of the kingdom.
21And all the people of the land rejoiced: and the city was quiet, after that they had slain Athaliah with the sword.
21All the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was calm, for Athaliah had been put to death by the sword.
24Joash Repairs the Temple and Kills Zechariah
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Joash was seven years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Zibiah of Beersheba.
1Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zibiah of Beersheba.
2And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest.
2Joash did what was right in the LORD's sight as long as Jehoiada the priest was alive.
3And Jehoiada took for him two wives; and he begat sons and daughters.
3Jehoiada chose two wives for him, and he had sons and daughters.
4And it came to pass after this, that Joash was minded to repair the house of the LORD.
4Some time later, Joash decided to restore the house of the LORD.
5And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, Go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that ye hasten the matter. Howbeit the Levites hastened it not.
5He gathered the priests and the Levites and told them, "Go out to the towns of Judah and collect money from all Israel to repair the house of your God year by year, and do it quickly." But the Levites did not hurry.
6And the king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said unto him, Why hast thou not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem the collection, according to the commandment of Moses the servant of the LORD, and of the congregation of Israel, for the tabernacle of witness?
6So the king called for Jehoiada the chief priest and asked him, "Why haven't you required the Levites to bring in from Judah and Jerusalem the tax that Moses the servant of the LORD and the assembly of Israel set for the tent of the testimony?"
7For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God; and also all the dedicated things of the house of the LORD did they bestow upon Baalim.
7For the sons of that wicked woman Athaliah had broken into the house of God and had even used the sacred things of the house of the LORD for the Baals.
8And at the king’s commandment they made a chest, and set it without at the gate of the house of the LORD.
8At the king's command they made a chest and placed it outside at the gate of the house of the LORD.
9And they made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, to bring in to the LORD the collection that Moses the servant of God laid upon Israel in the wilderness.
9They sent out a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem to bring the LORD the tax that Moses the servant of God had laid on Israel in the wilderness.
10And all the princes and all the people rejoiced, and brought in, and cast into the chest, until they had made an end.
10All the officials and all the people gladly brought their money and dropped it into the chest until it was full.
11Now it came to pass, that at what time the chest was brought unto the king’s office by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money, the king’s scribe and the high priest’s officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to his place again. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance.
11Whenever the Levites carried the chest to the king's officials and they saw that there was a lot of money in it, the king's secretary and the chief priest's officer would come and empty the chest, then carry it back to its place. They did this day after day and collected a great deal of money.
12And the king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and hired masons and carpenters to repair the house of the LORD, and also such as wrought iron and brass to mend the house of the LORD.
12The king and Jehoiada gave it to those who carried out the work on the house of the LORD, and they hired stonemasons and carpenters to restore the house of the LORD, as well as workers in iron and bronze to repair it.
13So the workmen wrought, and the work was perfected by them, and they set the house of God in his state, and strengthened it.
13So the workmen labored, and the repairs went forward under their hands. They restored the house of God to its proper condition and made it strong.
14And when they had finished it, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, whereof were made vessels for the house of the LORD, even vessels to minister, and to offer withal, and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the LORD continually all the days of Jehoiada.
14When they had finished, they brought the money that was left to the king and Jehoiada, and it was made into articles for the house of the LORD: articles for the service and for the offerings, dishes, and vessels of gold and silver. Burnt offerings were presented in the house of the LORD regularly all the days of Jehoiada.
15But Jehoiada waxed old, and was full of days when he died; an hundred and thirty years old was he when he died.
15But Jehoiada grew old and lived a full life, and he died at the age of one hundred thirty.
16And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, both toward God, and toward his house.
16They buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, both for God and for his house.
17Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them.
17After Jehoiada's death, the officials of Judah came and bowed before the king, and the king listened to them.
18And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass.
18They abandoned the house of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and worshiped Asherah poles and idols. Because of this guilt of theirs, wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem.
19Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the LORD; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.
19Still, the LORD sent prophets to them to bring them back to himself, and the prophets warned them, but they would not listen.
20And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you.
20Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood above the people and said to them, "This is what God says: Why do you break the LORD's commands so that you cannot succeed? Because you have abandoned the LORD, he has abandoned you."
21And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD.
21But they plotted against him, and at the king's command they stoned him to death in the courtyard of the house of the LORD.
22Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said, The LORD look upon it, and require it.
22So King Joash forgot the kindness that Zechariah's father Jehoiada had shown him, and killed his son. As he was dying, Zechariah said, "May the LORD see this and call you to account."
23And it came to pass at the end of the year, that the host of Syria 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 unto the king of Damascus.
23At the turn of the year, the army of Syria marched against Joash. They invaded Judah and Jerusalem, killed all the leaders of the people, and sent all their plunder to the king of Damascus.
24For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men, and the LORD delivered a very great host into their hand, because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers. So they executed judgment against Joash.
24Although the Syrian army had come with only a small force, the LORD handed a very large army over to them, because the people had abandoned the LORD, the God of their fathers. So judgment was carried out against Joash.
25And when they were departed from him, (for they left him in great diseases,) his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died: and they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings.
25When the Syrians withdrew, they left him badly wounded. Then his own servants plotted against him for the murder of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and they killed him in his bed. He died and was buried in the city of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.
26And these are they that conspired against him; Zabad the son of Shimeath an Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith a Moabitess.
26Those who plotted against him were Zabad, son of Shimeath an Ammonite woman, and Jehozabad, son of Shimrith a Moabite woman.
27Now concerning his sons, and the greatness of the burdens laid upon him, and the repairing of the house of God, behold, they are written in the story of the book of the kings. And Amaziah his son reigned in his stead.
27The account of his sons, the many prophecies spoken against him, and the restoring of the house of God are written in the commentary on the book of the kings. And his son Amaziah became king in his place.
25Amaziah, Edom, and the War with Israel
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Amaziah was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.
1Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.
2And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart.
2He did what was right in the LORD's sight, but not with a whole heart.
3Now it came to pass, when the kingdom was established to him, that he slew his servants that had killed the king his father.
3Once the kingdom was firmly in his control, he executed the servants who had murdered his father the king.
4But he slew not their children, but did as it is written in the law in the book of Moses, where the LORD 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.
4But he did not put their children to death. He did as it is written in the law, in the book of Moses, where the LORD commanded, "Fathers shall not die for their children, nor children die for their fathers; each person shall die for his own sin."
5Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together, and made them captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, according to the houses of their fathers, throughout all Judah and Benjamin: and he numbered them from twenty years old and above, and found them three hundred thousand choice men, able to go forth to war, that could handle spear and shield.
5Amaziah assembled Judah and organized them by families under commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds throughout all Judah and Benjamin. He counted those twenty years old and up and found three hundred thousand select men fit for war, able to handle spear and shield.
6He hired also an hundred thousand mighty men of valour out of Israel for an hundred talents of silver.
6He also hired one hundred thousand brave warriors from Israel for one hundred talents of silver.
7But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the LORD is not with Israel, to wit, with all the children of Ephraim.
7But a man of God came to him and said, "O king, do not let the army of Israel go with you, for the LORD is not with Israel, not with any of the people of Ephraim.
8But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for the battle: God shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and to cast down.
8"But if you go anyway and fight bravely in battle, God will make you fall before the enemy, for God has the power to help or to bring down."
9And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The LORD is able to give thee much more than this.
9Amaziah asked the man of God, "But what about the hundred talents I have paid the army of Israel?" The man of God answered, "The LORD is able to give you far more than that."
10Then Amaziah separated them, to wit, the army that was come to him out of Ephraim, to go home again: wherefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in great anger.
10So Amaziah dismissed the troops that had come to him from Ephraim and sent them home. They were furious with Judah and went home in a burning rage.
11And Amaziah strengthened himself, and led forth his people, and went to the valley of salt, and smote of the children of Seir ten thousand.
11Then Amaziah took courage, led his people out to the Valley of Salt, and killed ten thousand of the men of Seir.
12And other ten thousand left alive did the children of Judah carry away captive, and brought them unto the top of the rock, and cast them down from the top of the rock, that they all were broken in pieces.
12The men of Judah captured another ten thousand alive, took them to the top of a cliff, and threw them down from it, so that they were all dashed to pieces.
