I
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Ahaziah Sends to Ekron
1Then Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab.
1After Ahab died, Moab rebelled against Israel.
2And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.
2Ahaziah fell through the lattice of his upstairs room in Samaria and was badly hurt. So he sent messengers and told them, "Go and ask Baalzebub, the god of Ekron, whether I will recover from this injury."
3But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say unto them, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron?
3But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, "Get up and go meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, 'Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to ask Baalzebub, the god of Ekron?
4Now therefore thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. And Elijah departed.
4So this is what the LORD says: You will not get up from the bed you are lying on. You will surely die.'" And Elijah went on his way.
The King Recognizes the Prophet
5And when the messengers turned back unto him, he said unto them, Why are ye now turned back?
5When the messengers came back to the king, he asked them, "Why have you returned so soon?"
6And they said unto him, There came a man up to meet us, and said unto us, Go, turn again unto the king that sent you, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that thou sendest to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron? therefore thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.
6They told him, "A man came up to meet us and said, 'Go back to the king who sent you and tell him, This is what the LORD says: Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending to ask Baalzebub, the god of Ekron? Because of this you will not get up from the bed you are lying on. You will surely die.'"
7And he said unto them, What manner of man was he which came up to meet you, and told you these words?
7He asked them, "What kind of man was it who came up to meet you and told you this?"
8And they answered him, He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.
8They answered, "He was a hairy man, with a leather belt around his waist." And the king said, "That is Elijah the Tishbite."
Fire on Two Companies of Fifty
9Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, behold, he sat on the top of an hill. And he spake unto him, Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down.
9Then the king sent a captain with his fifty men to Elijah. The captain went up to him and found him sitting on top of a hill, and he said, "Man of God, the king says, 'Come down.'"
10And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.
10Elijah answered the captain of fifty, "If I am a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven and burn up you and your fifty men." And fire came down from heaven and burned up him and his fifty men.
11Again also he sent unto him another captain of fifty with his fifty. And he answered and said unto him, O man of God, thus hath the king said, Come down quickly.
11The king sent another captain with his fifty men to Elijah. This captain said to him, "Man of God, this is what the king says: 'Come down at once.'"
12And Elijah answered and said unto them, If I be a man of God, let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And the fire of God came down from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.
12Elijah answered them, "If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and burn up you and your fifty men." And the fire of God came down from heaven and burned up him and his fifty men.
The Third Captain and Elijah's Errand
13And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.
13Then the king sent a third captain with his fifty men. This third captain went up, fell on his knees before Elijah, and begged him, "Man of God, please let my life and the lives of these fifty servants of yours be precious in your sight.
14Behold, there came fire down from heaven, and burnt up the two captains of the former fifties with their fifties: therefore let my life now be precious in thy sight.
14Look, fire came down from heaven and burned up the first two captains and all their men. But now, please let my life be precious in your sight."
15And the angel of the LORD said unto Elijah, Go down with him: be not afraid of him. And he arose, and went down with him unto the king.
15The angel of the LORD said to Elijah, "Go down with him. Do not be afraid of him." So Elijah got up and went down with him to the king.
16And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron, is it not because there is no God in Israel to enquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.
16He said to the king, "This is what the LORD says: You sent messengers to ask Baalzebub, the god of Ekron, as if there were no God in Israel whose word you could seek. Because of this you will not get up from the bed you are lying on. You will surely die."
The Death of Ahaziah
17So he died according to the word of the LORD which Elijah had spoken. And Jehoram reigned in his stead in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah; because he had no son.
17So Ahaziah died, just as the LORD had said through Elijah. Since he had no son, Jehoram became king in his place, in the second year of Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah.
18Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
18The rest of what Ahaziah did is written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
II
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Elisha Refuses to Turn Back
1And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
1When the time came for the LORD to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal.
2And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel.
2Elijah said to Elisha, "Please stay here, because the LORD has sent me to Bethel." But Elisha said, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they went down to Bethel.
3And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
3The company of prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked him, "Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master away from you today?" "Yes, I know," he answered. "Say nothing about it."
4And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho.
4Then Elijah said to him, "Elisha, please stay here, because the LORD has sent me to Jericho." But he said, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they came to Jericho.
5And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
5The company of prophets at Jericho came to Elisha and asked him, "Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master away from you today?" "Yes, I know," he answered. "Say nothing about it."
6And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on.
6Then Elijah said to him, "Please stay here, because the LORD has sent me to the Jordan." But he said, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So the two of them walked on.
A Double Portion
7And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan.
7Fifty men from the company of prophets went along and stood watching from a distance, while the two of them stood beside the Jordan.
8And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.
8Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up, and struck the water. The water divided to one side and the other, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground.
9And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.
9After they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken away from you." Elisha said, "Please let me have a double share of your spirit."
10And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.
10Elijah said, "You have asked for something hard. Still, if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours. If you do not, it will not be."
The Chariot of Fire
11And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
11As they walked on, talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.
12And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.
12Elisha saw it and cried out, "My father! My father! The chariot of Israel and its horsemen!" Then he saw him no more. He took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two.
The Mantle Passes
13He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;
13He picked up the cloak that had fallen from Elijah, went back, and stood on the bank of the Jordan.
14And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.
14He took the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and struck the water with it. "Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?" he said. When he struck the water, it divided to one side and the other, and Elisha crossed over.
15And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.
15When the company of prophets from Jericho, who were watching, saw him, they said, "The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha." They came to meet him and bowed down to the ground before him.
The Fruitless Search
16And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master: lest peradventure the Spirit of the LORD hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send.
16They said to him, "Look, we your servants have fifty strong men with us. Please let them go and look for your master. Maybe the Spirit of the LORD has picked him up and set him down on some mountain or in some valley." But he said, "Do not send them."
17And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not.
17But they kept pressing him until he was embarrassed to refuse, so he said, "Send them." They sent fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find him.
18And when they came again to him, (for he tarried at Jericho,) he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?
18When they came back to him while he was still staying at Jericho, he said to them, "Didn't I tell you not to go?"
The Spring at Jericho
19And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground barren.
19The men of the city said to Elisha, "Look, sir, this city is in a pleasant place, as you can see, but the water is bad and the land will not produce crops."
20And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him.
20He said, "Bring me a new bowl and put salt in it." So they brought it to him.
21And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land.
21He went out to the spring and threw the salt into it, and said, "This is what the LORD says: I have healed this water. It will never again cause death or keep the land from bearing crops."
22So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake.
22And the water has been good ever since, just as Elisha said it would be.
The Bears at Bethel
23And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.
23From there he went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some young boys came out of the town and mocked him, shouting, "Go on up, baldy! Go on up, baldy!"
24And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.
24He turned around, looked at them, and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Then two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys.
25And he went from thence to mount Carmel, and from thence he returned to Samaria.
25From there he went on to Mount Carmel, and then returned to Samaria.
III
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Jehoram Becomes King of Israel
1Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years.
1Jehoram son of Ahab became king over Israel in Samaria in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, and he reigned twelve years.
2And he wrought evil in the sight of the LORD; but not like his father, and like his mother: for he put away the image of Baal that his father had made.
2He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, though not as badly as his father and mother, for he removed the sacred stone of Baal that his father had made.
3Nevertheless he cleaved unto the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom.
3Still, he clung to the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had led Israel into sin, and he did not turn away from them.
Mesha of Moab Rebels
4And Mesha king of Moab was a sheepmaster, and rendered unto the king of Israel an hundred thousand lambs, and an hundred thousand rams, with the wool.
4Now Mesha, king of Moab, raised sheep, and he used to pay the king of Israel a hundred thousand lambs and the wool of a hundred thousand rams.
5But it came to pass, when Ahab was dead, that the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel.
5But after Ahab died, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel.
6And king Jehoram went out of Samaria the same time, and numbered all Israel.
6So at that time King Jehoram set out from Samaria and gathered all Israel for war.
7And he went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, saying, The king of Moab hath rebelled against me: wilt thou go with me against Moab to battle? And he said, I will go up: I am as thou art, my people as thy people, and my horses as thy horses.
7He also sent this message to Jehoshaphat, king of Judah: "The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to fight against Moab?" Jehoshaphat answered, "I will go. I am with you, my people are your people, and my horses are your horses."
8And he said, Which way shall we go up? And he answered, The way through the wilderness of Edom.
8Then he asked, "Which way should we go up?" And Jehoram answered, "Through the wilderness of Edom."
No Water in the Wilderness
9So the king of Israel went, and the king of Judah, and the king of Edom: and they fetched a compass of seven days’ journey: and there was no water for the host, and for the cattle that followed them.
9So the king of Israel set out with the king of Judah and the king of Edom. After they had marched around for seven days, there was no water for the army or for the animals with them.
10And the king of Israel said, Alas! that the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab!
10The king of Israel said, "Oh no! The LORD has called these three kings together only to hand them over to Moab!"
11But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may enquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israel’s servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah.
11But Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there no prophet of the LORD here through whom we can ask the LORD?" One of the king of Israel's servants answered, "Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah."
12And Jehoshaphat said, The word of the LORD is with him. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.
12Jehoshaphat said, "The word of the LORD is with him." So the king of Israel, Jehoshaphat, and the king of Edom went down to him.
Elisha Speaks for Jehoshaphat's Sake
13And Elisha said unto the king of Israel, What have I to do with thee? get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother. And the king of Israel said unto him, Nay: for the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab.
13Elisha said to the king of Israel, "What do I have to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father and the prophets of your mother." But the king of Israel said to him, "No, for it is the LORD who has called these three kings together to hand them over to Moab."
14And Elisha said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee.
14Elisha said, "As surely as the LORD of hosts lives, the One I serve, if I did not respect the presence of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, I would not so much as look at you or notice you.
15But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.
15But now bring me someone who plays the harp." And while the musician played, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha,
Water Without Rain
16And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches.
16and he said, "This is what the LORD says: Dig this valley full of ditches.
17For thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts.
17For this is what the LORD says: You will not see wind or rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you will drink, you and your cattle and your other animals.
18And this is but a light thing in the sight of the LORD: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand.
18And this is only a small thing in the sight of the LORD. He will also hand the Moabites over to you.
19And ye shall smite every fenced city, and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree, and stop all wells of water, and mar every good piece of land with stones.
19You will conquer every fortified city and every important town. You will cut down every good tree, stop up every spring of water, and ruin every good field with stones."
Water Red as Blood
20And it came to pass in the morning, when the meat offering was offered, that, behold, there came water by the way of Edom, and the country was filled with water.
20The next morning, at the time of the grain offering, water came flowing from the direction of Edom, and the land was filled with water.
21And when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up to fight against them, they gathered all that were able to put on armour, and upward, and stood in the border.
21Now when all the Moabites heard that the kings had come up to fight them, they called up everyone old enough to carry weapons, and they took their stand at the border.
22And they rose up early in the morning, and the sun shone upon the water, and the Moabites saw the water on the other side as red as blood:
22When they got up early in the morning, the sun was shining on the water, and from where the Moabites stood the water across from them looked as red as blood.
23And they said, This is blood: the kings are surely slain, and they have smitten one another: now therefore, Moab, to the spoil.
23"That is blood!" they said. "The kings must have fought and killed one another. Now, Moab, go take the plunder!"
Moab Broken
24And when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and smote the Moabites, so that they fled before them: but they went forward smiting the Moabites, even in their country.
24But when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and attacked the Moabites, who fled before them. And the Israelites pressed on into the land, striking down the Moabites as they went.
25And they beat down the cities, and on every good piece of land cast every man his stone, and filled it; and they stopped all the wells of water, and felled all the good trees: only in Kirharaseth left they the stones thereof; howbeit the slingers went about it, and smote it.
25They tore down the cities, and every man threw a stone onto every good field until it was covered. They stopped up every spring of water and cut down every good tree. Only Kirharaseth was left with its stone walls standing, and the men with slings surrounded it and attacked it.
The Sacrifice on the Wall
26And when the king of Moab saw that the battle was too sore for him, he took with him seven hundred men that drew swords, to break through even unto the king of Edom: but they could not.
26When the king of Moab saw that the battle was going against him, he took seven hundred swordsmen with him to try to break through to the king of Edom, but they could not.
27Then he took his eldest son that should have reigned in his stead, and offered him for a burnt offering upon the wall. And there was great indignation against Israel: and they departed from him, and returned to their own land.
27Then he took his oldest son, who was to have been king after him, and offered him as a burnt offering on the city wall. Great fury broke out against Israel, and they withdrew from him and went back to their own land.
IV
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Widow's Oil
1Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.
1Now the wife of one of the company of prophets cried out to Elisha, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he feared the LORD. But now a creditor is coming to take my two sons as his slaves."
2And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.
2Elisha said to her, "What can I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?" She said, "Your servant has nothing at all in the house except a jar of oil."
3Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.
3Then he said, "Go and borrow jars from all your neighbors, empty jars, and not just a few.
4And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.
4Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all those jars, and set each one aside as it is filled."
5So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out.
5So she left him and shut the door behind herself and her sons. They kept bringing the jars to her, and she kept pouring.
6And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.
6When the jars were all full, she said to her son, "Bring me another jar." But he said, "There are no more." Then the oil stopped flowing.
7Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.
7She went and told the man of God, and he said, "Go, sell the oil and pay your debt. Then you and your sons can live on what is left."
A Room on the Roof
8And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.
8One day Elisha went to Shunem, where there was a wealthy woman who urged him to stay for a meal. After that, whenever he passed through, he would stop there to eat.
9And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.
9She said to her husband, "I am sure that this man who comes by so often is a holy man of God.
10Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.
10Let's build a small room on the roof and put in it a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp for him. Then whenever he comes to us, he can stay there."
A Son Promised
11And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there.
11One day when Elisha came, he went up to the room and lay down there.
12And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.
12He said to his servant Gehazi, "Call this Shunammite woman." So he called her, and she came and stood before him.
13And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people.
13Elisha said to Gehazi, "Tell her, 'You have gone to all this trouble for us. What can be done for you? Would you like us to speak to the king or the commander of the army on your behalf?'" She answered, "I am content living among my own people."
14And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.
14"Then what can be done for her?" Elisha asked. Gehazi answered, "Well, she has no son, and her husband is old."
15And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.
15"Call her," he said. So he called her, and she stood in the doorway.
16And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.
16Elisha said, "About this time next year, you will be holding a son in your arms." "No, my lord," she said. "Man of God, do not lie to your servant."
17And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.
17But the woman became pregnant, and the next year at that same time she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her.
The Boy Dies
18And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers.
18When the child had grown, he went out one day to his father, who was with the harvest workers.
19And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother.
19He said to his father, "My head! My head!" His father said to a servant, "Carry him to his mother."
20And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died.
20The servant picked him up and carried him to his mother, and the boy sat on her lap until noon, and then he died.
21And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out.
21She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, shut the door, and went out.
The Ride to Carmel
22And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again.
22She called to her husband and said, "Please send me one of the servants and a donkey, so I can hurry to the man of God and come back."
23And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well.
23"Why go to him today?" he asked. "It is not the new moon or the Sabbath." She said, "It will be all right."
24Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee.
24Then she saddled the donkey and told her servant, "Lead on, and go fast. Do not slow down for me unless I tell you."
25So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite:
25So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her in the distance, he said to his servant Gehazi, "Look, there is the Shunammite woman.
It Is Well
26Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well.
26Run to meet her and ask her, 'Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is the child all right?'" And she answered, "Everything is all right."
27And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the LORD hath hid it from me, and hath not told me.
27But when she reached the man of God on the hill, she took hold of his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, "Leave her alone. She is in deep distress, and the LORD has hidden the reason from me and has not told me."
28Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me?
28Then she said, "Did I ask you for a son, my lord? Didn't I tell you not to raise my hopes?"
The Staff That Does Nothing
29Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child.
29Elisha said to Gehazi, "Tuck your robe into your belt, take my staff in your hand, and go. If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not answer. Lay my staff on the boy's face."
30And the mother of the child said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her.
30But the boy's mother said, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So Elisha got up and followed her.
31And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked.
31Gehazi went on ahead of them and laid the staff on the boy's face, but there was no sound and no sign of life. So he went back to meet Elisha and told him, "The boy has not woken up."
The Boy Restored
32And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed.
32When Elisha came into the house, there was the boy, lying dead on his bed.
33He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD.
33He went in, shut the door on the two of them, and prayed to the LORD.
34And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.
34Then he got up on the bed and lay on the child, putting his mouth on the boy's mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. As he stretched himself out over him, the child's body grew warm.
35Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.
35Elisha got up, walked back and forth in the house, and then got up on the bed and stretched himself out over him again. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes.
36And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son.
36Elisha called Gehazi and said, "Call the Shunammite woman." So he called her, and when she came in, Elisha said, "Take your son."
37Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.
37She came in, fell at his feet, and bowed to the ground. Then she picked up her son and went out.