13But the soldiers of the army which Amaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battle, fell upon the cities of Judah, from Samaria even unto Bethhoron, and smote three thousand of them, and took much spoil.
13Meanwhile the troops Amaziah had sent back, refusing to let them go with him to battle, raided the towns of Judah from Samaria to Beth-horon. They killed three thousand people and carried off a great deal of plunder.
14Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense unto them.
14When Amaziah returned from slaughtering the Edomites, he brought back the gods of the men of Seir, set them up as his own gods, bowed down before them, and burned incense to them.
15Wherefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent unto him a prophet, which said unto him, Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand?
15So the LORD's anger burned against Amaziah, and he sent him a prophet, who said, "Why have you gone after the gods of a people who could not save their own people from your hand?"
16And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that the king said unto him, Art thou made of the king’s counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.
16While he was still speaking, the king said to him, "Did we make you a royal adviser? Stop! Why should you be struck down?" So the prophet stopped, but he said, "I know that God has decided to destroy you, because you have done this and have not listened to my advice."
17Then 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 see one another in the face.
17Then Amaziah king of Judah took counsel and sent this message to Joash son of Jehoahaz, son of Jehu, king of Israel: "Come, let us meet face to face."
18And 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 thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle.
18Joash king of Israel sent this reply to Amaziah king of Judah: "A thistle in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, saying, 'Give your daughter to my son as his wife.' But a wild animal in Lebanon came along and trampled the thistle.
19Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten the Edomites; and thine heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldest thou meddle to thine hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?
19"You say, 'Look, I have defeated the Edomites,' and your heart has grown proud and boastful. Now stay at home. Why stir up trouble and bring yourself down, you and Judah with you?"
20But Amaziah would not hear; for it came of God, that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they sought after the gods of Edom.
20But Amaziah would not listen, for this came from God, so that he might hand them over to their enemies because they had gone after the gods of Edom.
21So Joash the king of Israel went up; and they saw one another in the face, both he and Amaziah king of Judah, at Bethshemesh, which belongeth to Judah.
21So Joash king of Israel marched out, and he and Amaziah king of Judah faced each other in battle at Beth-shemesh in Judah.
22And Judah was put to the worse before Israel, and they fled every man to his tent.
22Judah was beaten by Israel, and every man fled to his home.
23And Joash the king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, at Bethshemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
23Joash king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah, son of Joash, son of Jehoahaz, at Beth-shemesh and brought him to Jerusalem. He tore down the wall of Jerusalem from the Ephraim Gate to the Corner Gate, a stretch of four hundred cubits.
24And he took all the gold and the silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of God with Obededom, and the treasures of the king’s house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria.
24He took all the gold and silver and all the articles found in the house of God in the care of Obed-edom, along with the treasures of the palace and some hostages, and returned to Samaria.
25And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years.
25Amaziah son of Joash, king of Judah, lived fifteen years after the death of Joash son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel.
26Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, first and last, behold, are they not written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel?
26The rest of Amaziah's deeds, from first to last, are they not written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel?
27Now after the time that Amaziah did turn away from following the LORD they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem; and he fled to Lachish: but they sent to Lachish after him, and slew him there.
27From the time Amaziah turned away from following the LORD, a conspiracy was formed against him in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish. But they sent men after him to Lachish and killed him there.
28And they brought him upon horses, and buried him with his fathers in the city of Judah.
28They brought his body back on horses and buried him with his fathers in the city of Judah.
26Uzziah's Strength and His Leprosy
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.
1Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah.
2He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.
2He rebuilt Eloth and restored it to Judah after the king had died and rested with his fathers.
3Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Jecoliah of Jerusalem.
3Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem.
4And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did.
4He did what was right in the LORD's sight, just as his father Amaziah had done.
5And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.
5He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who understood the visions of God, and as long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success.
6And he went forth and warred against the Philistines, and brake down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and built cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines.
6He went out and fought the Philistines and tore down the walls of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod, and he built towns near Ashdod and elsewhere among the Philistines.
7And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gurbaal, and the Mehunims.
7God helped him against the Philistines, against the Arabians who lived in Gur-baal, and against the Meunites.
8And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened himself exceedingly.
8The Ammonites brought tribute to Uzziah, and his fame spread as far as the border of Egypt, because he had become very powerful.
9Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them.
9Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate, at the Valley Gate, and at the angle of the wall, and he fortified them.
10Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry.
10He also built towers in the wilderness and dug many cisterns, for he had large herds both in the foothills and on the plain. He had farmers and vinedressers in the hills and in the fertile fields, for he loved the soil.
11Moreover Uzziah had an host of fighting men, that went out to war by bands, according to the number of their account by the hand of Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the ruler, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king’s captains.
11Uzziah had an army of trained soldiers who went to war in divisions, according to the count made by Jeiel the secretary and Maaseiah the officer, under the direction of Hananiah, one of the king's commanders.
12The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand and six hundred.
12The total number of family heads over the brave warriors was two thousand six hundred.
13And under their hand was an army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.
13Under their command was an army of three hundred seven thousand five hundred, who fought with great strength to help the king against the enemy.
14And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones.
14Uzziah supplied the whole army with shields, spears, helmets, coats of armor, bows, and slingstones.
15And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.
15In Jerusalem he made machines designed by skilled men to be placed on the towers and the corners of the walls to shoot arrows and hurl large stones. His fame spread far and wide, for he was wonderfully helped until he became strong.
16But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.
16But when he became strong, his heart grew proud, and it led to his ruin. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.
17And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, that were valiant men:
17Azariah the priest went in after him, with eighty brave priests of the LORD.
18And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the LORD God.
18They confronted King Uzziah and said to him, "It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD. That belongs to the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful, and you will receive no honor from the LORD God."
19Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, from beside the incense altar.
19Uzziah was furious. He had a censer in his hand ready to burn incense, and while he raged at the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead right in front of the priests in the house of the LORD, beside the altar of incense.
20And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the LORD had smitten him.
20When Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, they saw the leprosy on his forehead, and they hurried him out of there. He himself was also eager to leave, because the LORD had struck him.
21And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD: and Jotham his son was over the king’s house, judging the people of the land.
21King Uzziah had leprosy until the day he died. He lived in a separate house as a leper, cut off from the house of the LORD, while his son Jotham took charge of the palace and governed the people of the land.
22Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, did Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, write.
22The rest of Uzziah's deeds, from first to last, were written by the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz.
23So Uzziah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of the burial which belonged to the kings; for they said, He is a leper: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.
23Uzziah rested with his fathers, and they buried him near his fathers in the burial field that belonged to the kings, for they said, "He was a leper." And his son Jotham became king in his place.
27Jotham Builds and Prospers
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Jotham was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Jerushah, the daughter of Zadok.
1Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jerushah, the daughter of Zadok.
2And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah did: howbeit he entered not into the temple of the LORD. And the people did yet corruptly.
2He did what was right in the LORD's sight, just as his father Uzziah had done, except that he did not enter the temple of the LORD. But the people kept on acting corruptly.
3He built the high gate of the house of the LORD, and on the wall of Ophel he built much.
3He built the Upper Gate of the house of the LORD and did a great deal of building on the wall of Ophel.
4Moreover he built cities in the mountains of Judah, and in the forests he built castles and towers.
4He also built towns in the hill country of Judah, and in the wooded areas he built fortresses and towers.
5He fought also with the king of the Ammonites, and prevailed against them. And the children of Ammon gave him the same year an hundred talents of silver, and ten thousand measures of wheat, and ten thousand of barley. So much did the children of Ammon pay unto him, both the second year, and the third.
5He fought against the king of the Ammonites and defeated them. That year the Ammonites paid him one hundred talents of silver, ten thousand measures of wheat, and ten thousand measures of barley. The Ammonites paid him the same amount in the second and third years as well.
6So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God.
6So Jotham grew powerful, because he ordered his ways before the LORD his God.
7Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars, and his ways, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.
7The rest of Jotham's deeds, all his wars, and his ways are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.
8He was five and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem.
8He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem.
9And Jotham slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead.
9Jotham rested with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David. And his son Ahaz became king in his place.
28Ahaz Shuts the Doors of the Temple
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: but he did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD, like David his father:
1Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. But he did not do what was right in the LORD's sight, as his father David had done.
2For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim.
2He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and even made metal images for the Baals.
3Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.
3He burned incense in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom and burned his own children in the fire, following the detestable practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before the people of Israel.
4He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.
4He offered sacrifices and burned incense at the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree.
5Wherefore the LORD his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and they smote him, and carried away a great multitude of them captives, and brought them to Damascus. And he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who smote him with a great slaughter.
5So the LORD his God handed him over to the king of Syria. The Syrians defeated him and carried off a great many of his people as captives, taking them to Damascus. He was also handed over to the king of Israel, who inflicted a heavy defeat on him.
6For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah an hundred and twenty thousand in one day, which were all valiant men; because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers.
6Pekah son of Remaliah killed one hundred twenty thousand in Judah in a single day, all of them brave men, because they had abandoned the LORD, the God of their fathers.
7And Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, slew Maaseiah the king’s son, and Azrikam the governor of the house, and Elkanah that was next to the king.
7Zichri, a warrior from Ephraim, killed Maaseiah the king's son, Azrikam the officer in charge of the palace, and Elkanah, who was second to the king.
8And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters, and took also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria.
8The men of Israel took captive two hundred thousand of their relatives, wives, sons, and daughters. They also seized a great deal of plunder from them and carried it back to Samaria.
9But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven.
9But a prophet of the LORD named Oded was there. He went out to meet the army returning to Samaria and said to them, "Look, because the LORD, the God of your fathers, was angry with Judah, he handed them over to you. But you have slaughtered them in a rage that reaches up to heaven.
10And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: but are there not with you, even with you, sins against the LORD your God?
10"And now you plan to make the people of Judah and Jerusalem your male and female slaves. But aren't you also guilty of sins against the LORD your God?
11Now hear me therefore, and deliver the captives again, which ye have taken captive of your brethren: for the fierce wrath of the LORD is upon you.
11"Now listen to me. Send back the captives you have taken from your relatives, for the fierce anger of the LORD is upon you."
12Then 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 them that came from the war,
12Then some of the leaders of the people of Ephraim, Azariah son of Johanan, Berechiah son of Meshillemoth, Jehizkiah son of Shallum, and Amasa son of Hadlai, stood up to oppose those returning from the war.
13And said unto them, Ye shall not bring in the captives hither: for whereas we have offended against the LORD already, ye intend to add more to our sins and to our trespass: for our trespass is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel.
13They said to them, "You must not bring the captives here. We are already guilty before the LORD, and you intend to add to our sins and our guilt. Our guilt is already great, and fierce anger rests on Israel."
14So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the princes and all the congregation.
14So the soldiers left the captives and the plunder in front of the leaders and the whole assembly.
15And the men which were expressed by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that 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 upon asses, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their brethren: then they returned to Samaria.
15The men named above got up and took charge of the captives. From the plunder they clothed all who were naked, giving them clothes and sandals, food and drink, and healing ointment. They put all the weak ones on donkeys and brought them to their relatives at Jericho, the city of palm trees. Then they returned to Samaria.
16At that time did king Ahaz send unto the kings of Assyria to help him.
16At that time King Ahaz sent to the kings of Assyria for help.
17For again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah, and carried away captives.
17For the Edomites had come again and attacked Judah and carried off captives.
18The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the low country, and of the south of Judah, and had taken Bethshemesh, and Ajalon, and Gederoth, and Shocho with the villages thereof, and Timnah with the villages thereof, Gimzo also and the villages thereof: and they dwelt there.
18The Philistines had also raided the towns of the foothills and the south of Judah, and had taken Beth-shemesh, Aijalon, Gederoth, and Soco with its villages, Timnah with its villages, and Gimzo with its villages, and they settled there.
19For the LORD brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel; for he made Judah naked, and transgressed sore against the LORD.
19The LORD had humbled Judah because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had let Judah run wild and had been utterly unfaithful to the LORD.
20And Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria came unto him, and distressed him, but strengthened him not.
20Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came to him, but he brought him trouble instead of help.
21For Ahaz took away a portion out of the house of the LORD, and out of the house of the king, and of the princes, and gave it unto the king of Assyria: but he helped him not.
21Ahaz took a share of the treasures from the house of the LORD, from the palace, and from the officials, and gave it to the king of Assyria, but it did him no good.
22And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the LORD: this is that king Ahaz.
22Even in his time of trouble, this same King Ahaz became still more unfaithful to the LORD.
23For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel.
23He sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, who had defeated him, for he said, "Since the gods of the kings of Syria help them, I will sacrifice to them so they will help me." But they were the ruin of him and of all Israel.
24And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God, and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and shut up the doors of the house of the LORD, and he made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem.
24Ahaz gathered up the articles of the house of God and cut them to pieces. He shut the doors of the house of the LORD and set up altars for himself on every corner in Jerusalem.
25And in every several city of Judah he made high places to burn incense unto other gods, and provoked to anger the LORD God of his fathers.
25In every single town of Judah he built high places to burn incense to other gods, and he provoked the LORD, the God of his fathers, to anger.
26Now the rest of his acts and of all his ways, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
26The rest of his deeds and all his ways, from first to last, are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
27And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, even in Jerusalem: but they brought him not into the sepulchres of the kings of Israel: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.
27Ahaz rested with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, in Jerusalem, but they did not place him in the tombs of the kings of Israel. And his son Hezekiah became king in his place.
29Hezekiah Cleanses the House of the LORD
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Hezekiah began to reign when he was five and twenty years old, and he reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah.
1Hezekiah was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah.
2And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done.
2He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his ancestor David had done.
3He in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors of the house of the LORD, and repaired them.
3In the first month of the first year of his reign, he opened the doors of the house of the LORD and repaired them.
4And he brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them together into the east street,
4He brought in the priests and the Levites and gathered them in the open square on the east side,
5And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place.
5and said to them, "Listen to me, Levites. Now make yourselves holy, and make the house of the LORD, the God of your ancestors, holy, and carry the filth out of the holy place.
6For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD, and turned their backs.
6For our fathers were unfaithful and did what was evil in the eyes of the LORD our God. They abandoned him, turned their faces away from the place where the LORD lives, and turned their backs on him.
7Also 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 unto the God of Israel.
7They even shut the doors of the porch, put out the lamps, and stopped burning incense and offering burnt offerings in the holy place to the God of Israel.
8Wherefore the wrath of the LORD was upon Judah and Jerusalem, and he hath delivered them to trouble, to astonishment, and to hissing, as ye see with your eyes.
8That is why the LORD's anger fell on Judah and Jerusalem, and he has made them an object of horror, shock, and scorn, as you can see with your own eyes.
9For, lo, our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons and our daughters and our wives are in captivity for this.
9Look, this is why our fathers have fallen by the sword and why our sons, our daughters, and our wives are held captive.
10Now it is in mine heart to make a covenant with the LORD God of Israel, that his fierce wrath may turn away from us.
10Now I have it in my heart to make a covenant with the LORD, the God of Israel, so that his burning anger may turn away from us.
11My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn incense.
11My sons, do not be careless now, for the LORD has chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, to be his ministers, and to burn incense."
12Then 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 Jehalelel: and of the Gershonites; Joah the son of Zimmah, and Eden the son of Joah:
12Then these Levites got to work: Mahath son of Amasai and Joel son of Azariah, from the Kohathites; from the sons of Merari, Kish son of Abdi and Azariah son of Jehalelel; from the Gershonites, Joah son of Zimmah and Eden son of Joah;
13And of the sons of Elizaphan; Shimri, and Jeiel: and of the sons of Asaph; Zechariah, and Mattaniah:
13from the sons of Elizaphan, Shimri and Jeiel; from the sons of Asaph, Zechariah and Mattaniah;
14And of the sons of Heman; Jehiel, and Shimei: and of the sons of Jeduthun; Shemaiah, and Uzziel.
14from the sons of Heman, Jehiel and Shimei; and from the sons of Jeduthun, Shemaiah and Uzziel.