Death in the Pot
38And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and there was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him: and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets.
38Elisha went back to Gilgal, and there was a famine in that region. While the company of prophets was sitting with him, he said to his servant, "Put the large pot on the fire and cook some stew for the prophets."
39And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred them into the pot of pottage: for they knew them not.
39One of them went out into the field to gather herbs. He found a wild vine and picked a lapful of its wild gourds, then came back and cut them up into the pot of stew, though no one knew what they were.
40So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof.
40The stew was served to the men, but as they began to eat it, they cried out, "Man of God, there is death in the pot!" And they could not eat it.
41But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast it into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot.
41Elisha said, "Bring some flour." He threw it into the pot and said, "Serve it to the people so they can eat." And there was nothing harmful in the pot anymore.
Bread for a Hundred
42And there came a man from Baalshalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk thereof. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat.
42A man came from Baalshalisha, bringing the man of God twenty loaves of barley bread made from the first grain of the harvest, along with some fresh heads of grain still in the husk. Elisha said, "Give it to the people to eat."
43And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the LORD, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof.
43His servant said, "How can I set this in front of a hundred men?" But Elisha said again, "Give it to the people to eat, for this is what the LORD says: They will eat, and there will be some left over."
44So he set it before them, and they did eat, and left thereof, according to the word of the LORD.
44So he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, just as the LORD had said.
V
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
A Captured Girl Speaks
1Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper.
1Now Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man in his master's eyes and highly respected, because through him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty warrior, but he had leprosy.
2And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman’s wife.
2Syrian raiding parties had gone out and carried off a young girl from the land of Israel, and she served Naaman's wife.
3And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.
3She said to her mistress, "If only my master would go to the prophet who is in Samaria! He would heal him of his leprosy."
4And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel.
4Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from the land of Israel had said.
A Letter Between Kings
5And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment.
5The king of Syria said, "Go ahead, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel." So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand pieces of gold, and ten sets of clothing.
6And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, Now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have therewith sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy.
6He brought the letter to the king of Israel. It said, "When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent my servant Naaman to you so that you may heal him of his leprosy."
7And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me.
7When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, "Am I God, able to kill and bring back to life, that this man sends someone to me to be healed of leprosy? Look and see for yourselves how he is trying to pick a fight with me."
8And it was so, when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.
8When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent this message to the king: "Why have you torn your clothes? Let the man come to me, and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel."
Naaman's Anger
9So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.
9So Naaman came with his horses and chariot and stopped at the door of Elisha's house.
10And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.
10Elisha sent a messenger out to him, saying, "Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be clean."
11But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.
11But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, "I thought he would surely come out to me, stand there, call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot, and cure my leprosy.
12Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.
12Aren't Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn't I wash in them and be clean?" So he turned and went off in a rage.
Seven Times in the Jordan
13And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?
13But his servants came to him and said, "My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, wouldn't you have done it? So how much more when he only says to you, 'Wash and be clean'?"
14Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
14So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
No Payment Taken
15And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.
15Then he went back to the man of God with all his company, and he came and stood before him and said, "Now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant."
16But he said, As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused.
16But Elisha said, "As surely as the LORD lives, the One I serve, I will not accept anything." Naaman urged him to take it, but he refused.
Two Mules' Load of Earth
17And Naaman said, Shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules’ burden of earth? for thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the LORD.
17Then Naaman said, "If you will not, then please let your servant be given as much earth as two mules can carry, because from now on your servant will offer no burnt offering or sacrifice to any other god, but only to the LORD.
18In this thing the LORD pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon thy servant in this thing.
18May the LORD forgive your servant for one thing: when my master goes into the temple of Rimmon to worship there and leans on my arm, and I bow down in the temple of Rimmon. When I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD forgive your servant for this."
19And he said unto him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way.
19Elisha said to him, "Go in peace." So Naaman left him and had gone a short distance
Gehazi's Errand
20But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.
20when Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said to himself, "My master has let this Syrian, Naaman, off too easily by not accepting what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him."
21So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well?
21So Gehazi hurried after Naaman. When Naaman saw him running after him, he got down from his chariot to meet him and asked, "Is everything all right?"
22And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments.
22"Everything is all right," Gehazi said. "My master has sent me to say, 'Two young men from the company of prophets in the hill country of Ephraim have just come to me. Please give them a talent of silver and two sets of clothing.'"
23And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him.
23Naaman said, "Please, take two talents." He urged him, tied up two talents of silver in two bags along with two sets of clothing, and gave them to two of his servants, who carried them ahead of Gehazi.
24And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed.
24When Gehazi came to the hill, he took the things from the servants and put them away in the house. Then he sent the men off, and they left.
Leprosy Clings to Gehazi
25But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither.
25Then he went in and stood before his master. Elisha asked him, "Where have you been, Gehazi?" "Your servant did not go anywhere," he answered.
26And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?
26But Elisha said to him, "Was my spirit not with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this a time to take money, or to take clothing, olive groves, vineyards, sheep, oxen, and male and female servants?
27The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.
27Naaman's leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever." And Gehazi went out from his presence with leprosy, his skin as white as snow.
VI
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Axe Head Recovered
1And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us.
1The sons of the prophets said to Elisha, "Look, the place where we live with you is too cramped for us.
2Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered, Go ye.
2Please let us go to the Jordan. Each of us will take a log from there, and we will build ourselves a place to live." He answered, "Go ahead."
3And one said, Be content, I pray thee, and go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go.
3One of them said, "Please be willing to come along with your servants." He answered, "I will come."
4So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood.
4So he went with them. When they reached the Jordan, they began cutting down trees.
5But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed.
5But as one of them was chopping down a log, the iron axe head fell into the water. He cried out, "Oh no, master! It was borrowed!"
6And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim.
6The man of God asked, "Where did it fall?" He showed him the spot. Then Elisha cut off a stick and threw it in there, and the iron floated.
7Therefore said he, Take it up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it.
7"Pick it up," he said. So the man reached out his hand and took it.
The Prophet Who Hears Everything
8Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp.
8Now the king of Syria was at war with Israel. He met with his officers and said, "My camp will be in such and such a place."
9And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down.
9But the man of God sent word to the king of Israel: "Be careful not to pass by that place, because the Syrians are going down there."
10And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice.
10So the king of Israel sent men to the place the man of God had told him about and warned him of, and he kept himself safe there, not once or twice but many times.
11Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not shew me which of us is for the king of Israel?
11This deeply troubled the king of Syria. He called his officers and said to them, "Won't you tell me which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?"
12And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.
12One of his officers said, "None of us, my lord the king. It is Elisha, the prophet in Israel, who tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom."
Horses and Chariots of Fire
13And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan.
13The king said, "Go and find out where he is, so I can send men to capture him." He was told, "He is in Dothan."
14Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.
14So he sent horses, chariots, and a large army there. They arrived by night and surrounded the city.
15And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
15When the servant of the man of God got up early and went outside, there was an army with horses and chariots surrounding the city. His servant said to him, "Oh no, my master! What are we going to do?"
16And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
16He answered, "Don't be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."
17And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
17Then Elisha prayed, "LORD, please open his eyes so that he may see." The LORD opened the young man's eyes, and he looked, and the hillside was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Blindness and a Walk to Samaria
18And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
18As the Syrians came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, "Please strike these people with blindness." And he struck them with blindness, just as Elisha had asked.
19And Elisha said unto them, This is not the way, neither is this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek. But he led them to Samaria.
19Elisha said to them, "This is not the road, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will take you to the man you are looking for." But he led them to Samaria.
20And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.
20When they had entered Samaria, Elisha said, "LORD, open the eyes of these men so they can see." The LORD opened their eyes, and they looked, and there they were, right in the middle of Samaria.
Bread Instead of the Sword
21And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them?
21When the king of Israel saw them, he said to Elisha, "My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?"
22And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.
22He answered, "You must not kill them. Would you kill men you had captured with your own sword and bow? Set bread and water before them so they can eat and drink and then go back to their master."
23And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.
23So the king prepared a great feast for them, and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went back to their master. After that, the raiding bands of Syria stopped coming into the land of Israel.
Samaria Under Siege
24And it came to pass after this, that Benhadad king of Syria gathered all his host, and went up, and besieged Samaria.
24Some time later, Benhadad king of Syria gathered his whole army, marched up, and laid siege to Samaria.
25And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass’s head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove’s dung for five pieces of silver.
25There was a terrible famine in Samaria. The siege went on so long that a donkey's head sold for eighty pieces of silver, and a quarter of a cab of dove's dung for five pieces of silver.
Two Mothers on the Wall
26And as the king of Israel was passing by upon the wall, there cried a woman unto him, saying, Help, my lord, O king.
26As the king of Israel was walking along the city wall, a woman cried out to him, "Help me, my lord the king!"
27And he said, If the LORD do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? out of the barnfloor, or out of the winepress?
27He said, "If the LORD doesn't help you, where can I find help for you? From the threshing floor? From the winepress?"
28And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may eat him to day, and we will eat my son to morrow.
28Then the king asked her, "What is the matter?" She answered, "This woman said to me, 'Give up your son so we can eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow.'
29So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son.
29So we boiled my son and ate him. The next day I said to her, 'Give up your son so we can eat him,' but she has hidden her son."
30And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes; and he passed by upon the wall, and the people looked, and, behold, he had sackcloth within upon his flesh.
30When the king heard the woman's words, he tore his clothes. As he walked along the wall, the people looked and saw that he was wearing sackcloth underneath, against his skin.
The King Blames the Prophet
31Then he said, God do so and more also to me, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day.
31He said, "May God do so to me, and even more, if the head of Elisha son of Shaphat stays on his shoulders today!"
32But Elisha sat in his house, and the elders sat with him; and the king sent a man from before him: but ere the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, See ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away mine head? look, when the messenger cometh, shut the door, and hold him fast at the door: is not the sound of his master’s feet behind him?
32Now Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. The king sent a man ahead of him, but before the messenger arrived, Elisha said to the elders, "Do you see how this son of a murderer has sent someone to take off my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door and hold it shut against him. Isn't that the sound of his master's footsteps behind him?"
33And while he yet talked with them, behold, the messenger came down unto him: and he said, Behold, this evil is of the LORD; what should I wait for the LORD any longer?
33While he was still talking with them, the messenger came down to him, and the king said, "Look, this disaster is from the LORD. Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?"
VII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Flour for a Shekel Tomorrow
1Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the LORD; Thus saith the LORD, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.
1Then Elisha said, "Listen to the word of the LORD. This is what the LORD says: About this time tomorrow, at the gate of Samaria, a measure of fine flour will sell for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel."
2Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.
2The officer on whose arm the king leaned answered the man of God, "Look, even if the LORD opened windows in heaven, could this really happen?" Elisha said, "You will see it with your own eyes, but you will not eat any of it."
Four Men Walk Into the Enemy Camp
3And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?
3Now there were four men with leprosy at the entrance to the city gate. They said to one another, "Why are we sitting here until we die?
4If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.
4If we say, 'Let's go into the city,' the famine is there, and we will die there. If we sit still here, we will die too. So come on, let's go over to the camp of the Syrians. If they let us live, we live; if they kill us, we would have died anyway."
5And they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the camp of the Syrians: and when they were come to the uttermost part of the camp of Syria, behold, there was no man there.
5So they got up at dusk to go to the camp of the Syrians. But when they reached the edge of the Syrian camp, there was no one there.
6For the LORD had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.
6For the LORD had made the Syrian army hear the noise of chariots and horses, the noise of a huge army, and they had said to one another, "Look, the king of Israel has hired the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians to attack us!"
7Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life.
7So they had gotten up and fled at dusk, leaving their tents, their horses, and their donkeys. They left the camp just as it was and ran for their lives.
8And when these lepers came to the uttermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and did eat and drink, and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid it; and came again, and entered into another tent, and carried thence also, and went and hid it.
8When these lepers reached the edge of the camp, they went into one tent and ate and drank. They carried off silver, gold, and clothing and went and hid it. Then they came back, entered another tent, carried things off from there too, and went and hid them.
A Day of Good News
9Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king’s household.
9Then they said to one another, "We are not doing right. This is a day of good news, and we are keeping quiet about it. If we wait until daylight, some punishment will come on us. So come on, let's go and tell the king's household."
10So they came and called unto the porter of the city: and they told them, saying, We came to the camp of the Syrians, and, behold, there was no man there, neither voice of man, but horses tied, and asses tied, and the tents as they were.
10So they went and called to the gatekeepers of the city and told them, "We went to the camp of the Syrians, and there was no one there, not a human voice, only horses tied up and donkeys tied up, and the tents left just as they were."
11And he called the porters; and they told it to the king’s house within.
11The gatekeepers called out the news, and it was reported inside the king's house.
The King Suspects a Trap
12And the king arose in the night, and said unto his servants, I will now shew you what the Syrians have done to us. They know that we be hungry; therefore are they gone out of the camp to hide themselves in the field, saying, When they come out of the city, we shall catch them alive, and get into the city.
12The king got up in the night and said to his officers, "Let me tell you what the Syrians have done to us. They know we are starving, so they have left the camp to hide in the fields, thinking, 'When they come out of the city, we will capture them alive and get into the city.'"
13And one of his servants answered and said, Let some take, I pray thee, five of the horses that remain, which are left in the city, (behold, they are as all the multitude of Israel that are left in it: behold, I say, they are even as all the multitude of the Israelites that are consumed:) and let us send and see.
13One of his officers answered, "Please let some men take five of the horses that are left in the city. Look, they are no worse off than all the rest of Israel that is left here; really, they are like the whole crowd of Israelites who are already dying. Let's send them and find out."
14They took therefore two chariot horses; and the king sent after the host of the Syrians, saying, Go and see.
14So they took two chariots with their horses, and the king sent them after the Syrian army, saying, "Go and see."
15And they went after them unto Jordan: and, lo, all the way was full of garments and vessels, which the Syrians had cast away in their haste. And the messengers returned, and told the king.
15They followed them as far as the Jordan, and the whole road was littered with clothing and equipment the Syrians had thrown away in their hurry. The messengers came back and reported to the king.
The Word Comes True at the Gate
16And the people went out, and spoiled the tents of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD.
16Then the people went out and plundered the camp of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, just as the LORD had said.
17And the king appointed the lord on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate: and the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died, as the man of God had said, who spake when the king came down to him.
17Now the king had put the officer on whose arm he leaned in charge of the gate, and the people trampled him in the gateway, and he died, just as the man of God had said when the king came down to him.
18And it came to pass as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, Two measures of barley for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel, shall be to morrow about this time in the gate of Samaria:
18It happened exactly as the man of God had told the king: "About this time tomorrow, at the gate of Samaria, two measures of barley will sell for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel."
19And that lord answered the man of God, and said, Now, behold, if the LORD should make windows in heaven, might such a thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.
19That officer had answered the man of God, "Look, even if the LORD opened windows in heaven, could such a thing happen?" And Elisha had said, "You will see it with your own eyes, but you will not eat any of it."
20And so it fell out unto him: for the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died.
20And that is exactly what happened to him: the people trampled him in the gateway, and he died.
VIII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Shunammite Gets Her Land Back
1Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years.
1Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had brought back to life, "Get up and go with your household, and stay wherever you can, because the LORD has called for a famine, and it will come on the land for seven years."
2And the woman arose, and did after the saying of the man of God: and she went with her household, and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years.
2So the woman got up and did what the man of God said. She went with her household and stayed in the land of the Philistines for seven years.
3And it came to pass at the seven years’ end, that the woman returned out of the land of the Philistines: and she went forth to cry unto the king for her house and for her land.
3At the end of the seven years, the woman came back from the land of the Philistines, and she went to appeal to the king for her house and her land.
4And the king talked with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, Tell me, I pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done.
4Now the king was talking with Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, and had said, "Tell me all the great things Elisha has done."
5And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life.
5Just as Gehazi was telling the king how Elisha had brought a dead body back to life, the woman whose son he had restored came to appeal to the king for her house and her land. Gehazi said, "My lord the king, this is the woman, and this is her son whom Elisha brought back to life."
6And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed unto her a certain officer, saying, Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now.
6The king asked the woman about it, and she told him. Then the king assigned an officer to her case and said, "Give back everything that was hers, along with all the income from her fields from the day she left the land until now."
Hazael Sent to the Prophet
7And Elisha came to Damascus; and Benhadad the king of Syria was sick; and it was told him, saying, The man of God is come hither.
7Elisha went to Damascus while Benhadad king of Syria was sick. The king was told, "The man of God has come here."
8And the king said unto Hazael, Take a present in thine hand, and go, meet the man of God, and enquire of the LORD by him, saying, Shall I recover of this disease?
8The king said to Hazael, "Take a gift with you and go meet the man of God. Ask the LORD through him whether I will recover from this illness."