15And they gathered their brethren, and sanctified themselves, and came, according to the commandment of the king, by the words of the LORD, to cleanse the house of the LORD.
15They gathered their fellow Levites, made themselves holy, and went in, as the king had commanded by the words of the LORD, to cleanse the house of the LORD.
16And the priests went into the inner part of the house of the LORD, to cleanse it, and brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of the LORD into the court of the house of the LORD. And the Levites took it, to carry it out abroad into the brook Kidron.
16The priests went into the inner part of the house of the LORD to cleanse it, and they carried everything unclean they found in the temple of the LORD out into the courtyard of the house of the LORD. Then the Levites picked it up and took it outside to the Kidron brook.
17Now 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 the LORD: so they sanctified the house of the LORD in eight days; and in the sixteenth day of the first month they made an end.
17They began the work of making it holy on the first day of the first month, and on the eighth day of the month they reached the porch of the LORD. They spent eight more days making the house of the LORD holy, and on the sixteenth day of the first month they finished.
18Then they went in to Hezekiah the king, and said, We have cleansed all the house of the LORD, and the altar of burnt offering, with all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread table, with all the vessels thereof.
18Then they went in to King Hezekiah and said, "We have cleansed the whole house of the LORD, the altar of burnt offering with all its equipment, and the table of the showbread with all its equipment.
19Moreover all the vessels, which king Ahaz in his reign did cast away in his transgression, have we prepared and sanctified, and, behold, they are before the altar of the LORD.
19We have also made ready and made holy all the equipment that King Ahaz threw out during his reign when he was unfaithful. See, it is now in front of the altar of the LORD."
20Then Hezekiah the king rose early, and gathered the rulers of the city, and went up to the house of the LORD.
20Then King Hezekiah got up early, gathered the leaders of the city, and went up to the house of the LORD.
21And they brought seven bullocks, and seven rams, and seven lambs, and seven he goats, for a sin offering for the kingdom, and for the sanctuary, and for Judah. And he commanded the priests the sons of Aaron to offer them on the altar of the LORD.
21They brought seven bulls, seven rams, seven lambs, and seven male goats as a sin offering for the kingdom, for the sanctuary, and for Judah. He commanded the priests, the descendants of Aaron, to offer them on the altar of the LORD.
22So they killed the bullocks, and the priests received the blood, and sprinkled it on the altar: likewise, when they had killed the rams, they sprinkled the blood upon the altar: they killed also the lambs, and they sprinkled the blood upon the altar.
22So they killed the bulls, and the priests took the blood and sprinkled it on the altar. In the same way, when they had killed the rams, they sprinkled the blood on the altar, and when they had killed the lambs, they sprinkled that blood on the altar too.
23And they brought forth the he goats for the sin offering before the king and the congregation; and they laid their hands upon them:
23Then they brought the male goats for the sin offering before the king and the assembly, and they laid their hands on them.
24And the priests killed them, and they made reconciliation with their blood upon the altar, to make an atonement for all Israel: for the king commanded that the burnt offering and the sin offering should be made for all Israel.
24The priests killed them and made a sin offering with their blood on the altar to make atonement for all Israel, because the king had commanded that the burnt offering and the sin offering be made for all Israel.
25And he set the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king’s seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment of the LORD by his prophets.
25He stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, stringed instruments, and harps, following the command of David, of Gad the king's seer, and of Nathan the prophet, for that command had come from the LORD through his prophets.
26And the Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets.
26So the Levites stood with David's instruments, and the priests with the trumpets.
27And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offering upon the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of the LORD began also with the trumpets, and with the instruments ordained by David king of Israel.
27Then Hezekiah gave the order to offer the burnt offering on the altar. As the burnt offering began, the song of the LORD began too, along with the trumpets and the instruments of David king of Israel.
28And all the congregation worshipped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded: and all this continued until the burnt offering was finished.
28The whole assembly worshiped, the singers sang, and the trumpeters played, and all of this went on until the burnt offering was finished.
29And when they had made an end of offering, the king and all that were present with him bowed themselves, and worshipped.
29When the offering was over, the king and everyone with him bowed down and worshiped.
30Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praise unto the LORD with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshipped.
30Then King Hezekiah and the officials told the Levites to sing praise to the LORD using the words of David and of Asaph the seer. They sang praises with joy, and they bowed their heads and worshiped.
31Then Hezekiah answered and said, Now ye have consecrated yourselves unto the LORD, come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of the LORD. And the congregation brought in sacrifices and thank offerings; and as many as were of a free heart burnt offerings.
31Then Hezekiah spoke up and said, "Now that you have set yourselves apart for the LORD, come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of the LORD." So the assembly brought sacrifices and thank offerings, and everyone whose heart was willing brought burnt offerings.
32And the number of the burnt offerings, which the congregation brought, was threescore and ten bullocks, an hundred rams, and two hundred lambs: all these were for a burnt offering to the LORD.
32The number of burnt offerings the assembly brought was seventy bulls, a hundred rams, and two hundred lambs, all as a burnt offering to the LORD.
33And the consecrated things were six hundred oxen and three thousand sheep.
33The animals set apart as holy came to six hundred oxen and three thousand sheep.
34But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings: wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them, till the work was ended, and until the other priests had sanctified themselves: for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.
34But there were too few priests to skin all the burnt offerings, so their fellow Levites helped them until the work was done and until the other priests had made themselves holy, for the Levites had been more wholehearted about making themselves holy than the priests were.
35And also the burnt offerings were in abundance, with the fat of the peace offerings, and the drink offerings for every burnt offering. So the service of the house of the LORD was set in order.
35There were also burnt offerings in great numbers, together with the fat of the peace offerings and the drink offerings that went with every burnt offering. So the service of the house of the LORD was set in order again.
36And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had prepared the people: for the thing was done suddenly.
36Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced over what God had made ready for the people, because it had all happened so quickly.
30The Great Passover in the Second Month
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel.
1Hezekiah sent word to all Israel and Judah, and he also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh, inviting them to come to the house of the LORD in Jerusalem to keep the Passover to the LORD, the God of Israel.
2For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month.
2The king, his officials, and the whole assembly in Jerusalem had decided to keep the Passover in the second month,
3For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem.
3because they had not been able to keep it at the usual time: not enough priests had made themselves holy, and the people had not yet gathered in Jerusalem.
4And the thing pleased the king and all the congregation.
4The plan seemed right to the king and the whole assembly.
5So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done it of a long time in such sort as it was written.
5So they issued a decree to be announced throughout all Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, calling the people to come to Jerusalem to keep the Passover to the LORD, the God of Israel, for it had been a long time since they had kept it in large numbers the way it was written.
6So 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, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.
6So the runners went out through all Israel and Judah with letters from the king and his officials, and by the king's command they said, "People of Israel, come back to the LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will come back to those of you who are left, who have escaped from the hands of the kings of Assyria.
7And be not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren, which trespassed against the LORD God of their fathers, who therefore gave them up to desolation, as ye see.
7Do not be like your fathers and your brothers, who were unfaithful to the LORD, the God of their ancestors, so that he made them a shocking ruin, as you can see.
8Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.
8Now do not be stubborn as your fathers were. Give yourselves to the LORD, come to his sanctuary, which he has made holy forever, and serve the LORD your God, so that his burning anger may turn away from you.
9For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.
9For if you come back to the LORD, your brothers and your children will be treated with compassion by those who hold them captive, and they will come back to this land. The LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and he will not turn his face away from you if you return to him."
10So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them.
10So the runners went from town to town through the land of Ephraim and Manasseh and as far as Zebulun, but the people laughed at them and made fun of them.
11Nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem.
11Still, some people from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.
12Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the LORD.
12In Judah too, the hand of God was at work to give the people one heart to carry out what the king and the officials had commanded by the word of the LORD.
13And there assembled at Jerusalem much people to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great congregation.
13A large crowd gathered in Jerusalem to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the second month; it was a very great assembly.
14And 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.
14They set to work and removed the altars that were in Jerusalem; they took away all the incense altars and threw them into the Kidron brook.
15Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the second month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought in the burnt offerings into the house of the LORD.
15Then they killed the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the second month. The priests and the Levites were ashamed, so they made themselves holy and brought burnt offerings into the house of the LORD.
16And they stood in their place after their manner, according to the law of Moses the man of God: the priests sprinkled the blood, which they received of the hand of the Levites.
16They took their usual places, as laid down in the law of Moses the man of God, and the priests sprinkled the blood that the Levites handed to them.
17For there were many in the congregation that were not sanctified: therefore the Levites had the charge of the killing of the passovers for every one that was not clean, to sanctify them unto the LORD.
17Because many in the assembly had not made themselves holy, the Levites had to kill the Passover lambs for everyone who was not clean, to set them apart for the LORD.
18For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one
18A great many of the people, especially many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover anyway, not as it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, "May the good LORD pardon everyone
19That prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.
19who sets his heart on seeking God, the LORD, the God of his fathers, even though he is not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary."
20And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people.
20The LORD listened to Hezekiah and healed the people.
21And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the LORD.
21The people of Israel who were in Jerusalem kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days with great joy, and every day the Levites and the priests praised the LORD, playing loud instruments to the LORD.
22And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the LORD: and they did eat throughout the feast seven days, offering peace offerings, and making confession to the LORD God of their fathers.
22Hezekiah spoke encouraging words to all the Levites who showed such good understanding of the LORD's service. So they ate through the whole seven-day feast, offering peace offerings and giving thanks to the LORD, the God of their fathers.
23And the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days: and they kept other seven days with gladness.
23Then the whole assembly agreed to keep the feast for seven more days, and they kept those seven days with joy.
24For Hezekiah king of Judah did give to the congregation a thousand bullocks and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the congregation a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep: and a great number of priests sanctified themselves.
24For Hezekiah king of Judah gave the assembly a thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep, and the officials gave the assembly a thousand bulls and ten thousand sheep, and a great many priests made themselves holy.
25And all the congregation of Judah, with the priests and the Levites, and all the congregation that came out of Israel, and the strangers that came out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Judah, rejoiced.
25The whole assembly of Judah rejoiced, along with the priests and the Levites, the whole assembly that had come from Israel, and the foreigners who had come from the land of Israel or who lived in Judah.
26So 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.
26There was great joy in Jerusalem, for nothing like this had happened in Jerusalem since the days of Solomon son of David, king of Israel.
27Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven.
27Then the priests and the Levites stood and blessed the people, and their voice was heard; their prayer reached his holy dwelling place in heaven.
31Hezekiah Organizes the Offerings
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and brake the images in pieces, and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.
1When all this was finished, all the Israelites who were there went out to the towns of Judah and smashed the sacred pillars, cut down the idol poles, and tore down the high places and the altars throughout Judah and Benjamin, and in Ephraim and Manasseh as well, until they had destroyed every one of them. Then all the people of Israel went back to their own towns and their own property.
2And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the LORD.
2Hezekiah arranged the priests and the Levites in divisions, each according to his duty, whether priest or Levite, for burnt offerings and peace offerings, to serve, to give thanks, and to sing praise at the gates of the LORD's camp.
3He 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 the LORD.
3The king also set aside a share of his own possessions for the burnt offerings: the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the Sabbaths, the new moons, and the appointed feasts, as it is written in the law of the LORD.
4Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD.
4He ordered the people living in Jerusalem to give the priests and the Levites their share, so that they could devote themselves to the law of the LORD.
5And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.
5As soon as the order went out, the people of Israel gave generously the first of their grain, new wine, oil, and honey, and of everything the fields produced; they brought in a tithe of everything in great amounts.
6And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and laid them by heaps.
6The people of Israel and Judah who lived in the towns of Judah also brought in a tithe of their cattle and sheep and a tithe of the holy things that had been dedicated to the LORD their God, and they piled them up in heaps.
7In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month.
7They began to pile up the heaps in the third month and finished in the seventh month.
8And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD, and his people Israel.
8When Hezekiah and the officials came and saw the heaps, they praised the LORD and blessed his people Israel.
9Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps.
9Hezekiah asked the priests and the Levites about the heaps,
10And 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 the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.
10and Azariah the chief priest, from the family of Zadok, answered him, "Ever since the people began bringing their offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had plenty to eat with a great deal left over, for the LORD has blessed his people, and this huge pile is what is left."
11Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the LORD; and they prepared them,
11Then Hezekiah ordered storerooms to be prepared in the house of the LORD, and they prepared them.
12And brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully: over which Cononiah the Levite was ruler, and Shimei his brother was the next.
12They faithfully brought in the offerings, the tithes, and the dedicated things. Cononiah the Levite was in charge of them, and his brother Shimei was second in command.
13And 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 Cononiah and Shimei his brother, at the commandment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God.
13Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath, and Benaiah were supervisors under Cononiah and his brother Shimei, by order of King Hezekiah and of Azariah, the chief officer of the house of God.
14And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the porter toward the east, was over the freewill offerings of God, to distribute the oblations of the LORD, and the most holy things.
14Kore son of Imnah the Levite, the keeper of the east gate, was in charge of the freewill offerings given to God, handing out the offerings made to the LORD and the most holy gifts.
15And next him were Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their set office, to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the great as to the small:
15Under him, in the towns of the priests, were Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, who faithfully handed out shares to their fellow priests by their divisions, to old and young alike.
16Beside their genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even unto every one that entereth into the house of the LORD, his daily portion for their service in their charges according to their courses;
16Besides those listed in the family records, they gave to the males three years old and up, to everyone who came into the house of the LORD for his daily duties, according to his responsibilities and his division;
17Both to the genealogy of the priests by the house of their fathers, and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their charges by their courses;
17and to the priests listed by their family lines, and to the Levites twenty years old and up, according to their responsibilities and their divisions;
18And to the genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation: for in their set office they sanctified themselves in holiness:
18and to all the little children, wives, sons, and daughters listed in the records of the whole community, for they had faithfully kept themselves holy in their office.
19Also of the sons of Aaron the priests, which were in the fields of the suburbs of their cities, in every several city, the men that were expressed by name, to give portions to all the males among the priests, and to all that were reckoned by genealogies among the Levites.
19As for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who lived on the farmland around their towns, in each and every town there were men named to hand out shares to every male among the priests and to everyone listed in the family records of the Levites.
20And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the LORD his God.
20This is what Hezekiah did throughout all Judah. He did what was good and right and true before the LORD his God.
21And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.
21In everything he undertook for the service of the house of God and for the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he worked with his whole heart, and he prospered.
32Sennacherib Besieges Jerusalem
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself.
1After these faithful acts, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah. He camped against the walled cities, planning to break them open for himself.
2And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come, and that he was purposed to fight against Jerusalem,
2When Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come and meant to attack Jerusalem,
3He took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which were without the city: and they did help him.
3he met with his officials and his warriors about blocking up the water from the springs outside the city, and they helped him.
4So there was gathered much people together, who stopped all the fountains, and the brook that ran through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water?
4A large crowd gathered and stopped up all the springs and the stream that flowed through the middle of the land. "Why should the kings of Assyria come and find plenty of water?" they said.
5Also he strengthened himself, and built up all the wall that was broken, and raised it up to the towers, and another wall without, and repaired Millo in the city of David, and made darts and shields in abundance.
5Hezekiah also took courage, rebuilt the whole broken-down wall and raised towers on it, built another wall outside it, strengthened the Millo in the city of David, and made large numbers of weapons and shields.
6And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying,
6He put military commanders over the people, gathered them to him in the square by the city gate, and encouraged them, saying,
7Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:
7"Be strong and brave. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the whole army with him, for there is more on our side than on his.
8With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
8All he has is human strength, but we have the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles." And the people were reassured by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
9After this did Sennacherib king of Assyria send his servants to Jerusalem, (but he himself laid siege against Lachish, and all his power with him,) unto Hezekiah king of Judah, and unto all Judah that were at Jerusalem, saying,
9After this, while Sennacherib king of Assyria and his whole army were laying siege to Lachish, he sent his servants to Jerusalem with this message for Hezekiah king of Judah and for all the people of Judah who were in Jerusalem:
10Thus saith Sennacherib king of Assyria, Whereon do ye trust, that ye abide in the siege in Jerusalem?