9So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels’ burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Benhadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease?
9So Hazael went to meet him, taking a gift of all the finest things of Damascus, forty camel loads. He came and stood before him and said, "Your son Benhadad king of Syria has sent me to ask you, 'Will I recover from this illness?'"
10And Elisha said unto him, Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover: howbeit the LORD hath shewed me that he shall surely die.
10Elisha said to him, "Go and tell him, 'You will certainly recover.' But the LORD has shown me that he will surely die."
Elisha Weeps and Benhadad Dies
11And he settled his countenance stedfastly, until he was ashamed: and the man of God wept.
11Then Elisha fixed his gaze on him and stared until Hazael was embarrassed, and the man of God began to weep.
12And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child.
12Hazael asked, "Why is my lord weeping?" He answered, "Because I know the harm you will do to the people of Israel. You will set their fortresses on fire, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little children to pieces, and rip open their pregnant women."
13And Hazael said, But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? And Elisha answered, The LORD hath shewed me that thou shalt be king over Syria.
13Hazael said, "But what is your servant, a mere dog, that he could do such a terrible thing?" Elisha answered, "The LORD has shown me that you will be king over Syria."
14So he departed from Elisha, and came to his master; who said to him, What said Elisha to thee? And he answered, He told me that thou shouldest surely recover.
14Then he left Elisha and went back to his master, who asked him, "What did Elisha say to you?" He answered, "He told me you will certainly recover."
15And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took a thick cloth, and dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died: and Hazael reigned in his stead.
15But the next day Hazael took a thick cloth, soaked it in water, and spread it over the king's face, and he died. Then Hazael became king in his place.
Jehoram of Judah
16And in the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel, Jehoshaphat being then king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Je hoshaphat king of Judah began to reign.
16In the fifth year of Joram son of Ahab king of Israel, while Jehoshaphat was still king of Judah, Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah began to reign.
17Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
17He was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
18And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD.
18He followed the ways of the kings of Israel, just as the house of Ahab had done, for he was married to Ahab's daughter. He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD.
19Yet the LORD would not destroy Judah for David his servant’s sake, as he promised him to give him alway a light, and to his children.
19Yet the LORD was not willing to destroy Judah, for the sake of his servant David, since he had promised to keep a lamp burning for him and his descendants forever.
Edom Breaks Away
20In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and made a king over themselves.
20In his days Edom rebelled against Judah's rule and set up a king of its own.
21So Joram went over to Zair, and all the chariots with him: and he rose by night, and smote the Edomites which compassed him about, and the captains of the chariots: and the people fled into their tents.
21So Joram crossed over to Zair with all his chariots. He rose up by night and broke through the Edomites who had surrounded him and their chariot commanders, but his troops fled back to their tents.
22Yet Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. Then Libnah revolted at the same time.
22So Edom has been in rebellion against Judah's rule to this day. Libnah rebelled at the same time.
23And the rest of the acts of Joram, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
23The rest of the acts of Joram, and everything he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
24And Joram slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.
24Joram died and was buried with his ancestors in the city of David, and his son Ahaziah became king in his place.
Ahaziah and the House of Ahab
25In the twelfth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel did Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah begin to reign.
25In the twelfth year of Joram son of Ahab king of Israel, Ahaziah son of Jehoram king of Judah began to reign.
26Two and twenty years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Athaliah, the daughter of Omri king of Israel.
26Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Athaliah, the daughter of Omri king of Israel.
27And he walked in the way of the house of Ahab, and did evil in the sight of the LORD, as did the house of Ahab: for he was the son in law of the house of Ahab.
27He followed the ways of the house of Ahab and did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, just as the house of Ahab had done, for he was related to the house of Ahab by marriage.
28And he went with Joram the son of Ahab to the war against Hazael king of Syria in Ramothgilead; and the Syrians wounded Joram.
28He went with Joram son of Ahab to fight against Hazael king of Syria at Ramothgilead, and the Syrians wounded Joram.
29And king Joram went back to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Syria. And Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Joram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was sick.
29King Joram went back to Jezreel to recover from the wounds the Syrians had given him at Ramah when he fought Hazael king of Syria. And Ahaziah son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to Jezreel to visit Joram son of Ahab, because he was wounded.
IX
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
A Prophet Anoints Jehu
1And Elisha the prophet called one of the children of the prophets, and said unto him, Gird up thy loins, and take this box of oil in thine hand, and go to Ramothgilead:
1Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, "Tuck your robe into your belt, take this flask of oil in your hand, and go to Ramothgilead.
2And when thou comest thither, look out there Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi, and go in, and make him arise up from among his brethren, and carry him to an inner chamber;
2When you get there, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. Go in, get him up from among his companions, and take him into an inner room.
3Then take the box of oil, and pour it on his head, and say, Thus saith the LORD, I have anointed thee king over Israel. Then open the door, and flee, and tarry not.
3Then take the flask of oil, pour it on his head, and say, 'This is what the LORD says: I have anointed you king over Israel.' Then open the door and run. Don't wait around."
4So the young man, even the young man the prophet, went to Ramothgilead.
4So the young man, the young prophet, went to Ramothgilead.
5And when he came, behold, the captains of the host were sitting; and he said, I have an errand to thee, O captain. And Jehu said, Unto which of all us? And he said, To thee, O captain.
5When he arrived, the army commanders were sitting together. He said, "I have a message for you, commander." Jehu asked, "For which one of us?" He said, "For you, commander."
6And he arose, and went into the house; and he poured the oil on his head, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I have anointed thee king over the people of the LORD, even over Israel.
6Jehu got up and went into the house. Then the young man poured the oil on his head and said to him, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I have anointed you king over the people of the LORD, over Israel.
7And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of Jezebel.
7You are to strike down the house of Ahab your master, so that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets and the blood of all the LORD's servants, shed by Jezebel.
8For the whole house of Ahab shall perish: and I will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel:
8The whole house of Ahab will perish. I will cut off from Ahab every last male in Israel, whether shut away or left free.
9And I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah:
9I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam son of Nebat and like the house of Baasha son of Ahijah.
10And the dogs shall eat Jezebel in the portion of Jezreel, and there shall be none to bury her. And he opened the door, and fled.
10And dogs will eat Jezebel on the plot of ground at Jezreel, and no one will bury her." Then he opened the door and ran.
The Officers Proclaim Him King
11Then Jehu came forth to the servants of his lord: and one said unto him, Is all well? wherefore came this mad fellow to thee? And he said unto them, Ye know the man, and his communication.
11When Jehu came back out to his master's officers, one of them asked him, "Is everything all right? Why did this madman come to you?" He answered, "You know the man and the kind of things he says."
12And they said, It is false; tell us now. And he said, Thus and thus spake he to me, saying, Thus saith the LORD, I have anointed thee king over Israel.
12"That's not true," they said. "Tell us now." So he said, "This is what he said to me: 'This is what the LORD says: I have anointed you king over Israel.'"
13Then they hasted, and took every man his garment, and put it under him on the top of the stairs, and blew with trumpets, saying, Jehu is king.
13Then they hurried, and each of them took his cloak and spread it under him on the bare steps. They blew the trumpet and shouted, "Jehu is king!"
He Driveth Furiously
14So Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi conspired against Joram. (Now Joram had kept Ramothgilead, he and all Israel, because of Hazael king of Syria.
14So Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi, plotted against Joram. (Now Joram and all Israel had been defending Ramothgilead against Hazael king of Syria,
15But king Joram was returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria.) And Jehu said, If it be your minds, then let none go forth nor escape out of the city to go to tell it in Jezreel.
15but King Joram had gone back to Jezreel to recover from the wounds the Syrians had given him when he fought Hazael king of Syria.) Jehu said, "If this is what you want, then let no one slip out of the city to go and tell the news in Jezreel."
16So Jehu rode in a chariot, and went to Jezreel; for Joram lay there. And Ahaziah king of Judah was come down to see Joram.
16Then Jehu got into his chariot and rode to Jezreel, because Joram was lying there, and Ahaziah king of Judah had come down to visit Joram.
17And there stood a watchman on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, I see a company. And Joram said, Take an horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say, Is it peace?
17The watchman standing on the tower in Jezreel saw Jehu's troops approaching and called out, "I see some troops coming." Joram said, "Get a horseman and send him to meet them, and have him ask, 'Do you come in peace?'"
18So there went one on horseback to meet him, and said, Thus saith the king, Is it peace? And Jehu said, What hast thou to do with peace? turn thee behind me. And the watchman told, saying, The messenger came to them, but he cometh not again.
18So a horseman rode out to meet him and said, "This is what the king asks: 'Do you come in peace?'" Jehu answered, "What do you have to do with peace? Fall in behind me." The watchman reported, "The messenger reached them, but he is not coming back."
19Then he sent out a second on horseback, which came to them, and said, Thus saith the king, Is it peace? And Jehu answered, What hast thou to do with peace? turn thee behind me.
19So the king sent out a second horseman, who came to them and said, "This is what the king asks: 'Do you come in peace?'" Jehu answered, "What do you have to do with peace? Fall in behind me."
20And the watchman told, saying, He came even unto them, and cometh not again: and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he driveth furiously.
20The watchman reported, "He reached them, but he is not coming back either. And the driving is like the driving of Jehu son of Nimshi; he drives like a madman."
Joram Killed in Naboth's Field
21And Joram said, Make ready. And his chariot was made ready. And Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah went out, each in his chariot, and they went out against Jehu, and met him in the portion of Naboth the Jezreelite.
21"Hitch up my chariot," Joram said. And his chariot was made ready. Then Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah rode out, each in his own chariot, to meet Jehu, and they met him on the plot of ground that had belonged to Naboth of Jezreel.
22And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?
22When Joram saw Jehu, he asked, "Do you come in peace, Jehu?" He answered, "What peace can there be, as long as your mother Jezebel's acts of prostitution and witchcraft are so many?"
23And Joram turned his hands, and fled, and said to Ahaziah, There is treachery, O Ahaziah.
23Joram turned his chariot around and fled, calling to Ahaziah, "Treachery, Ahaziah!"
24And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength, and smote Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot.
24But Jehu drew his bow with all his strength and shot Jehoram between the shoulders. The arrow came out through his heart, and he slumped down in his chariot.
25Then said Jehu to Bidkar his captain, Take up, and cast him in the portion of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite: for remember how that, when I and thou rode together after Ahab his father, the LORD laid this burden upon him;
25Jehu said to Bidkar, his officer, "Pick him up and throw him into the field that belonged to Naboth of Jezreel. Remember how, when you and I were riding together behind his father Ahab, the LORD spoke this sentence against him:
26Surely I have seen yesterday the blood of Naboth, and the blood of his sons, saith the LORD; and I will requite thee in this plat, saith the LORD. Now therefore take and cast him into the plat of ground, according to the word of the LORD.
26'Just as surely as I saw the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons yesterday,' says the LORD, 'I will make you pay for it on this very plot of ground,' says the LORD. So now pick him up and throw him onto that plot of ground, just as the LORD said."
The King of Judah Killed Too
27But when Ahaziah the king of Judah saw this, he fled by the way of the garden house. And Jehu followed after him, and said, Smite him also in the chariot. And they did so at the going up to Gur, which is by Ibleam. And he fled to Megiddo, and died there.
27When Ahaziah king of Judah saw what had happened, he fled up the road toward the garden house. Jehu chased after him, shouting, "Shoot him too, in his chariot!" They did so at the pass of Gur, near Ibleam. He escaped to Megiddo and died there.
28And his servants carried him in a chariot to Jerusalem, and buried him in his sepulchre with his fathers in the city of David.
28His servants carried him in a chariot to Jerusalem and buried him in his tomb with his ancestors in the city of David.
29And in the eleventh year of Joram the son of Ahab began Ahaziah to reign over Judah.
29Ahaziah had become king over Judah in the eleventh year of Joram son of Ahab.
Jezebel Thrown From the Window
30And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window.
30When Jehu arrived in Jezreel, Jezebel heard about it. She painted her face, arranged her hair, and looked out of a window.
31And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said, Had Zimri peace, who slew his master?
31As Jehu came in through the gate, she called out, "Did Zimri find peace, that murderer of his master?"
32And he lifted up his face to the window, and said, Who is on my side? who? And there looked out to him two or three eunuchs.
32He looked up at the window and said, "Who is on my side? Who?" Two or three officials looked down at him.
33And he said, Throw her down. So they threw her down: and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses: and he trode her under foot.
33"Throw her down!" he said. So they threw her down, and some of her blood splattered on the wall and on the horses, and he trampled her underfoot.
34And when he was come in, he did eat and drink, and said, Go, see now this cursed woman, and bury her: for she is a king’s daughter.
34Then he went inside and ate and drank. He said, "Now go see to that cursed woman and bury her, for she was a king's daughter."
35And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands.
35But when they went out to bury her, they found nothing left of her but the skull, the feet, and the palms of her hands.
36Wherefore they came again, and told him. And he said, This is the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel:
36They went back and told him. He said, "This is the word of the LORD, which he spoke through his servant Elijah the Tishbite: 'On the plot of ground at Jezreel, dogs will eat the flesh of Jezebel.
37And the carcase of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel; so that they shall not say, This is Jezebel.
37And Jezebel's body will lie like manure on the surface of the field on the plot of ground at Jezreel, so that no one will be able to say, "This is Jezebel."'"
X
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Seventy Heads in Baskets
1And Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. And Jehu wrote letters, and sent to Samaria, unto the rulers of Jezreel, to the elders, and to them that brought up Ahab’s children, saying,
1Now Ahab had seventy sons living in Samaria. Jehu wrote letters and sent them to Samaria, to the officials of Jezreel, to the elders, and to the guardians of Ahab's children. He said,
2Now as soon as this letter cometh to you, seeing your master’s sons are with you, and there are with you chariots and horses, a fenced city also, and armour;
2"As soon as this letter reaches you, since your master's sons are with you, and you have chariots and horses, a fortified city, and weapons,
3Look even out the best and meetest of your master’s sons, and set him on his father’s throne, and fight for your master’s house.
3pick out the best and most capable of your master's sons, set him on his father's throne, and fight for your master's house."
4But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, two kings stood not before him: how then shall we stand?
4But they were terrified and said, "Look, two kings could not stand up to him. How can we?"
5And he that was over the house, and he that was over the city, the elders also, and the bringers up of the children, sent to Jehu, saying, We are thy servants, and will do all that thou shalt bid us; we will not make any king: do thou that which is good in thine eyes.
5So the manager of the palace, the governor of the city, the elders, and the guardians sent this message to Jehu: "We are your servants, and we will do whatever you tell us. We will not make anyone king. Do whatever seems best to you."
6Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, If ye be mine, and if ye will hearken unto my voice, take ye the heads of the men your master’s sons, and come to me to Jezreel by to morrow this time. Now the king’s sons, being seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, which brought them up.
6Then Jehu wrote them a second letter: "If you are on my side and will obey me, take the heads of your master's sons and come to me at Jezreel by this time tomorrow." Now the king's sons, seventy in all, were living with the leading men of the city, who were raising them.
7And it came to pass, when the letter came to them, that they took the king’s sons, and slew seventy persons, and put their heads in baskets, and sent him them to Jezreel.
7When the letter reached them, they took the king's sons and killed all seventy of them. They put their heads in baskets and sent them to Jehu at Jezreel.
Two Heaps at the Gate
8And there came a messenger, and told him, saying, They have brought the heads of the king’s sons. And he said, Lay ye them in two heaps at the entering in of the gate until the morning.
8A messenger came and told him, "They have brought the heads of the king's sons." He said, "Pile them in two heaps at the entrance to the gate until morning."
9And it came to pass in the morning, that he went out, and stood, and said to all the people, Ye be righteous: behold, I conspired against my master, and slew him: but who slew all these?
9In the morning he went out, stood there, and said to all the people, "You are innocent. Look, it was I who plotted against my master and killed him. But who killed all of these?
10Know now that there shall fall unto the earth nothing of the word of the LORD, which the LORD spake concerning the house of Ahab: for the LORD hath done that which he spake by his servant Elijah.
10Know then that not one word the LORD spoke against the house of Ahab will fail to come true. The LORD has done what he promised through his servant Elijah."
11So Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his kinsfolks, and his priests, until he left him none remaining.
11So Jehu killed everyone who was left of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, along with all his leading men, his close friends, and his priests, until he had left him no survivor.
Ahaziah's Relatives at the Pit
12And he arose and departed, and came to Samaria. And as he was at the shearing house in the way,
12Then he set out and went toward Samaria. On the way, at the shearing house,
13Jehu met with the brethren of Ahaziah king of Judah, and said, Who are ye? And they answered, We are the brethren of Ahaziah; and we go down to salute the children of the king and the children of the queen.
13Jehu met the relatives of Ahaziah king of Judah and asked, "Who are you?" They answered, "We are relatives of Ahaziah, and we have come down to greet the families of the king and of the queen mother."