10"This is what Sennacherib king of Assyria says: What are you trusting in, that you stay in Jerusalem under siege?
11Doth not Hezekiah persuade you to give over yourselves to die by famine and by thirst, saying, The LORD our God shall deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria?
11Isn't Hezekiah talking you into giving yourselves up to die of hunger and thirst when he says, 'The LORD our God will rescue us from the hand of the king of Assyria'?
12Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall worship before one altar, and burn incense upon it?
12Isn't this the same Hezekiah who took away his high places and altars and told Judah and Jerusalem, 'You must worship at one altar only, and burn incense on it'?
13Know ye not what I and my fathers have done unto all the people of other lands? were the gods of the nations of those lands any ways able to deliver their lands out of mine hand?
13Don't you know what I and my fathers have done to all the peoples of other lands? Were the gods of those nations able in any way to save their lands from my hand?
14Who was there among all the gods of those nations that my fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people out of mine hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out of mine hand?
14Which of all the gods of those nations my fathers wiped out was able to save his people from my hand? So how could your God save you from my hand?
15Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you on this manner, neither yet believe him: for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of mine hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you out of mine hand?
15So now, do not let Hezekiah fool you or talk you into this, and do not believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to save his people from my hand or from the hand of my fathers. How much less will your God save you from my hand!"
16And his servants spake yet more against the LORD God, and against his servant Hezekiah.
16His servants said even more against the LORD God and against his servant Hezekiah.
17He wrote also letters to rail on the LORD God of Israel, and to speak against him, saying, As the gods of the nations of other lands have not delivered their people out of mine hand, so shall not the God of Hezekiah deliver his people out of mine hand.
17He also wrote letters mocking the LORD, the God of Israel, and speaking against him: "Just as the gods of the nations of other lands did not save their people from my hand, so the God of Hezekiah will not save his people from my hand."
18Then they cried with a loud voice in the Jews’ speech unto the people of Jerusalem that were on the wall, to affright them, and to trouble them; that they might take the city.
18Then they shouted loudly in the language of the Jews to the people of Jerusalem who were on the wall, to frighten and terrify them so that they could capture the city.
19And they spake against the God of Jerusalem, as against the gods of the people of the earth, which were the work of the hands of man.
19They talked about the God of Jerusalem as if he were like the gods of the other peoples of the earth, which are made by human hands.
20And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven.
20Because of all this, King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz prayed and cried out to heaven.
21And the LORD sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.
21And the LORD sent an angel who wiped out all the mighty warriors, leaders, and commanders in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he went back to his own land in disgrace, and when he went into the temple of his god, some of his own sons killed him there with the sword.
22Thus the LORD saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all other, and guided them on every side.
22So the LORD saved Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib king of Assyria and from the hand of everyone else, and he protected them on every side.
23And many brought gifts unto the LORD to Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah: so that he was magnified in the sight of all nations from thenceforth.
23Many people brought gifts to the LORD in Jerusalem and valuable presents to Hezekiah king of Judah, and from then on he was highly honored by all the nations.
24In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the LORD: and he spake unto him, and he gave him a sign.
24In those days Hezekiah became deathly ill and prayed to the LORD, and the LORD answered him and gave him a sign.
25But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.
25But Hezekiah did not respond with thanks for the kindness shown to him, because his heart had grown proud. So anger came upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem.
26Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.
26Then Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the people of Jerusalem, so the LORD's anger did not come on them during Hezekiah's lifetime.
27And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels;
27Hezekiah had very great wealth and honor. He built himself treasuries for silver, gold, precious stones, spices, shields, and all kinds of valuable objects,
28Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks.
28as well as storehouses for the harvests of grain, new wine, and oil, stalls for all kinds of livestock, and pens for the flocks.
29Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for God had given him substance very much.
29He also built towns for himself and acquired flocks and herds in great numbers, for God had given him a very great deal of wealth.
30This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works.
30It was this same Hezekiah who blocked the upper outlet of the Gihon spring and channeled the water straight down to the west side of the city of David. Hezekiah succeeded in everything he did.
31Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire 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.
31Yet when the envoys sent by the rulers of Babylon came to ask about the wonder that had happened in the land, God left him alone to test him, so that he could know everything that was in his heart.
32Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, and in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
32The rest of the acts of Hezekiah and his good deeds are written in the vision of the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz and in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
33And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death. And Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.
33Hezekiah died and was buried in the upper part of the tombs of the sons of David, and all Judah and the people of Jerusalem honored him at his death. His son Manasseh became king in his place.
33Manasseh's Idolatry and Repentance
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem:
1Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem.
2But did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.
2He did what was evil in the eyes of the LORD, following the disgusting practices of the nations the LORD had driven out ahead of the people of Israel.
3For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.
3He rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had torn down, set up altars for the Baals, made idol poles, and bowed down to all the stars of the sky and served them.
4Also he built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever.
4He built altars in the house of the LORD, the very place of which the LORD had said, "My name will be in Jerusalem forever."
5And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.
5He built altars to all the stars of the sky in the two courtyards of the house of the LORD.
6And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
6He made his children pass through the fire in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom. He practiced fortune-telling, sorcery, and witchcraft, and he consulted mediums and spiritists. He did a great deal of evil in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger.
7And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:
7He set the carved image, the idol he had made, in the house of God, the very place of which God had said to David and to his son Solomon, "In this house and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my name forever.
8Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers; so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses.
8I will never again remove the feet of Israel from the land I set apart for your fathers, as long as they are careful to do everything I have commanded them, the whole law, the statutes, and the rules given through Moses."
9So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel.
9But Manasseh led Judah and the people of Jerusalem astray, so that they did worse than the nations the LORD had destroyed ahead of the people of Israel.
10And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken.
10The LORD spoke to Manasseh and to his people, but they would not listen.
11Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.
11So the LORD brought the army commanders of the king of Assyria against them. They captured Manasseh with hooks, bound him in bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon.
12And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,
12In his distress he sought the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself deeply before the God of his fathers.
13And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.
13He prayed to him, and God was moved by his plea, heard his cry for help, and brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God.
14Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah.
14After this he built an outer wall for the city of David, west of Gihon in the valley, as far as the entrance of the Fish Gate, and ran it around Ophel, making it very high. He also placed military commanders in all the walled cities of Judah.
15And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the LORD, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the LORD, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city.
15He removed the foreign gods and the idol from the house of the LORD, and all the altars he had built on the hill of the house of the LORD and in Jerusalem, and threw them out of the city.
16And he repaired the altar of the LORD, and sacrificed thereon peace offerings and thank offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel.
16He repaired the altar of the LORD and offered peace offerings and thank offerings on it, and he commanded Judah to serve the LORD, the God of Israel.
17Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, yet unto the LORD their God only.
17Even so, the people still sacrificed at the high places, though only to the LORD their God.
18Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and his prayer unto his God, and the words of the seers that spake to him in the name of the LORD God of Israel, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel.
18The rest of the acts of Manasseh, his prayer to his God, and the words the seers spoke to him in the name of the LORD, the God of Israel, are written in the book of the kings of Israel.
19His prayer also, and how God was intreated of him, and all his sins, and his trespass, and the places wherein he built high places, and set up groves and graven images, before he was humbled: behold, they are written among the sayings of the seers.
19His prayer and how God was moved by it, all his sin and his unfaithfulness, and the places where he built high places and set up idol poles and carved images before he humbled himself, are written in the records of the seers.
20So Manasseh slept with his fathers, and they buried him in his own house: and Amon his son reigned in his stead.
20Manasseh died and was buried in his own palace, and his son Amon became king in his place.
21Amon was two and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned two years in Jerusalem.
21Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem.
22But he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as did Manasseh his father: for Amon sacrificed unto all the carved images which Manasseh his father had made, and served them;
22He did what was evil in the eyes of the LORD, as his father Manasseh had done. Amon sacrificed to all the carved images his father Manasseh had made, and he served them.
23And humbled not himself before the LORD, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but Amon trespassed more and more.
23But he did not humble himself before the LORD as his father Manasseh had done; instead, Amon piled up more and more guilt.
24And his servants conspired against him, and slew him in his own house.
24His servants plotted against him and killed him in his own palace.
25But the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead.
25But the people of the land put to death everyone who had plotted against King Amon, and the people of the land made his son Josiah king in his place.
34Josiah and the Book of the Law
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years.
1Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem for thirty-one years.
2And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.
2He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in the ways of his ancestor David, turning aside neither to the right nor to the left.
3For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.
3In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his ancestor David, and in the twelfth year he began to clear Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the sacred poles, the carved images, and the metal idols.
4And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them.
4They tore down the altars of the Baals while he watched; he cut down the incense altars that stood above them, and he smashed the sacred poles, the carved images, and the metal idols, ground them to dust, and scattered it over the graves of the people who had sacrificed to them.
5And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem.
5He burned the bones of the idol priests on their own altars, and so he cleansed Judah and Jerusalem.
6And so did he in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even unto Naphtali, with their mattocks round about.
6He did the same in the towns of Manasseh, Ephraim, and Simeon, as far as Naphtali, and in the ruins all around them.
7And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and had beaten the graven images into powder, and cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem.
7When he had torn down the altars and the sacred poles, beaten the carved images to powder, and cut down every idol throughout the whole land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem.
8Now 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 the LORD his God.
8In the eighteenth year of his reign, once he had cleansed the land and the temple, he sent Shaphan son of Azaliah, Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah son of Joahaz the recorder to repair the house of the LORD his God.
9And when they came to Hilkiah the high priest, they delivered the money that was brought into the house of God, which the Levites that kept the doors had gathered of the hand of Manasseh and Ephraim, and of all the remnant of Israel, and of all Judah and Benjamin; and they returned to Jerusalem.
9They went to Hilkiah the high priest and handed over the money that had been brought into the house of God, which the Levites who guarded the doors had collected from Manasseh and Ephraim, from all the rest of Israel, and from all Judah and Benjamin; then they returned to Jerusalem.
10And they put it in the hand of the workmen that had the oversight of the house of the LORD, and they gave it to the workmen that wrought in the house of the LORD, to repair and amend the house:
10They put it into the hands of the workmen who supervised the house of the LORD, and those men paid the workers who were laboring in the house of the LORD to restore and repair the building.
11Even to the artificers and builders gave they it, to buy hewn stone, and timber for couplings, and to floor the houses which the kings of Judah had destroyed.
11They gave it to the craftsmen and builders to buy cut stone and timber for beams and joists, and to put new floors in the buildings the kings of Judah had let fall into ruin.
12And 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 other of the Levites, all that could skill of instruments of musick.
12The men did the work faithfully. Over them were the Levites Jahath and Obadiah from the family of Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam from the family of Kohath, who directed the work, along with other Levites, all of them skilled with musical instruments.
13Also they were over the bearers of burdens, and were overseers of all that wrought the work in any manner of service: and of the Levites there were scribes, and officers, and porters.
13They also supervised the laborers and oversaw everyone doing any kind of work, and some of the Levites served as scribes, officials, and gatekeepers.
14And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found a book of the law of the LORD given by Moses.
14While they were bringing out the money that had been brought into the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found the book of the law of the LORD that had been given through Moses.
15And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan.
15Hilkiah spoke up and said to Shaphan the scribe, "I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD." And Hilkiah handed the book to Shaphan.
16And Shaphan carried the book to the king, and brought the king word back again, saying, All that was committed to thy servants, they do it.
16Shaphan carried the book to the king and also brought him this report: "Your servants are doing everything that was assigned to them.
17And they have gathered together the money that was found in the house of the LORD, and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers, and to the hand of the workmen.
17They have collected the money that was found in the house of the LORD and have handed it over to the supervisors and the workers."
18Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.
18Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a book." And Shaphan read from it in front of the king.
19And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes.
19When the king heard the words of the law, he tore his clothes.
20And the king commanded Hilkiah, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Abdon the son of Micah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king’s, saying,
20The king gave this order to Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king's servant:
21Go, enquire of the LORD for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to do after all that is written in this book.
21"Go and ask the LORD for me and for those who are left in Israel and Judah about the words of this book that has been found. The LORD's anger that is poured out on us is great, because our ancestors did not keep the word of the LORD or do everything that is written in this book."
22And Hilkiah, and they that the king had appointed, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvath, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college:) and they spake to her to that effect.
22So Hilkiah and the men the king had chosen went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tikvath, son of Hasrah, the keeper of the royal wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the Second District, and they spoke with her about all this.
23And she answered them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell ye the man that sent you to me,
23She answered them, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Tell the man who sent you to me,
24Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah:
24'This is what the LORD says: I am going to bring disaster on this place and on the people who live here, every curse written in the book that was read in front of the king of Judah.
25Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be poured out upon this place, and shall not be quenched.
25Because they have abandoned me and burned incense to other gods, provoking me to anger with everything their hands have made, my anger will be poured out on this place, and it will not be put out.'
26And as for the king of Judah, who sent you to enquire of the LORD, so shall ye say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel concerning the words which thou hast heard;
26But say this to the king of Judah, who sent you to ask the LORD: 'This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says about the words you have heard:
27Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD.
27Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before me, tore your clothes, and wept in my presence, I have heard you, says the LORD.
28Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace, neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place, and upon the inhabitants of the same. So they brought the king word again.
28I will gather you to your ancestors, and you will be laid in your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place and on the people who live here.'" So they took her answer back to the king.
29Then the king sent and gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem.
29Then the king sent for all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem and gathered them together.
30And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people, 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 the LORD.
30The king went up to the house of the LORD with all the men of Judah, the people of Jerusalem, the priests, the Levites, and all the people from the greatest to the least, and he read aloud to them every word of the book of the covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD.
31And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, 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 which are written in this book.
31The king stood in his place and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and to keep his commands, his decrees, and his laws with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of the covenant written in this book.
32And he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers.
32He had everyone present in Jerusalem and Benjamin pledge themselves to it, and the people of Jerusalem acted according to the covenant of God, the God of their ancestors.
33And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the LORD their God. And all his days they departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.
33Josiah removed every detestable idol from all the lands that belonged to the people of Israel, and he made everyone in Israel serve the LORD their God. As long as he lived, they did not stop following the LORD, the God of their ancestors.
35Josiah's Passover and Death at Megiddo
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Moreover Josiah kept a passover unto the LORD in Jerusalem: and they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.
1Josiah celebrated a Passover to the LORD in Jerusalem, and the Passover lambs were slaughtered on the fourteenth day of the first month.
2And he set the priests in their charges, and encouraged them to the service of the house of the LORD,
2He assigned the priests to their duties and encouraged them in the service of the house of the LORD.
3And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy unto the LORD, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; it shall not be a burden upon your shoulders: serve now the LORD your God, and his people Israel,
3He said to the Levites who taught all Israel and who were set apart as holy to the LORD, "Put the holy ark in the house that Solomon son of David, king of Israel, built. It is no longer to be carried on your shoulders. Now serve the LORD your God and his people Israel.
4And prepare yourselves by the houses of your fathers, after your courses, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon his son.
4Organize yourselves by your family lines and by your divisions, following the written instructions of David king of Israel and of his son Solomon.
5And stand in the holy place according to the divisions of the families of the fathers of your brethren the people, and after the division of the families of the Levites.
5Take your places in the holy place, with a group of Levites for each family division of your fellow Israelites, the ordinary people.
6So kill the passover, and sanctify yourselves, and prepare your brethren, that they may do according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
6Slaughter the Passover lambs, make yourselves holy, and prepare the lambs for your fellow Israelites, so that everything is done according to the word the LORD gave through Moses."
7And Josiah gave to the people, of the flock, lambs and kids, all for the passover offerings, for all that were present, to the number of thirty thousand, and three thousand bullocks: these were of the king’s substance.
7Josiah provided the people with lambs and young goats from the flocks, all for the Passover offerings for everyone present, thirty thousand in all, along with three thousand bulls; these came from the king's own property.
8And his princes gave willingly unto the people, to the priests, and to the Levites: Hilkiah and Zechariah and Jehiel, rulers of the house of God, gave unto the priests for the passover offerings two thousand and six hundred small cattle, and three hundred oxen.