14And he said, Take them alive. And they took them alive, and slew them at the pit of the shearing house, even two and forty men; neither left he any of them.
14"Take them alive!" he ordered. So they took them alive and slaughtered them at the pit of the shearing house, forty-two men. He did not leave a single one of them alive.
Come and See My Zeal
15And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him: and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered, It is. If it be, give me thine hand. And he gave him his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot.
15After he left there, he came upon Jehonadab son of Rechab, who was coming to meet him. Jehu greeted him and said, "Is your heart loyal to me, as my heart is to you?" Jehonadab answered, "It is." "If it is," Jehu said, "give me your hand." He gave him his hand, and Jehu pulled him up into the chariot.
16And he said, Come with me, and see my zeal for the LORD. So they made him ride in his chariot.
16Jehu said, "Come with me and see my zeal for the LORD." So he had him ride along in his chariot.
17And when he came to Samaria, he slew all that remained unto Ahab in Samaria, till he had destroyed him, according to the saying of the LORD, which he spake to Elijah.
17When he came to Samaria, he killed everyone who was left of Ahab's family in Samaria, until he had wiped them out, just as the LORD had said through Elijah.
The Slaughter in the Temple of Baal
18And Jehu gathered all the people together, and said unto them, Ahab served Baal a little; but Jehu shall serve him much.
18Then Jehu gathered all the people together and said to them, "Ahab served Baal a little, but Jehu will serve him much more.
19Now therefore call unto me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests; let none be wanting: for I have a great sacrifice to do to Baal; whosoever shall be wanting, he shall not live. But Jehu did it in subtilty, to the intent that he might destroy the worshippers of Baal.
19So now, summon all the prophets of Baal, all his worshipers, and all his priests. Let no one be missing, because I have a great sacrifice to offer to Baal. Anyone who fails to come will not live." But Jehu was acting with cunning, in order to destroy the worshipers of Baal.
20And Jehu said, Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal. And they proclaimed it.
20Jehu said, "Announce a solemn assembly in honor of Baal." So they announced it.
21And Jehu sent through all Israel: and all the worshippers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left that came not. And they came into the house of Baal; and the house of Baal was full from one end to another.
21Jehu sent word throughout all Israel, and all the worshipers of Baal came; not one of them stayed away. They crowded into the temple of Baal until it was packed from one end to the other.
22And he said unto him that was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshippers of Baal. And he brought them forth vestments.
22He said to the keeper of the wardrobe, "Bring out robes for all the worshipers of Baal." So he brought out robes for them.
23And Jehu went, and Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house of Baal, and said unto the worshippers of Baal, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the servants of the LORD, but the worshippers of Baal only.
23Then Jehu and Jehonadab son of Rechab went into the temple of Baal, and Jehu said to the worshipers of Baal, "Search and make sure that there are no servants of the LORD here with you, only worshipers of Baal."
24And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu appointed fourscore men without, and said, If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his life shall be for the life of him.
24So they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had stationed eighty men outside and had told them, "If any of the men I am handing over to you escapes, whoever lets him get away will pay with his own life."
25And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go in, and slay them; let none come forth. And they smote them with the edge of the sword; and the guard and the captains cast them out, and went to the city of the house of Baal.
25As soon as Jehu had finished offering the burnt offering, he said to the guards and officers, "Go in and kill them. Let no one get out." So they cut them down with the sword, and the guards and officers threw the bodies out and then went on into the inner city of the temple of Baal.
26And they brought forth the images out of the house of Baal, and burned them.
26They brought the images out of the temple of Baal and burned them.
27And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house unto this day.
27They tore down the image of Baal and tore down the temple of Baal, and they turned it into a public toilet, which it still is to this day.
The Verdict on Jehu
28Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel.
28So Jehu wiped out Baal worship from Israel.
29Howbeit from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, Jehu departed not from after them, to wit, the golden calves that were in Bethel, and that were in Dan.
29However, Jehu did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had led Israel into sin: the worship of the golden calves at Bethel and at Dan.
30And the LORD said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.
30The LORD said to Jehu, "Because you have done well in carrying out what is right in my eyes, and have done to the house of Ahab everything I had in mind, your descendants will sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation."
31But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin.
31But Jehu was not careful to walk in the law of the LORD, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam, who had led Israel into sin.
Israel Cut Short
32In those days the LORD began to cut Israel short: and Hazael smote them in all the coasts of Israel;
32In those days the LORD began to cut Israel down in size. Hazael defeated the Israelites throughout their territory,
33From Jordan eastward, all the land of Gilead, the Gadites, and the Reubenites, and the Manassites, from Aroer, which is by the river Arnon, even Gilead and Bashan.
33from the Jordan eastward: all the land of Gilead, the territory of the Gadites, the Reubenites, and the Manassites, from Aroer by the Arnon River through Gilead and Bashan.
34Now the rest of the acts of Jehu, and all that he did, and all his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
34The rest of the acts of Jehu, everything he did, and all his achievements, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
35And Jehu slept with his fathers: and they buried him in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son reigned in his stead.
35Jehu died and was buried in Samaria, and his son Jehoahaz became king in his place.
36And the time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty and eight years.
36Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria for twenty-eight years.
XI
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Athaliah Kills the Royal Children
1And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal.
1When Athaliah, Ahaziah's mother, saw that her son was dead, she set out to wipe out the whole royal family.
2But Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king’s sons which were slain; and they hid him, even him and his nurse, in the bedchamber from Athaliah, so that he was not slain.
2But Jehosheba, King Joram's daughter and Ahaziah's sister, took Joash, Ahaziah's son, and slipped him away from among the king's sons who were being put to death. She hid him and his nurse in a bedroom, out of Athaliah's reach, so he was not killed.
3And he was with her hid in the house of the LORD six years. And Athaliah did reign over the land.
3He stayed hidden with her in the house of the LORD for six years, while Athaliah ruled over the land.
Jehoiada Lays the Plan
4And the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the rulers over hundreds, with the captains and the guard, and brought them to him into the house of the LORD, and made a covenant with them, and took an oath of them in the house of the LORD, and shewed them the king’s son.
4In the seventh year, Jehoiada sent for the commanders of hundreds, along with the captains and the guard, and brought them to him in the house of the LORD. He made a covenant with them and had them swear an oath there in the house of the LORD, and then he showed them the king's son.
5And he commanded them, saying, This is the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you that enter in on the sabbath shall even be keepers of the watch of the king’s house;
5He gave them their orders: "This is what you are to do. A third of you who come on duty on the Sabbath will keep watch over the king's house;
6And a third part shall be at the gate of Sur; and a third part at the gate behind the guard: so shall ye keep the watch of the house, that it be not broken down.
6a third will be at the Sur Gate; and a third at the gate behind the guard. That is how you will guard the house and keep it from being broken into.
7And two parts of all you that go forth on the sabbath, even they shall keep the watch of the house of the LORD about the king.
7The two groups of you who go off duty on the Sabbath will keep watch over the house of the LORD around the king.
8And ye shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand: and he that cometh within the ranges, let him be slain: and be ye with the king as he goeth out and as he cometh in.
8Surround the king on every side, each man with his weapons in hand. Anyone who comes inside the lines is to be killed. Stay with the king wherever he goes, in and out."
The Crown and the Testimony
9And the captains over the hundreds did according to all things that Jehoiada the priest commanded: and they took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that should go out on the sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest.
9The commanders of hundreds did everything Jehoiada the priest had ordered. Each one took his men, those coming on duty on the Sabbath together with those going off duty, and came to Jehoiada the priest.
10And to the captains over hundreds did the priest give king David’s spears and shields, that were in the temple of the LORD.
10The priest gave the commanders of hundreds the spears and shields that had belonged to King David, which were kept in the temple of the LORD.
11And the guard stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, round about the king, from the right corner of the temple to the left corner of the temple, along by the altar and the temple.
11The guards took their places, every man with his weapons in hand, all around the king, from the right side of the temple to the left, near the altar and the temple.
12And he brought forth the king’s son, and put the crown upon him, and gave him the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king.
12Then Jehoiada brought out the king's son, set the crown on him, and handed him the testimony. They made him king and anointed him, and they clapped their hands and shouted, "Long live the king!"
Treason, Treason
13And when Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people into the temple of the LORD.
13When Athaliah heard the noise of the guards and the people, she went to the people at the temple of the LORD.
14And when she looked, behold, the king stood by a pillar, as the manner was, and the princes and the trumpeters by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets: and Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Treason, Treason.
14She looked, and there was the king standing by a pillar, as the custom was, with the officers and trumpeters beside him, and all the people of the land celebrating and blowing trumpets. Athaliah tore her clothes and screamed, "Treason! Treason!"
15But Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of the hundreds, the officers of the host, and said unto them, Have her forth without the ranges: and him that followeth her kill with the sword. For the priest had said, Let her not be slain in the house of the LORD.
15But Jehoiada the priest commanded the commanders of hundreds, the officers of the army, "Take her out between the ranks, and kill anyone who follows her with the sword." For the priest had said, "She must not be killed in the house of the LORD."
16And they laid hands on her; and she went by the way by the which the horses came into the king’s house: and there was she slain.
16So they seized her, and as she went along the road the horses use to enter the king's house, she was put to death there.
The Covenant and the Boy on the Throne
17And Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD’s people; between the king also and the people.
17Then Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they would be the LORD's people; and he made one between the king and the people as well.
18And all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and brake it down; his altars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed officers over the house of the LORD.
18All the people of the land went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed his altars and his images completely and killed Mattan, the priest of Baal, in front of the altars. Then the priest placed officers in charge of the house of the LORD.
19And he took the rulers over hundreds, and the captains, and the guard, and all the people of the land; and they brought down the king from the house of the LORD, and came by the way of the gate of the guard to the king’s house. And he sat on the throne of the kings.
19He took the commanders of hundreds, the captains, the guard, and all the people of the land, and they escorted the king down from the house of the LORD, entering the king's house by way of the guards' gate. And he took his seat on the throne of the kings.
20And all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was in quiet: and they slew Athaliah with the sword beside the king’s house.
20All the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was calm, for Athaliah had been put to the sword beside the king's house.
21Seven years old was Jehoash when he began to reign.
21Jehoash was seven years old when he became king.
XII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Jehoash Begins to Reign
1In the seventh year of Jehu Jehoash began to reign; and forty years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Zibiah of Beersheba.
1Jehoash became king in the seventh year of Jehu, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zibiah, from Beersheba.
2And Jehoash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all his days wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him.
2Jehoash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the years that Jehoiada the priest taught him.
3But the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.
3Still, the high places were not removed; the people kept on sacrificing and burning incense at the high places.
Repairs That Never Happen
4And Jehoash said to the priests, All the money of the dedicated things that is brought into the house of the LORD, even the money of every one that passeth the account, the money that every man is set at, and all the money that cometh into any man’s heart to bring into the house of the LORD,
4Jehoash said to the priests, "All the money from the dedicated gifts that is brought into the house of the LORD, the money collected from each person who is counted, the money each man is assessed, and all the money anyone feels moved in his heart to bring to the house of the LORD,
5Let the priests take it to them, every man of his acquaintance: and let them repair the breaches of the house, wheresoever any breach shall be found.
5let the priests receive it, each from the people he knows, and let them use it to repair the house wherever any damage is found."
6But it was so, that in the three and twentieth year of king Jehoash the priests had not repaired the breaches of the house.
6But by the twenty-third year of King Jehoash the priests still had not repaired the damage to the house.
7Then king Jehoash called for Jehoiada the priest, and the other priests, and said unto them, Why repair ye not the breaches of the house? now therefore receive no more money of your acquaintance, but deliver it for the breaches of the house.
7So King Jehoash called in Jehoiada the priest and the other priests and asked them, "Why aren't you repairing the damage to the house? From now on, take no more money from the people you know, but hand it over for the repair of the house."
8And the priests consented to receive no more money of the people, neither to repair the breaches of the house.
8The priests agreed that they would collect no more money from the people and would not be the ones to repair the house.
The Chest Beside the Altar
9But Jehoiada the priest took a chest, and bored a hole in the lid of it, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one cometh into the house of the LORD: and the priests that kept the door put therein all the money that was brought into the house of the LORD.
9Then Jehoiada the priest took a chest, bored a hole in its lid, and set it beside the altar on the right side as people enter the house of the LORD. The priests who kept the door put into it all the money brought to the house of the LORD.
10And it was so, when they saw that there was much money in the chest, that the king’s scribe and the high priest came up, and they put up in bags, and told the money that was found in the house of the LORD.
10Whenever they saw that the chest held a lot of money, the king's secretary and the high priest came up, put it in bags, and counted the money that had been brought to the house of the LORD.
11And they gave the money, being told, into the hands of them that did the work, that had the oversight of the house of the LORD: and they laid it out to the carpenters and builders, that wrought upon the house of the LORD,
11Then they handed the counted money to the men in charge of the work on the house of the LORD, and they paid it out to the carpenters and builders working on the house of the LORD,
12And to masons, and hewers of stone, and to buy timber and hewed stone to repair the breaches of the house of the LORD, and for all that was laid out for the house to repair it.
12and to the masons and stonecutters, and used it to buy timber and cut stone to repair the damage to the house of the LORD, and for everything else spent on restoring the house.
Money for the Workmen
13Howbeit there were not made for the house of the LORD bowls of silver, snuffers, basons, trumpets, any vessels of gold, or vessels of silver, of the money that was brought into the house of the LORD:
13But none of the money brought to the house of the LORD was used to make silver bowls, wick trimmers, basins, trumpets, or any articles of gold or silver for the house of the LORD;
14But they gave that to the workmen, and repaired therewith the house of the LORD.
14it all went to the workmen, who used it to repair the house of the LORD.
15Moreover they reckoned not with the men, into whose hand they delivered the money to be bestowed on workmen: for they dealt faithfully.
15They did not ask for an accounting from the men they handed the money to for paying the workers, because those men dealt honestly.
16The trespass money and sin money was not brought into the house of the LORD: it was the priests’.
16The money from guilt offerings and sin offerings was not brought into the house of the LORD; it belonged to the priests.
The Temple Treasure Sent to Hazael
17Then Hazael king of Syria went up, and fought against Gath, and took it: and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem.
17About that time Hazael king of Syria marched up and attacked Gath and captured it. Then Hazael set his sights on Jerusalem.
18And Jehoash king of Judah took all the hallowed things that Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram, and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own hallowed things, and all the gold that was found in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and in the king’s house, and sent it to Hazael king of Syria: and he went away from Jerusalem.
18So Jehoash king of Judah took all the sacred gifts that his forefathers Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, and Ahaziah, kings of Judah, had dedicated, together with his own sacred gifts and all the gold found in the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the king's house, and sent it all to Hazael king of Syria. Then Hazael withdrew from Jerusalem.
Joash Killed by His Own Servants
19And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
19As for the rest of what Joash did, all his deeds, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
20And his servants arose, and made a conspiracy, and slew Joash in the house of Millo, which goeth down to Silla.
20His own officials rose up and plotted against him, and they killed Joash at the house of Millo, on the road down to Silla.
21For Jozachar the son of Shimeath, and Jehozabad the son of Shomer, his servants, smote him, and he died; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Amaziah his son reigned in his stead.
21It was his servants Jozachar son of Shimeath and Jehozabad son of Shomer who struck him down, and he died. They buried him with his fathers in the city of David, and his son Amaziah became king in his place.
XIII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Jehoahaz Under Syrian Oppression
1In the three and twentieth year of Joash the son of Ahaziah king of Judah Jehoahaz the son of Jehu began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned seventeen years.
1In the twenty-third year of Joash son of Ahaziah, king of Judah, Jehoahaz son of Jehu became king over Israel in Samaria, and he reigned seventeen years.
2And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom.
2He did what was evil in the eyes of the LORD and followed the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had led Israel into sin; he never turned away from them.
3And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he delivered them into the hand of Hazael king of Syria, and into the hand of Benhadad the son of Hazael, all their days.
3So the LORD's anger burned against Israel, and he handed them over to Hazael king of Syria and to Ben-hadad son of Hazael for all those years.
4And Jehoahaz besought the LORD, and the LORD hearkened unto him: for he saw the oppression of Israel, because the king of Syria oppressed them.
4Then Jehoahaz pleaded with the LORD, and the LORD listened to him, for he saw how Israel was being crushed under the oppression of the king of Syria.
5(And the LORD gave Israel a saviour, so that they went out from under the hand of the Syrians: and the children of Israel dwelt in their tents, as beforetime.
5(The LORD gave Israel a deliverer, so that they escaped from the grip of the Syrians, and the people of Israel lived in their homes as they had before.
6Nevertheless they departed not from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, who made Israel sin, but walked therein: and there remained the grove also in Samaria.)
6Even so, they did not turn from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, who had led Israel into sin, but kept walking in them; and the sacred pole still stood in Samaria.)
An Army Ground Down to Dust
7Neither did he leave of the people to Jehoahaz but fifty horsemen, and ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen; for the king of Syria had destroyed them, and had made them like the dust by threshing.
7Nothing was left of Jehoahaz's army but fifty horsemen, ten chariots, and ten thousand foot soldiers, for the king of Syria had destroyed the rest and made them like dust at threshing time.
8Now the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz, and all that he did, and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
8As for the rest of what Jehoahaz did, all his deeds and his power, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
9And Jehoahaz slept with his fathers; and they buried him in Samaria: and Joash his son reigned in his stead.
9Jehoahaz rested with his fathers and was buried in Samaria, and his son Joash became king in his place.
Jehoash Becomes King of Israel
10In the thirty and seventh year of Joash king of Judah began Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned sixteen years.
10In the thirty-seventh year of Joash king of Judah, Jehoash son of Jehoahaz became king over Israel in Samaria, and he reigned sixteen years.
11And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD; he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin: but he walked therein.
11He did what was evil in the eyes of the LORD. He did not turn from any of the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had led Israel into sin, but walked in them.
12And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, and his might wherewith he fought against Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
12As for the rest of what Joash did, all his deeds and the power with which he fought against Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
13And Joash slept with his fathers; and Jeroboam sat upon his throne: and Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.
13Joash rested with his fathers, and Jeroboam took his throne. Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.
The Arrows of Deliverance
14Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.
14Now Elisha had fallen ill with the sickness he would die from. Joash king of Israel went down to him and wept over him, crying, "My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!"
15And Elisha said unto him, Take bow and arrows. And he took unto him bow and arrows.
15Elisha said to him, "Get a bow and some arrows." So he got a bow and arrows.
16And he said to the king of Israel, Put thine hand upon the bow. And he put his hand upon it: and Elisha put his hands upon the king’s hands.
16Then he said to the king of Israel, "Put your hand on the bow." He did, and Elisha laid his own hands on the king's hands.
17And he said, Open the window eastward. And he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, The arrow of the LORD’s deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them.
17"Open the window toward the east," he said, and the king opened it. "Shoot," Elisha said, and he shot. Then Elisha said, "The LORD's arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Syria! You will strike down the Syrians at Aphek until you have finished them off."
18And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed.
18Then he said, "Take the arrows." The king took them. "Strike the ground," he told the king of Israel. He struck it three times and stopped.
19And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice.
19The man of God was angry with him and said, "You should have struck five or six times! Then you would have beaten Syria until you had wiped it out. But now you will defeat Syria only three times."
A Dead Man Touches Elisha's Bones
20And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year.
20Elisha died, and they buried him. Raiding bands of Moabites used to come into the land at the start of each year.
21And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.
21Once, as some men were burying a man, they spotted a raiding band, so they threw the body into Elisha's tomb. When the man was lowered in and touched Elisha's bones, he came back to life and stood up on his feet.
Mercy for the Sake of the Covenant
22But Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz.
22Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel throughout the reign of Jehoahaz.
23And the LORD was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet.
23But the LORD was gracious to them and had compassion on them and cared for them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He was not willing to destroy them, and he has not cast them out of his presence even to this day.
24So Hazael king of Syria died; and Benhadad his son reigned in his stead.
24Then Hazael king of Syria died, and his son Ben-hadad became king in his place.
25And Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again out of the hand of Benhadad the son of Hazael the cities, which he had taken out of the hand of Jehoahaz his father by war. Three times did Joash beat him, and recovered the cities of Israel.
25Jehoash son of Jehoahaz took back from Ben-hadad son of Hazael the towns that Hazael had taken in war from his father Jehoahaz. Three times Joash defeated him, and so he recovered the towns of Israel.
XIV
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Amaziah Keeps the Law About Children
1In the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel reigned Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah.
1In the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel, Amaziah son of Joash king of Judah became king.
2He was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.
2He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jehoaddan, from Jerusalem.
3And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, yet not like David his father: he did according to all things as Joash his father did.
3He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, though not as his ancestor David had done; he did everything just as his father Joash had done.
4Howbeit the high places were not taken away: as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places.
4Still, the high places were not removed; the people kept on sacrificing and burning incense at the high places.
5And it came to pass, as soon as the kingdom was confirmed in his hand, that he slew his servants which had slain the king his father.
5As soon as his hold on the kingdom was secure, he executed the officials who had murdered his father the king.
6But the children of the murderers he slew not: according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, wherein the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin.
6But he did not put the murderers' children to death, in keeping with what is written in the book of the law of Moses, where the LORD commanded, "Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children for their fathers; each person shall die for his own sin."
The Thistle and the Cedar
7He slew of Edom in the valley of salt ten thousand, and took Selah by war, and called the name of it Joktheel unto this day.
7He struck down ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt and captured Selah in battle, and he named it Joktheel, which is its name to this day.
8Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us look one another in the face.
8Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, son of Jehu, king of Israel, with the challenge, "Come, let us meet each other face to face."
9And Jehoash the 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.
9Jehoash king of Israel sent this answer 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 a wife.' Then a wild animal in Lebanon came along and trampled the thistle.
10Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thine heart hath lifted thee up: glory of this, and tarry at home: for why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?
10You have indeed defeated Edom, and it has gone to your head. Enjoy your glory and stay home! Why stir up trouble that will bring you down, you and Judah with you?"
Judah Beaten at Bethshemesh
11But Amaziah would not hear. Therefore Jehoash king of Israel went up; and he and Amaziah king of Judah looked one another in the face at Bethshemesh, which belongeth to Judah.
11But Amaziah would not listen. So Jehoash king of Israel marched out, and he and Amaziah king of Judah met each other face to face at Beth-shemesh in Judah.
12And Judah was put to the worse before Israel; and they fled every man to their tents.
12Judah was beaten by Israel, and every man fled to his own home.
13And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Bethshemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
13Jehoash king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah, son of Jehoash, son of Ahaziah, at Beth-shemesh. Then he went to Jerusalem and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the Ephraim Gate to the Corner Gate, a stretch of four hundred cubits.
14And he took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king’s house, and hostages, and returned to Samaria.
14He took all the gold and silver and all the articles found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the king's house, along with hostages, and returned to Samaria.
The Death of Jehoash
15Now the rest of the acts of Jehoash which he did, and his might, and how he fought with Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
15As for the rest of what Jehoash did, his power, and how he fought against Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
16And Jehoash slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel; and Jeroboam his son reigned in his stead.
16Jehoash rested with his fathers and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel, and his son Jeroboam became king in his place.
Amaziah Killed at Lachish
17And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years.
17Amaziah son of Joash, king of Judah, lived fifteen years after the death of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel.
18And the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
18As for the rest of what Amaziah did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
19Now they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem: and he fled to Lachish; but they sent after him to Lachish, and slew him there.
19A plot was formed against him in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish; but they sent men after him to Lachish and killed him there.
20And they brought him on horses: and he was buried at Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David.
20They brought his body back on horses, and he was buried in Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David.
21And all the people of Judah took Azariah, which was sixteen years old, and made him king instead of his father Amaziah.
21Then all the people of Judah took Azariah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah.
22He built Elath, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.
22He rebuilt Elath and restored it to Judah after the king had rested with his fathers.
Jeroboam the Second and the Word of Jonah
23In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel began to reign in Samaria, and reigned forty and one years.
23In the fifteenth year of Amaziah son of Joash, king of Judah, Jeroboam son of Joash king of Israel became king in Samaria, and he reigned forty-one years.
24And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.
24He did what was evil in the eyes of the LORD; he did not turn from any of the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had led Israel into sin.
25He restored the coast of Israel from the entering of Hamath unto the sea of the plain, according to the word of the LORD God of Israel, which he spake by the hand of his servant Jonah, the son of Amittai, the prophet, which was of Gathhepher.
25He restored Israel's border from the entrance of Hamath to the Sea of the Plain, just as the LORD God of Israel had said through his servant Jonah son of Amittai, the prophet from Gath-hepher.
26For the LORD saw the affliction of Israel, that it was very bitter: for there was not any shut up, nor any left, nor any helper for Israel.
26For the LORD saw how bitterly Israel was suffering; there was no one left, slave or free, and no one to help Israel.
27And the LORD said not that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven: but he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash.
27And since the LORD had not said he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, he saved them through Jeroboam son of Joash.
28Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, and all that he did, and his might, how he warred, and how he recovered Damascus, and Hamath, which belonged to Judah, for Israel, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
28As for the rest of what Jeroboam did, all his deeds and his power, how he fought and how he won back Damascus and Hamath, which had belonged to Judah, for Israel, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
29And Jeroboam slept with his fathers, even with the kings of Israel; and Zachariah his son reigned in his stead.
29Jeroboam rested with his fathers, with the kings of Israel, and his son Zachariah became king in his place.
XV
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Azariah's Long Reign and His Leprosy
1In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign.
1In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah became king.
2Sixteen years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned two and fifty years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem.
2He was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jecholiah, from Jerusalem.
3And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done;
3He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Amaziah had done,
4Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places.
4except that the high places were not removed; the people still sacrificed and burned incense at the high places.
5And the LORD smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house. And Jotham the king’s son was over the house, judging the people of the land.
5The LORD struck the king, so that he was a leper until the day he died, and he lived in a separate house. Jotham, the king's son, was in charge of the palace and governed the people of the land.
6And the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
6As for the rest of what Azariah did, all his deeds, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
7So Azariah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.
7Azariah rested with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David, and his son Jotham became king in his place.
Zachariah Murdered in Public
8In the thirty and eighth year of Azariah king of Judah did Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samaria six months.
8In the thirty-eighth year of Azariah king of Judah, Zachariah son of Jeroboam became king over Israel in Samaria, and he reigned six months.
9And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.
9He did what was evil in the eyes of the LORD, as his fathers had done. He did not turn from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had led Israel into sin.
10And Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him, and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead.
10Shallum son of Jabesh plotted against him, struck him down in front of the people, and killed him, and he became king in his place.
11And the rest of the acts of Zachariah, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
11As for the rest of what Zachariah did, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
12This was the word of the LORD which he spake unto Jehu, saying, Thy sons shall sit on the throne of Israel unto the fourth generation. And so it came to pass.
12So the word the LORD had spoken to Jehu came true: "Your sons will sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation." And so it happened.
Menahem's Cruelty at Tiphsah
13Shallum the son of Jabesh began to reign in the nine and thirtieth year of Uzziah king of Judah; and he reigned a full month in Samaria.
13Shallum son of Jabesh became king in the thirty-ninth year of Uzziah king of Judah, and he reigned one full month in Samaria.
14For Menahem the son of Gadi went up from Tirzah, and came to Samaria, and smote Shallum the son of Jabesh in Samaria, and slew him, and reigned in his stead.
14Then Menahem son of Gadi came up from Tirzah to Samaria, struck down Shallum son of Jabesh there, and killed him, and he became king in his place.
15And the rest of the acts of Shallum, and his conspiracy which he made, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
15As for the rest of what Shallum did, including the plot he carried out, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
16Then Menahem smote Tiphsah, and all that were therein, and the coasts thereof from Tirzah: because they opened not to him, therefore he smote it; and all the women therein that were with child he ripped up.
16At that time Menahem attacked Tiphsah and everyone in it and its surrounding territory, starting from Tirzah, because they would not open their gates to him. He struck the town down and cut open all its pregnant women.
Menahem Buys Off Assyria
17In the nine and thirtieth year of Azariah king of Judah began Menahem the son of Gadi to reign over Israel, and reigned ten years in Samaria.
17In the thirty-ninth year of Azariah king of Judah, Menahem son of Gadi became king over Israel, and he reigned ten years in Samaria.
18And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not all his days from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.
18He did what was evil in the eyes of the LORD; all his days he did not turn from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had led Israel into sin.
19And Pul the king of Assyria came against the land: and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand.
19Pul king of Assyria invaded the land, and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver to win his support and strengthen his own grip on the kingdom.
20And Menahem exacted the money of Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and stayed not there in the land.
20Menahem raised the money from Israel by taxing all the wealthy men fifty shekels of silver each, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back and did not stay in the land.
21And the rest of the acts of Menahem, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
21As for the rest of what Menahem did, all his deeds, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
22And Menahem slept with his fathers; and Pekahiah his son reigned in his stead.
22Menahem rested with his fathers, and his son Pekahiah became king in his place.
Pekahiah Killed by His Own Officer
23In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned two years.
23In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekahiah son of Menahem became king over Israel in Samaria, and he reigned two years.
24And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.
24He did what was evil in the eyes of the LORD. He did not turn from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had led Israel into sin.
25But Pekah the son of Remaliah, a captain of his, conspired against him, and smote him in Samaria, in the palace of the king’s house, with Argob and Arieh, and with him fifty men of the Gileadites: and he killed him, and reigned in his room.
25But Pekah son of Remaliah, one of his officers, plotted against him and struck him down in Samaria, in the stronghold of the king's house, together with Argob and Arieh; fifty men from Gilead were with him. He killed Pekahiah and became king in his place.
26And the rest of the acts of Pekahiah, and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
26As for the rest of what Pekahiah did, all his deeds, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
Assyria Takes the North
27In the two and fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekah the son of Remaliah began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned twenty years.
27In the fifty-second year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekah son of Remaliah became king over Israel in Samaria, and he reigned twenty years.
28And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.
28He did what was evil in the eyes of the LORD. He did not turn from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had led Israel into sin.
29In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abelbethmaachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria.
29In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came and captured Ijon, Abel-beth-maachah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried the people away captive to Assyria.
30And Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah, and smote him, and slew him, and reigned in his stead, in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah.
30Then Hoshea son of Elah formed a plot against Pekah son of Remaliah, struck him down, and killed him, and he became king in his place, in the twentieth year of Jotham son of Uzziah.
31And the rest of the acts of Pekah, and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
31As for the rest of what Pekah did, all his deeds, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
Jotham of Judah
32In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah king of Israel began Jotham the son of Uzziah king of Judah to reign.
32In the second year of Pekah son of Remaliah, king of Israel, Jotham son of Uzziah king of Judah became king.
33Five and twenty years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jerusha, the daughter of Zadok.
33He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jerusha, the daughter of Zadok.
34And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD: he did according to all that his father Uzziah had done.
34He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD; he did everything his father Uzziah had done.
35Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places. He built the higher gate of the house of the LORD.
35Still, the high places were not removed; the people kept sacrificing and burning incense at the high places. He built the Upper Gate of the house of the LORD.
36Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
36As for the rest of what Jotham did, all his deeds, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
37In those days the LORD began to send against Judah Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah.
37In those days the LORD began to send Rezin king of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah against Judah.
38And Jotham slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead.
38Jotham rested with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father, and his son Ahaz became king in his place.
XVI
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Ahaz Passes His Son Through the Fire
1In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah Ahaz the son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign.
1In the seventeenth year of Pekah son of Remaliah, Ahaz son of Jotham king of Judah became king.
2Twenty years old was Ahaz when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem, and did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD his God, like David his father.
2Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. He did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD his God, as his ancestor David had done.
3But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel.
3Instead he followed the ways of the kings of Israel, and he even made his own son pass through the fire, copying the detestable practices of the nations the LORD had driven out ahead of the people of Israel.
4And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.
4He sacrificed and burned incense at the high places, on the hilltops, and under every leafy tree.
Ahaz Hires an Empire
5Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to war: and they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome him.
5Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to make war on Jerusalem. They besieged Ahaz but could not defeat him.
6At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drave the Jews from Elath: and the Syrians came to Elath, and dwelt there unto this day.
6At that time Rezin king of Syria won Elath back for Syria and drove the Jews out of Elath; then Syrians moved into Elath, and they live there to this day.
7So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, saying, I am thy servant and thy son: come up, and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Israel, which rise up against me.
7So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, saying, "I am your servant and your son. Come up and rescue me from the king of Syria and the king of Israel, who are attacking me."
8And Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king’s house, and sent it for a present to the king of Assyria.
8Ahaz took the silver and gold found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the king's house and sent it as a gift to the king of Assyria.
9And the king of Assyria hearkened unto him: for the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried the people of it captive to Kir, and slew Rezin.
9The king of Assyria listened to him. He marched against Damascus, captured it, deported its people to Kir, and put Rezin to death.
The Altar Copied From Damascus
10And king Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and saw an altar that was at Damascus: and king Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the fashion of the altar, and the pattern of it, according to all the workmanship thereof.
10King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, and there he saw an altar. King Ahaz sent Urijah the priest a drawing of the altar and a model of it, showing every detail of how it was made.
11And Urijah the priest built an altar according to all that king Ahaz had sent from Damascus: so Urijah the priest made it against king Ahaz came from Damascus.