8His officials also gave freely to the people, the priests, and the Levites. Hilkiah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, the leaders in charge of the house of God, gave the priests two thousand six hundred sheep and goats and three hundred oxen for the Passover offerings.
9Conaniah also, and Shemaiah and Nethaneel, his brethren, and Hashabiah and Jeiel and Jozabad, chief of the Levites, gave unto the Levites for passover offerings five thousand small cattle, and five hundred oxen.
9Conaniah, together with his brothers Shemaiah and Nethanel, and Hashabiah, Jeiel, and Jozabad, the leaders of the Levites, gave the Levites five thousand sheep and goats and five hundred oxen for the Passover offerings.
10So the service was prepared, and the priests stood in their place, and the Levites in their courses, according to the king’s commandment.
10So the service was arranged: the priests stood in their places and the Levites in their divisions, as the king had commanded.
11And they killed the passover, and the priests sprinkled the blood from their hands, and the Levites flayed them.
11They slaughtered the Passover lambs, and the priests sprinkled the blood handed to them while the Levites skinned the animals.
12And they removed the burnt offerings, that they might give according to the divisions of the families of the people, to offer unto the LORD, as it is written in the book of Moses. And so did they with the oxen.
12They set aside the burnt offerings to distribute them to the people by their family divisions, so that they could be offered to the LORD as it is written in the book of Moses; and they did the same with the oxen.
13And they roasted the passover with fire according to the ordinance: but the other holy offerings sod they in pots, and in caldrons, and in pans, and divided them speedily among all the people.
13They roasted the Passover lambs over the fire as the rule required, but the other holy offerings they boiled in pots, kettles, and pans, and quickly served them to all the people.
14And afterward they made ready for themselves, and for the priests: because the priests the sons of Aaron were busied in offering of burnt offerings and the fat until night; therefore the Levites prepared for themselves, and for the priests the sons of Aaron.
14Afterward they prepared portions for themselves and for the priests, because the priests, the descendants of Aaron, were busy offering the burnt offerings and the fat until nightfall; so the Levites prepared for themselves and for the priests, the descendants of Aaron.
15And 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 waited at every gate; they might not depart from their service; for their brethren the Levites prepared for them.
15The singers, the descendants of Asaph, were in their places as David, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun the king's seer had commanded, and the gatekeepers stood at every gate. They did not need to leave their posts, because their fellow Levites prepared portions for them.
16So all the service of the LORD was prepared the same day, to keep the passover, and to offer burnt offerings upon the altar of the LORD, according to the commandment of king Josiah.
16So the whole service of the LORD was carried out that day: the Passover was celebrated and the burnt offerings were presented on the altar of the LORD, as King Josiah had commanded.
17And the children of Israel that were present kept the passover at that time, and the feast of unleavened bread seven days.
17The Israelites who were present celebrated the Passover at that time and the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days.
18And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
18No Passover like it had been celebrated in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet; none of the kings of Israel had ever kept a Passover like the one Josiah kept with the priests, the Levites, all Judah and Israel who were present, and the people of Jerusalem.
19In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah was this passover kept.
19This Passover was celebrated in the eighteenth year of Josiah's reign.
20After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Charchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him.
20After all this, when Josiah had set the temple in order, Necho king of Egypt marched up to fight at Carchemish on the Euphrates, and Josiah went out to confront him.
21But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not.
21But Necho sent messengers to him, saying, "What quarrel is there between you and me, king of Judah? I have not come against you today but against the kingdom I am at war with, and God has told me to hurry. Stop opposing God, who is with me, or he will destroy you."
22Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.
22Josiah would not turn away from him, however. He disguised himself in order to fight him, and he refused to listen to what Necho said at God's command, and he went to fight in the valley of Megiddo.
23And the archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to his servants, Have me away; for I am sore wounded.
23The archers shot King Josiah, and the king said to his servants, "Take me away; I am badly wounded."
24His servants therefore took him out of that chariot, and put him in the second chariot that he had; and they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died, and was buried in one of the sepulchres of his fathers. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.
24So his servants lifted him out of that chariot, put him in his second chariot, and brought him to Jerusalem. There he died, and he was buried in the tombs of his ancestors, and all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.
25And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and the singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day, and made them an ordinance in Israel: and, behold, they are written in the lamentations.
25Jeremiah composed a lament for Josiah, and to this day all the male and female singers remember Josiah in their laments. They made it a custom in Israel, and the songs are written in the Laments.
26Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and his goodness, according to that which was written in the law of the LORD,
26The rest of what Josiah did, and his acts of devotion in keeping with what is written in the law of the LORD,
27And his deeds, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.
27his deeds from beginning to end, are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.
36The Last Kings and the Fall of Jerusalem
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and made him king in his father’s stead in Jerusalem.
1Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz son of Josiah and made him king in Jerusalem in his father's place.
2Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem.
2Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem for three months.
3And the king of Egypt put him down at Jerusalem, and condemned the land in an hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold.
3The king of Egypt removed him from the throne in Jerusalem and made the land pay a fine of a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold.
4And the king of Egypt made Eliakim his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem, and turned his name to Jehoiakim. And Necho took Jehoahaz his brother, and carried him to Egypt.
4The king of Egypt made his brother Eliakim king over Judah and Jerusalem and changed his name to Jehoiakim. Necho took Jehoahaz, Eliakim's brother, and carried him off to Egypt.
5Jehoiakim was twenty and 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 the LORD his God.
5Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem for eleven years. He did what was evil in the eyes of the LORD his God.
6Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon.
6Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against him and bound him in bronze chains to take him to Babylon.
7Nebuchadnezzar also carried of the vessels of the house of the LORD to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon.
7Nebuchadnezzar also carried some of the articles from the house of the LORD to Babylon and placed them in his temple there.
8Now 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 stead.
8The rest of what Jehoiakim did, the detestable things he practiced, and the guilt that was found in him, are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. His son Jehoiachin became king in his place.
9Jehoiachin 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 the LORD.
9Jehoiachin was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem for three months and ten days. He did what was evil in the eyes of the LORD.
10And when the year was expired, king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the goodly vessels of the house of the LORD, and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem.
10In the spring of the year, King Nebuchadnezzar sent for him and had him brought to Babylon, together with the precious articles from the house of the LORD, and he made Jehoiachin's relative Zedekiah king over Judah and Jerusalem.
11Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned eleven years in Jerusalem.
11Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem for eleven years.
12And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the LORD.
12He did what was evil in the eyes of the LORD his God, and he did not humble himself before the prophet Jeremiah, who spoke the LORD's own words.
13And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the LORD God of Israel.
13He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear loyalty in God's name. He stiffened his neck and hardened his heart and would not turn to the LORD, the God of Israel.
14Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the LORD which he had hallowed in Jerusalem.
14All the leaders of the priests and the people, too, became more and more unfaithful, following all the detestable practices of the nations, and they defiled the house of the LORD, which he had made holy in Jerusalem.
15And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:
15The LORD, the God of their ancestors, sent word to them again and again through his messengers, because he had compassion on his people and on the place where he lived.
16But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.
16But they mocked God's messengers, despised his words, and made fun of his prophets, until the LORD's anger rose against his people and there was no cure left.
17Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave them all into his hand.
17So he brought the king of the Chaldeans against them, who killed their young men with the sword inside their own sanctuary and showed no pity for young man or young woman, for the old or the frail. God handed them all over to him.
18And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes; all these he brought to Babylon.
18All the articles from the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king and his officials, all of these he carried off to Babylon.
19And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof.
19They burned down the house of God, broke down the wall of Jerusalem, burned all its palaces with fire, and destroyed everything of value in it.
20And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia:
20Those who escaped the sword he carried away to Babylon, where they became servants to him and his sons until the kingdom of Persia came to power.
21To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.
21This fulfilled the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah: the land enjoyed its sabbaths, for all the time it lay desolate it kept sabbath, until seventy years were complete.
22Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
22In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, so that the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah would be fulfilled, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to send out a proclamation throughout his whole kingdom, and to put it in writing as well:
23Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.
23"This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has appointed me to build him a house in Jerusalem, in Judah. Whoever among you belongs to his people, may the LORD his God be with him, and let him go up."