11Urijah the priest built an altar exactly as King Ahaz had directed from Damascus, and he had it finished before King Ahaz returned from Damascus.
12And when the king was come from Damascus, the king saw the altar: and the king approached to the altar, and offered thereon.
12When the king came back from Damascus and saw the altar, he went up to it and presented offerings on it.
13And he burnt his burnt offering and his meat offering, and poured his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings, upon the altar.
13He burned his burnt offering and his grain offering, poured out his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings on the altar.
14And he brought also the brasen altar, which was before the LORD, from the forefront of the house, from between the altar and the house of the LORD, and put it on the north side of the altar.
14He also moved the bronze altar that stood before the LORD from the front of the temple, from its place between the new altar and the house of the LORD, and set it on the north side of the new altar.
15And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening meat offering, and the king’s burnt sacrifice, and his meat offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle upon it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice: and the brasen altar shall be for me to enquire by.
15Then King Ahaz gave Urijah the priest these orders: "On the great altar burn the morning burnt offering and the evening grain offering, the king's burnt offering and his grain offering, and the burnt offering, grain offering, and drink offerings of all the people of the land, and sprinkle on it all the blood of the burnt offerings and the sacrifices. But the bronze altar I will keep for seeking guidance."
16Thus did Urijah the priest, according to all that king Ahaz commanded.
16Urijah the priest did everything King Ahaz commanded.
Stripping the Temple for Assyria
17And king Ahaz cut off the borders of the bases, and removed the laver from off them; and took down the sea from off the brasen oxen that were under it, and put it upon a pavement of stones.
17King Ahaz also cut the side panels off the movable stands and removed the basins from them. He took the great bronze basin called the Sea down from the bronze oxen that supported it and set it on a stone pavement.
18And the covert for the sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king’s entry without, turned he from the house of the LORD for the king of Assyria.
18And because of the king of Assyria, he removed from the house of the LORD the covered walkway for the Sabbath that had been built at the temple, and the king's outer entrance.
19Now the rest of the acts of Ahaz which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
19As for the rest of what Ahaz did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
20And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.
20Ahaz rested with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David, and his son Hezekiah became king in his place.
XVII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Hoshea, the Last King of Israel
1In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah began Hoshea the son of Elah to reign in Samaria over Israel nine years.
1In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah, Hoshea son of Elah became king over Israel in Samaria, and he reigned nine years.
2And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Israel that were before him.
2He did what was evil in the eyes of the LORD, though not as badly as the kings of Israel who came before him.
3Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and gave him presents.
3Shalmaneser king of Assyria marched against him, and Hoshea became his servant and paid him tribute.
4And the king of Assyria found conspiracy in Hoshea: for he had sent messengers to So king of Egypt, and brought no present to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year: therefore the king of Assyria shut him up, and bound him in prison.
4But the king of Assyria discovered that Hoshea was plotting against him, for he had sent messengers to So king of Egypt and had stopped sending the yearly tribute to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria seized him and locked him up in prison.
The Fall of Samaria
5Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years.
5Then the king of Assyria invaded the whole land, marched up to Samaria, and laid siege to it for three years.
6In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.
6In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and carried the people of Israel off to Assyria. He settled them in Halah, in Habor by the river Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.
Why It Happened
7For so it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, which had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods,
7All this happened because the people of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, out from under the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They had worshiped other gods
8And walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they had made.
8and lived by the customs of the nations the LORD had driven out ahead of the people of Israel, and by the customs the kings of Israel had introduced.
9And the children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the LORD their God, and they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city.
9The people of Israel secretly did things that were not right against the LORD their God. They built themselves high places in all their towns, from the lookout tower to the walled city.
10And they set them up images and groves in every high hill, and under every green tree:
10They set up sacred stones and wooden idol poles on every high hill and under every leafy tree.
11And there they burnt incense in all the high places, as did the heathen whom the LORD carried away before them; and wrought wicked things to provoke the LORD to anger:
11There, at all the high places, they burned incense just as the nations the LORD had carried away before them had done. They did wicked things that provoked the LORD to anger.
12For they served idols, whereof the LORD had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing.
12They served idols, even though the LORD had told them, "You must not do this."
The Prophets No One Heard
13Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.
13Still the LORD warned Israel and Judah through all the prophets and all the seers, saying, "Turn from your evil ways and keep my commandments and my laws, according to the whole law I gave your ancestors and sent to you through my servants the prophets."
14Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God.
14But they would not listen. They were stubborn, just as their ancestors had been stubborn, who did not trust in the LORD their God.
15And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them.
15They rejected his laws, the covenant he had made with their ancestors, and the warnings he had given them. They chased after worthless idols and became worthless themselves, and they copied the nations around them, even though the LORD had commanded them not to do as those nations did.
The Whole Indictment
16And they left all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal.
16They abandoned all the commandments of the LORD their God. They made themselves metal images, two calves, and set up a wooden idol pole; they bowed down to all the stars of the sky and served Baal.
17And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
17They made their sons and daughters pass through the fire, they practiced fortune-telling and sorcery, and they sold themselves to do what was evil in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger.
Judah Is Not Exempt
18Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only.
18So the LORD was very angry with Israel and removed them from his sight. Only the tribe of Judah was left.
19Also Judah kept not the commandments of the LORD their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made.
19Yet even Judah did not keep the commandments of the LORD their God, but followed the customs Israel had introduced.
20And the LORD rejected all the seed of Israel, and afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight.
20So the LORD rejected all the descendants of Israel. He afflicted them and handed them over to plunderers, until at last he had thrown them out of his sight.
Back to Where It Started
21For he rent Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drave Israel from following the LORD, and made them sin a great sin.
21For when he tore Israel away from the house of David, they made Jeroboam son of Nebat their king, and Jeroboam drove Israel away from following the LORD and led them into a terrible sin.
22For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they departed not from them;
22The people of Israel kept on in all the sins Jeroboam had committed; they never turned away from them,
23Until the LORD removed Israel out of his sight, as he had said by all his servants the prophets. So was Israel carried away out of their own land to Assyria unto this day.
23until the LORD removed Israel from his sight, just as he had said through all his servants the prophets. So Israel was carried away from their own land to Assyria, where they remain to this day.
New Peoples in an Emptied Land
24And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof.
24The king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Ava, Hamath, and Sepharvaim and settled them in the towns of Samaria in place of the people of Israel. They took over Samaria and lived in its towns.
25And so it was at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they feared not the LORD: therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which slew some of them.
25When they first began living there, they did not fear the LORD, so the LORD sent lions among them, and the lions killed some of them.
26Wherefore they spake to the king of Assyria, saying, The nations which thou hast removed, and placed in the cities of Samaria, know not the manner of the God of the land: therefore he hath sent lions among them, and, behold, they slay them, because they know not the manner of the God of the land.
26So word was sent to the king of Assyria: "The nations you moved and settled in the towns of Samaria do not know the ways of the God of that land. He has sent lions among them, and the lions are killing them, because they do not know the ways of the God of the land."
27Then the king of Assyria commanded, saying, Carry thither one of the priests whom ye brought from thence; and let them go and dwell there, and let him teach them the manner of the God of the land.
27Then the king of Assyria gave this order: "Send back one of the priests you carried away from there. Let him go and live there and teach the people the ways of the God of the land."
28Then one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and dwelt in Bethel, and taught them how they should fear the LORD.
28So one of the priests who had been carried away from Samaria came back and lived in Bethel, and he taught them how to fear the LORD.
Worshipping Everything at Once
29Howbeit every nation made gods of their own, and put them in the houses of the high places which the Samaritans had made, every nation in their cities wherein they dwelt.
29But each nation still made gods of its own and set them up in the shrines of the high places that the people of Samaria had built, each nation in the towns where it lived.
30And the men of Babylon made Succothbenoth, and the men of Cuth made Nergal, and the men of Hamath made Ashima,
30The people from Babylon made Succoth Benoth, the people from Cuth made Nergal, the people from Hamath made Ashima,
31And the Avites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burnt their children in fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim.
31the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burned their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim.
32So they feared the LORD, and made unto themselves of the lowest of them priests of the high places, which sacrificed for them in the houses of the high places.
32So they feared the LORD, yet they also appointed all kinds of people from among themselves as priests of the high places, to offer sacrifices for them in the shrines of the high places.
33They feared the LORD, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations whom they carried away from thence.
33They feared the LORD, but they served their own gods too, following the customs of the nations from which they had been carried away.
The Covenant They Were Given
34Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not the LORD, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment which the LORD commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel;
34To this day they keep their old customs. They do not truly fear the LORD, and they do not follow the laws, the rules, the teaching, or the commandment that the LORD gave to the descendants of Jacob, whom he named Israel.
35With whom the LORD had made a covenant, and charged them, saying, Ye shall not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them:
35The LORD had made a covenant with them and commanded them, "Do not fear other gods. Do not bow down to them, serve them, or sacrifice to them.
36But the LORD, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and a stretched out arm, him shall ye fear, and him shall ye worship, and to him shall ye do sacrifice.
36Instead, fear the LORD, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and an outstretched arm. Worship him and offer your sacrifices to him.
37And the statutes, and the ordinances, and the law, and the commandment, which he wrote for you, ye shall observe to do for evermore; and ye shall not fear other gods.
37Always be careful to keep the laws, the rules, the teaching, and the commandment he wrote down for you, and do not fear other gods.
38And the covenant that I have made with you ye shall not forget; neither shall ye fear other gods.
38Do not forget the covenant I have made with you, and do not fear other gods.
39But the LORD your God ye shall fear; and he shall deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies.
39Fear the LORD your God, and he will rescue you from the power of all your enemies."
40Howbeit they did not hearken, but they did after their former manner.
40But they would not listen; they went on in their old ways.
As Their Fathers Did, So Do They
41So these nations feared the LORD, and served their graven images, both their children, and their children’s children: as did their fathers, so do they unto this day.
41So these nations feared the LORD while serving their carved idols. Their children and their grandchildren did the same; as their ancestors did, so they do to this day.
XVIII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Hezekiah Breaks the Bronze Serpent
1Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.
1In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, Hezekiah son of Ahaz king of Judah became king.
2Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah.
2He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abi, the daughter of Zechariah.
3And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did.
3He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his ancestor David had done.
4He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.
4He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones, and cut down the wooden idol poles. He also broke to pieces the bronze serpent Moses had made, because right up to that time the people of Israel had been burning incense to it. He called it Nehushtan.
5He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him.
5He trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either after him or before him.
6For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses.
6He held tightly to the LORD and never stopped following him; he kept the commandments the LORD had given to Moses.
7And the LORD was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not.
7The LORD was with him, and he succeeded in everything he set out to do. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and refused to serve him.
8He smote the Philistines, even unto Gaza, and the borders thereof, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city.
8He defeated the Philistines as far as Gaza and its borders, from the lookout tower to the walled city.
Samaria Falls, Told a Second Time
9And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria, and besieged it.
9In the fourth year of King Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, Shalmaneser king of Assyria marched against Samaria and laid siege to it.
10And at the end of three years they took it: even in the sixth year of Hezekiah, that is the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel, Samaria was taken.
10At the end of three years they captured it. Samaria was taken in the sixth year of Hezekiah, which was the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel.
11And the king of Assyria did carry away Israel unto Assyria, and put them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes:
11The king of Assyria carried Israel off to Assyria and settled them in Halah, in Habor by the river Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes,
12Because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD their God, but transgressed his covenant, and all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded, and would not hear them, nor do them.
12because they had not obeyed the voice of the LORD their God. They had broken his covenant and everything Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded; they would neither listen to it nor do it.
Hezekiah Pays the Tribute
13Now in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah did Sennacherib king of Assyria come up against all the fenced cities of Judah, and took them.
13In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked all the walled cities of Judah and captured them.
14And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, saying, I have offended; return from me: that which thou puttest on me will I bear. And the king of Assyria appointed unto Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold.
14Hezekiah king of Judah sent this message to the king of Assyria at Lachish: "I have done wrong. Withdraw from me, and I will pay whatever you demand of me." The king of Assyria demanded from Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold.
15And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king’s house.
15So Hezekiah gave him all the silver that could be found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the royal palace.
16At that time did Hezekiah cut off the gold from the doors of the temple of the LORD, and from the pillars which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid, and gave it to the king of Assyria.
16At that time Hezekiah stripped the gold from the doors of the temple of the LORD and from the doorposts that he himself, Hezekiah king of Judah, had covered with gold, and he gave it to the king of Assyria.
The Delegation at the Upper Pool
17And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the highway of the fuller’s field.
17Even so, the king of Assyria sent his commander in chief, his chief officer, and his field commander with a large army from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. They marched up to Jerusalem, and when they arrived, they took their stand by the channel of the upper pool, on the road to the Washerman's Field.
18And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder.
18They called for the king, and Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who was in charge of the palace, went out to them, along with Shebna the secretary and Joah son of Asaph the record keeper.
What Are You Trusting In
19And Rabshakeh said unto them, Speak ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest?
19The field commander said to them, "Tell Hezekiah this: The great king, the king of Assyria, says, What is this confidence you are relying on?
20Thou sayest, (but they are but vain words,) I have counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?
20You say you have strategy and military strength, but those are only empty words. Whom are you counting on, that you dare to rebel against me?
21Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him.
21Look, you are leaning on Egypt, that splintered reed of a walking stick. If a man leans on it, it runs into his hand and pierces it. That is what Pharaoh king of Egypt is to everyone who relies on him.
22But if ye say unto me, We trust in the LORD our God: is not that he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and hath said to Judah and Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem?
22And if you tell me, We are trusting in the LORD our God, is he not the very one whose high places and altars Hezekiah removed, telling Judah and Jerusalem, You must worship only before this altar in Jerusalem?
23Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges to my lord the king of Assyria, and I will deliver thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.
23Come now, make a deal with my master the king of Assyria. I will give you two thousand horses, if you can find enough riders to put on them!
24How then wilt thou turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master’s servants, and put thy trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?
24How could you turn back even one officer from the least of my master's servants, when you are depending on Egypt for chariots and horsemen?
25Am I now come up without the LORD against this place to destroy it? The LORD said to me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.
25And do you think I have come to attack and destroy this place without the LORD? The LORD himself told me, Go up against this land and destroy it."
Speak to Us in Aramaic
26Then said Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebna, and Joah, unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and talk not with us in the Jews’ language in the ears of the people that are on the wall.
26Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, Shebna, and Joah said to the field commander, "Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, since we understand it. Do not speak to us in Hebrew where the people on the wall can hear."
27But Rabshakeh said unto them, Hath my master sent me to thy master, and to thee, to speak these words? hath he not sent me to the men which sit on the wall, that they may eat their own dung, and drink their own piss with you?
27But the field commander replied, "Did my master send me to say these things only to your master and to you? No, he sent me to the men sitting on the wall, who, like you, will have to eat their own dung and drink their own urine."
The Speech to the Men on the Wall
28Then Rabshakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews’ language, and spake, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria:
28Then the field commander stood up and shouted in Hebrew, "Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria!
29Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you out of his hand:
29This is what the king says: Do not let Hezekiah fool you. He cannot rescue you from my hand.
30Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, The LORD will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.
30Do not let Hezekiah talk you into trusting the LORD by saying, The LORD will surely rescue us; this city will not be handed over to the king of Assyria.
31Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me, and then eat ye every man of his own vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his cistern:
31Do not listen to Hezekiah. This is what the king of Assyria says: Make peace with me and come out to me. Then each of you will eat from his own vine and his own fig tree and drink water from his own cistern,
32Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of oil olive and of honey, that ye may live, and not die: and hearken not unto Hezekiah, when he persuadeth you, saying, The LORD will deliver us.
32until I come and take you to a land like your own, a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of olive trees and honey, so that you may live and not die. Do not listen to Hezekiah when he misleads you by saying, The LORD will rescue us.
Have Any Gods Delivered
33Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered at all his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?
33Has the god of any nation ever rescued its land from the hand of the king of Assyria?
34Where are the gods of Hamath, and of Arpad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah? have they delivered Samaria out of mine hand?
34Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah? Did they rescue Samaria from my hand?
35Who are they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of mine hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of mine hand?
35Which of all the gods of these countries has rescued its land from my hand? So how can the LORD rescue Jerusalem from my hand?"
Silence on the Wall
36But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king’s commandment was, saying, Answer him not.
36But the people kept silent and did not answer him a word, because the king had ordered, "Do not answer him."
37Then came Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder, to Hezekiah with their clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.
37Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who was in charge of the palace, Shebna the secretary, and Joah son of Asaph the record keeper went to Hezekiah with their clothes torn and told him what the field commander had said.
XIX
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Hezekiah Sends to Isaiah
1And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.
1When King Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.
2And he sent Eliakim, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.
2He sent Eliakim, who was in charge of the palace, Shebna the secretary, and the leading priests, all wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz.
3And they said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and blasphemy; for the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth.
3They said to him, "This is what Hezekiah says: Today is a day of distress, of rebuke, and of disgrace. It is like the moment when children are ready to be born but there is no strength to deliver them.
4It may be the LORD thy God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God; and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that are left.
4Perhaps the LORD your God will hear all the words of the field commander, whom his master the king of Assyria sent to mock the living God, and will punish him for the words the LORD your God has heard. So pray for the remnant that still survives."
5So the servants of king Hezekiah came to Isaiah.
5When King Hezekiah's servants came to Isaiah,
6And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say to your master, Thus saith the LORD, Be not afraid of the words which thou hast heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me.
6Isaiah said to them, "Tell your master this: The LORD says, Do not be afraid of the words you have heard, the words the king of Assyria's servants have used to insult me.
7Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and shall return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.
7Watch: I will put a spirit in him so that when he hears a certain report he will go back to his own land, and there I will have him cut down by the sword."
Sennacherib's Letter
8So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah: for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish.
8When the field commander heard that the king of Assyria had left Lachish, he withdrew and found the king fighting against Libnah.
9And when he heard say of Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, Behold, he is come out to fight against thee: he sent messengers again unto Hezekiah, saying,
9Then the king received a report that Tirhakah king of Ethiopia was marching out to fight him. So he sent messengers to Hezekiah again, saying,
10Thus shall ye speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying, Let not thy God in whom thou trustest deceive thee, saying, Jerusalem shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.
10"Say this to Hezekiah king of Judah: Do not let the God you trust in fool you by promising that Jerusalem will not be handed over to the king of Assyria.
11Behold, thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, by destroying them utterly: and shalt thou be delivered?
11You have surely heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the other countries, wiping them out completely. And will you be rescued?
12Have the gods of the nations delivered them which my fathers have destroyed; as Gozan, and Haran, and Rezeph, and the children of Eden which were in Thelasar?
12Did the gods of the nations my fathers destroyed rescue them, the gods of Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, and the people of Eden who lived in Tel Assar?
13Where is the king of Hamath, and the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivah?
13Where is the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, and the kings of the cities of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah?"
Hezekiah Spreads the Letter Before the LORD
14And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.
14Hezekiah took the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the house of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD.
15And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth.
15And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD: "O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made heaven and earth.
16LORD, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, LORD, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God.
16Turn your ear, LORD, and hear; open your eyes, LORD, and see. Listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to mock the living God.
17Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands,
17It is true, LORD, that the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands.
18And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them.
18They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods at all, only wood and stone, made by human hands.
19Now therefore, O LORD our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD God, even thou only.
19Now, O LORD our God, I beg you, save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, LORD, are God, and you alone."
Isaiah's Answer to Sennacherib
20Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, That which thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard.
20Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent this message to Hezekiah: "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I have heard your prayer about Sennacherib king of Assyria.
21This is the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin the daughter of Zion hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.
21This is the word the LORD has spoken against him: The virgin daughter of Zion despises you and laughs you to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem shakes her head as you go.
22Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel.
22Whom have you mocked and insulted? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel!
23By thy messengers thou hast reproached the LORD, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots I am come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon, and will cut down the tall cedar trees thereof, and the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the lodgings of his borders, and into the forest of his Carmel.
23Through your messengers you have mocked the LORD. You have said, With my many chariots I have climbed the mountain heights, the far slopes of Lebanon. I have cut down its tallest cedars and its finest cypress trees. I have reached its farthest lodging place, its thickest forest.
24I have digged and drunk strange waters, and with the sole of my feet have I dried up all the rivers of besieged places.
24I have dug wells and drunk foreign waters; with the soles of my feet I have dried up all the rivers of the lands I besieged.
25Hast thou not heard long ago how I have done it, and of ancient times that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste fenced cities into ruinous heaps.
25Have you not heard? I decided this long ago; in ancient times I planned it. Now I have brought it about, and so you have turned walled cities into heaps of rubble.
26Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded; they were as the grass of the field, and as the green herb, as the grass on the house tops, and as corn blasted before it be grown up.
26Their people, drained of strength, were dismayed and put to shame. They were like plants in the field, like tender green shoots, like grass on the rooftops, like grain scorched before it can grow.
27But I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me.
27But I know where you stay, and when you go out and when you come in, and how you rage against me.
28Because thy rage against me and thy tumult is come up into mine ears, therefore I will put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.
28Because you rage against me and your arrogance has reached my ears, I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth, and I will turn you back the way you came.
A Sign and a Promise to the Remnant
29And this shall be a sign unto thee, Ye shall eat this year such things as grow of themselves, and in the second year that which springeth of the same; and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruits thereof.
29And this will be the sign for you, Hezekiah: This year you will eat what grows on its own, and the second year what springs up from that. But in the third year, sow and reap, plant vineyards, and eat their fruit.
30And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall yet again take root downward, and bear fruit upward.
30The survivors of the house of Judah who escape will once again take root below and bear fruit above.
31For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the LORD of hosts shall do this.
31For a remnant will go out from Jerusalem, and a band of survivors from Mount Zion. The passionate zeal of the LORD of hosts will make this happen.
32Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor cast a bank against it.
32Therefore this is what the LORD says about the king of Assyria: He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow here. He will not come before it with a shield or build a siege ramp against it.
33By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the LORD.
33By the way he came he will go back; he will not enter this city, says the LORD.
34For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.
34I will defend this city and save it, for my own sake and for the sake of my servant David."
The Camp at Night and Sennacherib's Death
35And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.
35That very night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down one hundred eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up early the next morning, there lay all the dead bodies.
36So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh.
36So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp, went home, and stayed in Nineveh.
37And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of Armenia. And Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.
37One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer killed him with the sword and escaped to the land of Armenia. His son Esarhaddon became king in his place.
XX
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery
1In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.
1In those days Hezekiah became so ill that he was near death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came to him and said, "This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover."
2Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying,
2Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD:
3I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.
3"I beg you, O LORD, remember how I have walked before you faithfully and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your eyes." And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
4And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying,
4Before Isaiah had left the middle courtyard, the word of the LORD came to him:
5Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.
5"Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of my people: This is what the LORD, the God of your ancestor David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I am going to heal you. On the third day you will go up to the house of the LORD.
6And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.
6I will add fifteen years to your life. I will rescue you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city for my own sake and for the sake of my servant David."
7And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.
7Then Isaiah said, "Bring a cake of figs." They brought it and put it on the boil, and he recovered.
The Shadow Goes Back
8And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the LORD the third day?
8Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "What will be the sign that the LORD will heal me and that I will go up to the house of the LORD on the third day?"
9And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees?
9Isaiah answered, "This is the sign the LORD will give you to show that he will do what he has promised: Shall the shadow move forward ten steps, or back ten steps?"
10And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.
10Hezekiah said, "It is easy for the shadow to move forward ten steps. No, let the shadow go back ten steps."
11And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the LORD: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz.
11So the prophet Isaiah called out to the LORD, and he made the shadow go back the ten steps it had already gone down on the stairway of Ahaz.
Envoys from Babylon
12At that time Berodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah: for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick.
12At that time Merodach Baladan son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a gift to Hezekiah, because he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick.
13And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and shewed them all the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.
13Hezekiah welcomed the messengers and showed them everything in his treasure house: the silver, the gold, the spices, the fine oil, his whole armory, and everything found among his treasures. There was nothing in his palace or in all his kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them.
14Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country, even from Babylon.
14Then the prophet Isaiah went to King Hezekiah and asked him, "What did these men say, and where did they come from?" Hezekiah answered, "They came from a distant country, from Babylon."
15And he said, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All the things that are in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them.
15Isaiah asked, "What did they see in your palace?" Hezekiah replied, "They saw everything in my palace. There is nothing among my treasures that I did not show them."
Isaiah Foretells Babylon
16And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD.
16Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Hear the word of the LORD:
17Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.
17The days are coming when everything in your palace, and everything your ancestors have stored up to this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD.
18And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.
18And some of your own sons, your own flesh and blood, will be taken away to serve as eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon."
19Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days?
19Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "The word of the LORD you have spoken is good." And he added, "Is it not good, if there will be peace and security in my lifetime?"
The Pool and the Conduit
20And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into the city, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
20The rest of the events of Hezekiah's reign, all his achievements, and how he made the pool and the tunnel that brought water into the city, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
21And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.
21Hezekiah died and rested with his ancestors, and his son Manasseh became king in his place.
XXI
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Manasseh Undoes the Reform
1Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Hephzibah.
1Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he ruled fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hephzibah.
2And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.
2He did what was evil in the eyes of the LORD, copying the disgusting practices of the nations the LORD had driven out ahead of the people of Israel.
3For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.
3He rebuilt the hilltop shrines his father Hezekiah had torn down; he set up altars for Baal and made a sacred pole, just as Ahab king of Israel had done; and he bowed down to all the stars of the sky and served them.
4And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD said, In Jerusalem will I put my name.
4He even built altars in the house of the LORD, the very place of which the LORD had said, "In Jerusalem I will put my name."
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 made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
6He made his own son pass through the fire, practiced fortune-telling and sorcery, and consulted mediums and spirit-callers. He did a great deal of evil in the eyes of the LORD and stirred him to anger.
7And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the LORD said to David, and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:
7He set up the carved image of the sacred pole he had made inside the very house of which the LORD 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 make the feet of Israel move any more out of the land which I gave their fathers; only if they will observe to do according to all that I have commanded them, and according to all the law that my servant Moses commanded them.
8And I will never again make the feet of Israel wander out of the land I gave their ancestors, as long as they are careful to do everything I have commanded them and to keep the whole law my servant Moses gave them."
9But they hearkened not: and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than did the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the children of Israel.
9But they did not listen, and Manasseh led them astray to do more evil than the nations the LORD had destroyed ahead of the people of Israel.
The Prophets Announce Disaster
10And the LORD spake by his servants the prophets, saying,
10So the LORD spoke through his servants the prophets and said,
11Because Manasseh king of Judah hath done these abominations, and hath done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, which were before him, and hath made Judah also to sin with his idols:
11"Because Manasseh king of Judah has done these disgusting things, acting more wickedly than all the Amorites who lived before him, and because he has made Judah sin with his idols,
12Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Behold, I am bringing such evil upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whosoever heareth of it, both his ears shall tingle.
12therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Watch, I am bringing such disaster on Jerusalem and Judah that both ears of everyone who hears about it will tingle.
13And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab: and I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipeth a dish, wiping it, and turning it upside down.
13I will stretch over Jerusalem the same measuring line I used on Samaria and the same plumb line I used on the house of Ahab. I will wipe Jerusalem clean the way a man wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down.
14And I will forsake the remnant of mine inheritance, and deliver them into the hand of their enemies; and they shall become a prey and a spoil to all their enemies;
14I will abandon what is left of my own people and hand them over to their enemies, and they will become loot and plunder for everyone who hates them,
15Because they have done that which was evil in my sight, and have provoked me to anger, since the day their fathers came forth out of Egypt, even unto this day.
15because they have done what is evil in my eyes and have provoked me to anger from the day their ancestors came out of Egypt right up to this day."
Innocent Blood
16Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; beside his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, in doing that which was evil in the sight of the LORD.
16On top of that, Manasseh shed a great deal of innocent blood, until he had filled Jerusalem with it from one end to the other, apart from the sin he led Judah into by doing what was evil in the eyes of the LORD.
17Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all that he did, and his sin that he sinned, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
17As for the rest of what Manasseh did, everything he accomplished and the sin he committed, is it not written in the book of the records of the kings of Judah?
18And Manasseh slept with his fathers, and was buried in the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza: and Amon his son reigned in his stead.
18Manasseh died and rested with his ancestors, and he was buried in the garden of his own palace, the garden of Uzza. His son Amon became king in his place.
Amon's Two Years
19Amon was twenty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Meshullemeth, the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah.
19Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he ruled two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Meshullemeth, the daughter of Haruz from Jotbah.
20And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father Manasseh did.
20He did what was evil in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Manasseh had done.
21And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them:
21He walked in every path his father had walked, served the idols his father had served, and bowed down to them.
22And he forsook the LORD God of his fathers, and walked not in the way of the LORD.
22He abandoned the LORD, the God of his ancestors, and did not walk in the way of the LORD.
23And the servants of Amon conspired against him, and slew the king in his own house.
23Amon's own officials plotted against him and killed the king in his palace.
24And 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.
24But 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.
25Now the rest of the acts of Amon which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
25As for the rest of what Amon did, is it not written in the book of the records of the kings of Judah?
26And he was buried in his sepulchre in the garden of Uzza: and Josiah his son reigned in his stead.
26He was buried in his tomb in the garden of Uzza, and his son Josiah became king in his place.
XXII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Josiah Repairs the Temple
1Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah of Boscath.
1Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he ruled thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah from Bozkath.
2And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.
2He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in every way of his ancestor David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.
3And it came to pass in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, that the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of the LORD, saying,
3In the eighteenth year of his reign, King Josiah sent Shaphan the secretary, the son of Azaliah and grandson of Meshullam, to the house of the LORD with these instructions:
4Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may sum the silver which is brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the door have gathered of the people:
4"Go up to Hilkiah the high priest and have him count up the silver that has been brought into the house of the LORD, which the doorkeepers have collected from the people.
5And let them deliver it into the hand of the doers of the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD: and let them give it to the doers of the work which is in the house of the LORD, to repair the breaches of the house,
5Have them hand it over to the men in charge of the work on the house of the LORD, and let those men pay the workers in the house of the LORD who are repairing the damage to the building,
6Unto carpenters, and builders, and masons, and to buy timber and hewn stone to repair the house.
6the carpenters, builders, and stonemasons, and use it to buy timber and cut stone to repair the house."
7Howbeit there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, because they dealt faithfully.
7No accounting was required of them for the money placed in their hands, because they were honest in their work.
The Book of the Law Is Found
8And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.
8Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, "I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD." Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.
9And Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, Thy servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of them that do the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD.
9Shaphan the secretary went to the king and brought back his report. He said, "Your servants have emptied out the money found in the house and have handed it over to the workers who are in charge of the house of the LORD."
10And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.
10Then Shaphan the secretary told the king, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a book." And Shaphan read it aloud to the king.
11And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes.
11When the king heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes.
12And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king’s, saying,
12Then the king gave this order to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Achbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the secretary, and Asaiah the king's servant:
13Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.
13"Go and ask the LORD for me, for the people, and for all Judah about the words of this book that has been found. The LORD's anger burning against us is great, because our ancestors did not obey the words of this book or do everything written in it about us."
Huldah's Word
14So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.
14So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah and grandson of Harhas, the keeper of the royal wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem in the newer part of the city, and they spoke with her.
15And she said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me,
15She said to them, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Tell the man who sent you to me,
16Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read:
16'This is what the LORD says: Watch, I am going to bring disaster on this place and on the people who live here, everything written in the book the king of Judah has read.
17Because 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 kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.
17Because they have abandoned me and burned incense to other gods, provoking me to anger with everything their hands have made, my anger will burn against this place, and it will not be put out.'
18But to the king of Judah which sent you to enquire of the LORD, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, As touching the words which thou hast heard;
18But 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:
19Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD.
19Because your heart was soft and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I said against this place and its people, that they would become a ruin and a curse, and because you tore your clothes and wept before me, I have heard you too, says the LORD.
20Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.
20So I 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 they took her answer back to the king.
XXIII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Covenant Renewed
1And the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem.
1Then the king sent word, and all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem gathered to him.
2And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the LORD.
2The king went up to the house of the LORD, and with him went all the men of Judah, everyone who lived in Jerusalem, the priests, the prophets, and all the people from the least to the greatest. In their hearing he read all the words of the book of the covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD.
3And the king stood by a pillar, 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 their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.
3The king stood beside the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and keep his commands, his rules, and his laws with all their heart and all their soul, carrying out the words of the covenant written in this book. And all the people pledged themselves to the covenant.
The Temple and the High Places Purged
4And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Bethel.
4Then the king ordered Hilkiah the high priest, the priests next in rank, and the doorkeepers to bring out of the temple of the LORD every object that had been made for Baal, for the sacred pole, and for all the stars of the sky. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel.
5And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven.
5He got rid of the idol priests whom the kings of Judah had appointed to burn incense at the hilltop shrines in the towns of Judah and around Jerusalem, along with those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun, to the moon, to the planets, and to all the stars of the sky.
6And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped it small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of the children of the people.
6He took the sacred pole out of the house of the LORD to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem, burned it there, ground it into powder, and scattered the powder over the graves of the common people.
7And he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that were by the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the grove.
7He tore down the quarters of the shrine prostitutes that stood beside the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the sacred pole.
8And he brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beersheba, and brake down the high places of the gates that were in the entering in of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which were on a man’s left hand at the gate of the city.
8He brought all the priests out of the towns of Judah and made unclean the hilltop shrines where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beersheba. He tore down the shrines at the gates, the ones at the entrance of the gate of Joshua the city governor, on the left as you enter the city gate.
9Nevertheless the priests of the high places came not up to the altar of the LORD in Jerusalem, but they did eat of the unleavened bread among their brethren.
9Still, the priests of the hilltop shrines did not serve at the altar of the LORD in Jerusalem, though they did eat unleavened bread along with their fellow priests.
Topheth, the Sun Horses, and the Old Altars
10And he defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech.
10He made Topheth unclean, in the valley of the sons of Hinnom, so that no one could make his son or daughter pass through the fire to Molech.
11And he took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entering in of the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nathanmelech the chamberlain, which was in the suburbs, and burned the chariots of the sun with fire.
11He removed the horses the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun, at the entrance to the house of the LORD near the room of the official Nathan-melech in the outer courts, and he burned the chariots of the sun.
12And the altars that were on the top of the upper chamber of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars which Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of the LORD, did the king beat down, and brake them down from thence, and cast the dust of them into the brook Kidron.
12The king smashed the altars the kings of Judah had built on the roof of Ahaz's upper room, and the altars Manasseh had built in the two courtyards of the house of the LORD; he broke them apart there and threw their dust into the Kidron Valley.
13And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile.
13The king made unclean the hilltop shrines east of Jerusalem, on the south side of the Mount of Corruption, which Solomon king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the vile goddess of the Sidonians, for Chemosh the vile god of Moab, and for Milcom the vile god of the Ammonites.
14And he brake in pieces the images, and cut down the groves, and filled their places with the bones of men.
14He smashed the sacred stones, cut down the sacred poles, and filled their places with human bones.
The Altar at Bethel
15Moreover the altar that was at Bethel, and the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had made, both that altar and the high place he brake down, and burned the high place, and stamped it small to powder, and burned the grove.
15He also tore down the altar at Bethel and the hilltop shrine built by Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had led Israel into sin. He tore down both the altar and the shrine, burned the shrine, ground it into powder, and burned the sacred pole.
16And as Josiah turned himself, he spied the sepulchres that were there in the mount, and sent, and took the bones out of the sepulchres, and burned them upon the altar, and polluted it, according to the word of the LORD which the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these words.
16As Josiah turned around, he noticed the tombs there on the hillside. He sent men to take the bones out of the tombs and burned them on the altar to make it unclean, in keeping with the word of the LORD announced by the man of God who had foretold these very things.
17Then he said, What title is that that I see? And the men of the city told him, It is the sepulchre of the man of God, which came from Judah, and proclaimed these things that thou hast done against the altar of Bethel.
17Then he asked, "What is that gravestone I see?" The men of the city told him, "It is the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah and announced these things you have just done to the altar of Bethel."
18And he said, Let him alone; let no man move his bones. So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet that came out of Samaria.
18He said, "Leave it alone. No one is to disturb his bones." So they left his bones untouched, together with the bones of the prophet who had come from Samaria.
19And all the houses also of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke the Lord to anger, Josiah took away, and did to them according to all the acts that he had done in Bethel.
19Josiah also removed all the shrine buildings at the hilltop places in the towns of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had built to provoke the Lord to anger, and he did to them just what he had done at Bethel.
20And he slew all the priests of the high places that were there upon the altars, and burned men’s bones upon them, and returned to Jerusalem.
20He killed all the priests of the hilltop shrines who were there, on their own altars, and burned human bones on them. Then he went back to Jerusalem.
The Passover
21And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto the LORD your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant.
21The king commanded all the people, "Celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God, as it is written in this book of the covenant."
22Surely there was not holden such a passover from the days of the judges that judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah;
22No Passover like it had been kept since the days of the judges who led Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel and the kings of Judah.
23But in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, wherein this passover was holden to the LORD in Jerusalem.
23But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah, this Passover was kept to the LORD in Jerusalem.
No King Like Him, and the Sentence Stands
24Moreover the workers with familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the images, and the idols, and all the abominations that were spied in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, did Josiah put away, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the LORD.
24Josiah also got rid of the mediums and spirit-callers, the household gods, the idols, and every disgusting thing that could be found in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, so that he could carry out the words of the law written in the book Hilkiah the priest had found in the house of the LORD.
25And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.
25There had never been a king like him before, who turned to the LORD with all his heart, all his soul, and all his strength, following the whole law of Moses, and no king like him ever came after him.
26Notwithstanding the LORD turned not from the fierceness of his great wrath, wherewith his anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the provocations that Manasseh had provoked him withal.
26Even so, the LORD did not turn away from the heat of his great anger, which burned against Judah because of everything Manasseh had done to provoke him.
27And the LORD said, I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house of which I said, My name shall be there.
27The LORD said, "I will remove Judah from my sight too, just as I removed Israel, and I will reject this city Jerusalem, which I chose, and the house of which I said, 'My name will be there.'"
Josiah Killed at Megiddo
28Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
28As for the rest of what Josiah did, and everything he accomplished, is it not written in the book of the records of the kings of Judah?
29In his days Pharaohnechoh king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates: and king Josiah went against him; and he slew him at Megiddo, when he had seen him.
29In his days Pharaoh Neco king of Egypt marched up toward the Euphrates River against the king of Assyria. King Josiah went out to meet him, and Pharaoh Neco killed him at Megiddo as soon as he saw him.
30And his servants carried him in a chariot dead from Megiddo, and brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own sepulchre. And the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and anointed him, and made him king in his father’s stead.
30His servants carried his body in a chariot from Megiddo, brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own tomb. Then the people of the land took Josiah's son Jehoahaz, anointed him, and made him king in his father's place.
Jehoahaz Deposed, Jehoiakim Installed
31Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
31Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he ruled three months in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah from Libnah.
32And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done.
32He did what was evil in the eyes of the LORD, just as his ancestors had done.
33And Pharaohnechoh put him in bands at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and put the land to a tribute of an hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold.
33Pharaoh Neco put him in chains at Riblah in the land of Hamath so that he could not rule in Jerusalem, and he made the land pay a tribute of a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold.
34And Pharaohnechoh made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the room of Josiah his father, and turned his name to Jehoiakim, and took Jehoahaz away: and he came to Egypt, and died there.
34Pharaoh Neco made Eliakim son of Josiah king in place of his father Josiah and changed his name to Jehoiakim. He took Jehoahaz away, and Jehoahaz went to Egypt and died there.
35And Jehoiakim gave the silver and the gold to Pharaoh; but he taxed the land to give the money according to the commandment of Pharaoh: he exacted the silver and the gold of the people of the land, of every one according to his taxation, to give it unto Pharaohnechoh.
35Jehoiakim paid the silver and gold to Pharaoh, but to meet Pharaoh's demand he taxed the land. He collected the silver and gold from the people of the land, each person according to his assessment, in order to pay it to Pharaoh Neco.
Jehoiakim's Reign
36Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Zebudah, the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah.
36Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he ruled eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zebudah, the daughter of Pedaiah from Rumah.
37And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done.
37He did what was evil in the eyes of the LORD, just as his ancestors had done.
XXIV
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Jehoiakim's Rebellion and Death
1In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him.
1In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched up, and Jehoiakim became his subject for three years. Then he changed course and rebelled against him.
2And the LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servants the prophets.
2The LORD sent raiding bands of Chaldeans, Syrians, Moabites, and Ammonites against him. He sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word the LORD had spoken through his servants the prophets.
3Surely at the commandment of the LORD came this upon Judah, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did;
3Truly this came upon Judah at the LORD's command, to remove them from his sight because of the sins of Manasseh and everything he had done,
4And also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the LORD would not pardon.
4and also because of the innocent blood he had shed, for he had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the LORD was not willing to forgive it.
5Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
5As for the rest of what Jehoiakim did, and everything he accomplished, is it not written in the book of the records of the kings of Judah?
6So Jehoiakim slept with his fathers: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead.
6Jehoiakim died and rested with his ancestors, and his son Jehoiachin became king in his place.
7And the king of Egypt came not again any more out of his land: for the king of Babylon had taken from the river of Egypt unto the river Euphrates all that pertained to the king of Egypt.
7The king of Egypt never marched out of his land again, because the king of Babylon had taken everything that had belonged to the king of Egypt, from the Brook of Egypt to the Euphrates River.
Jehoiachin Surrenders
8Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. And his mother’s name was Nehushta, the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem.
8Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he ruled three months in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Nehushta, the daughter of Elnathan from Jerusalem.
9And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father had done.
9He did what was evil in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father had done.
10At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jerusalem, and the city was besieged.
10At that time the officers of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched up against Jerusalem, and the city came under siege.
11And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came against the city, and his servants did besiege it.
11Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon himself came to the city while his officers were laying siege to it.
12And Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, and his mother, and his servants, and his princes, and his officers: and the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his reign.
12Then Jehoiachin king of Judah went out and surrendered to the king of Babylon, along with his mother, his servants, his princes, and his officials. The king of Babylon took him prisoner in the eighth year of his reign.
The Treasures and the First Deportation
13And he carried out thence all the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king’s house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the LORD, as the LORD had said.
13He carried off from there all the treasures of the house of the LORD and the treasures of the royal palace, and he cut to pieces all the gold objects that Solomon king of Israel had made for the temple of the LORD, just as the LORD had said.
14And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land.
14He carried away all Jerusalem, all the princes and all the fighting men, ten thousand captives, along with all the craftsmen and metalworkers. No one was left except the poorest people of the land.
15And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, and the king’s mother, and the king’s wives, and his officers, and the mighty of the land, those carried he into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.
15He took Jehoiachin captive to Babylon, along with the king's mother, the king's wives, his officials, and the leading men of the land; he led them all from Jerusalem into exile in Babylon.
16And all the men of might, even seven thousand, and craftsmen and smiths a thousand, all that were strong and apt for war, even them the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon.
16The king of Babylon also brought to Babylon as captives all the fighting men, seven thousand of them, and a thousand craftsmen and metalworkers, all of them strong and fit for war.
17And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah his father’s brother king in his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah.
17The king of Babylon made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin's uncle, king in his place and changed his name to Zedekiah.
Zedekiah Rebels
18Zedekiah was twenty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
18Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he ruled eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah from Libnah.
19And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that Jehoiakim had done.
19He did what was evil in the eyes of the LORD, just as Jehoiakim had done.
20For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.
20It was because of the LORD's anger that all this happened to Jerusalem and Judah, until at last he threw them out of his presence. And Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.
XXV
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Siege and Zedekiah's Capture
1And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he, and all his host, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it; and they built forts against it round about.
1So in the ninth year of Zedekiah's reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came with his whole army against Jerusalem. He camped against it, and they built siege works all around it.
2And the city was besieged unto the eleventh year of king Zedekiah.
2The city stayed under siege until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah.
3And on the ninth day of the fourth month the famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land.
3By the ninth day of the fourth month the famine in the city was so severe that there was no food left for the people of the land.
4And the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between two walls, which is by the king’s garden: (now the Chaldees were against the city round about:) and the king went the way toward the plain.
4Then the city wall was broken through, and all the soldiers fled by night through the gate between the two walls near the king's garden, even though the Chaldeans surrounded the city. The king headed toward the Arabah plain.
5And the army of the Chaldees pursued after the king, and overtook him in the plains of Jericho: and all his army were scattered from him.
5But the Chaldean army chased the king and caught up with him in the plains of Jericho, and his whole army scattered and left him.
6So they took the king, and brought him up to the king of Babylon to Riblah; and they gave judgment upon him.
6They captured the king and took him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah, where sentence was passed on him.
7And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him with fetters of brass, and carried him to Babylon.
7They killed Zedekiah's sons in front of his eyes, then put out Zedekiah's eyes, bound him in bronze chains, and carried him off to Babylon.
The Temple Burned
8And in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, which is the nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, unto Jerusalem:
8On the seventh day of the fifth month, in the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard and a servant of the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem.
9And he burnt the house of the LORD, and the king’s house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and every great man’s house burnt he with fire.
9He burned the house of the LORD, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem; every important building he burned to the ground.
10And all the army of the Chaldees, that were with the captain of the guard, brake down the walls of Jerusalem round about.
10The whole Chaldean army that was with the captain of the guard tore down the walls around Jerusalem.
11Now the rest of the people that were left in the city, and the fugitives that fell away to the king of Babylon, with the remnant of the multitude, did Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carry away.
11Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried into exile the rest of the people left in the city, the deserters who had gone over to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the crowd.
12But the captain of the guard left of the poor of the land to be vinedressers and husbandmen.
12But the captain of the guard left some of the poorest people of the land behind to tend the vineyards and work the fields.
The Bronze Carried to Babylon
13And the pillars of brass that were in the house of the LORD, and the bases, and the brasen sea that was in the house of the LORD, did the Chaldees break in pieces, and carried the brass of them to Babylon.
13The Chaldeans broke up the bronze pillars of the house of the LORD, the movable stands, and the bronze sea that stood in the house of the LORD, and they carried the bronze to Babylon.
14And the pots, and the shovels, and the snuffers, and the spoons, and all the vessels of brass wherewith they ministered, took they away.
14They also took away the pots, shovels, wick trimmers, dishes, and all the bronze utensils used in the temple service.
15And the firepans, and the bowls, and such things as were of gold, in gold, and of silver, in silver, the captain of the guard took away.
15The captain of the guard took the firepans and the bowls too, whatever was made of gold for its gold and whatever was made of silver for its silver.
16The two pillars, one sea, and the bases which Solomon had made for the house of the LORD; the brass of all these vessels was without weight.
16As for the two pillars, the one sea, and the stands Solomon had made for the house of the LORD, the bronze in all these things was beyond weighing.
17The height of the one pillar was eighteen cubits, and the chapiter upon it was brass: and the height of the chapiter three cubits; and the wreathen work, and pomegranates upon the chapiter round about, all of brass: and like unto these had the second pillar with wreathen work.
17Each pillar was eighteen cubits tall, with a bronze top piece on it three cubits high, and all around the top piece was a bronze lattice with pomegranates, all of bronze. The second pillar was the same, lattice and all.
The Executions at Riblah
18And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:
18The captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah the priest next in rank, and the three doorkeepers.
19And out of the city he took an officer that was set over the men of war, and five men of them that were in the king’s presence, which were found in the city, and the principal scribe of the host, which mustered the people of the land, and threescore men of the people of the land that were found in the city:
19From the city he took an officer who was in charge of the soldiers, five men of the king's personal advisers who were found in the city, the chief secretary of the army, who enlisted the people of the land, and sixty men of the people of the land who were found in the city.
20And Nebuzaradan captain of the guard took these, and brought them to the king of Babylon to Riblah:
20Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard took them and brought them to the king of Babylon at Riblah.
21And the king of Babylon smote them, and slew them at Riblah in the land of Hamath. So Judah was carried away out of their land.
21The king of Babylon struck them down and executed them at Riblah in the land of Hamath. So Judah was carried away into exile from its own land.
Gedaliah Murdered at Mizpah
22And as for the people that remained in the land of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left, even over them he made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, ruler.
22As for the people who remained in the land of Judah, the ones Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left behind, he appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, as governor over them.
23And when all the captains of the armies, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, there came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Careah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men.
23When all the army commanders and their men heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah: Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan son of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth from Netophah, and Jaazaniah the son of a Maacathite, along with their men.
24And Gedaliah sware to them, and to their men, and said unto them, Fear not to be the servants of the Chaldees: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon; and it shall be well with you.
24Gedaliah gave his oath to them and their men and said, "Do not be afraid of serving the Chaldeans. Settle in the land, serve the king of Babylon, and things will go well for you."
25But it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, came, and ten men with him, and smote Gedaliah, that he died, and the Jews and the Chaldees that were with him at Mizpah.
25But in the seventh month Ishmael son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, who was of the royal family, came with ten men and struck Gedaliah down, killing him along with the Judeans and the Chaldeans who were with him at Mizpah.
26And all the people, both small and great, and the captains of the armies, arose, and came to Egypt: for they were afraid of the Chaldees.
26Then all the people, from the least to the greatest, together with the army commanders, got up and went to Egypt, because they were afraid of the Chaldeans.
Jehoiachin at the King's Table
27And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, that Evilmerodach king of Babylon in the year that he began to reign did lift up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison;
27In the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, on the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month, Evil-merodach king of Babylon, in the year he became king, released Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison.
28And he spake kindly to him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings that were with him in Babylon;
28He spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat of honor above the other kings who were with him in Babylon.
29And changed his prison garments: and he did eat bread continually before him all the days of his life.
29So Jehoiachin changed out of his prison clothes, and he ate at the king's table regularly for the rest of his life.
30And his allowance was a continual allowance given him of the king, a daily rate for every day, all the days of his life.
30The king gave him a regular allowance, a daily portion for each day, as long as he lived.