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Now when all this was completed, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah, ashattered the pillars, cut the 1Asherim in pieces, and tore down the high places and the altars throughout all Judah and Benjamin, as well as in Ephraim and Manasseh, until the destruction was completed. Then all the sons of Israel returned to their cities, each to his possession.

Hezekiah Sets Up Priests for Service

And Hezekiah set up athe divisions of the priests and the Levites by their divisions, each according to his service, both the priests and the Levites, bfor burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister and to give thanks and to praise in the gates of the camp of Yahweh. He also appointed athe king’s portion of his goods for the burnt offerings, namely, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the sabbaths and for the new moons and for the appointed times, bas it is written in the law of Yahweh. Also he said to the people who lived in Jerusalem to give athe portion due to the priests and the Levites, that they might be strong in bthe law of Yahweh. As soon as the word spread forth, the sons of Israel provided in abundance the first fruits of grain, new wine, oil, honey, and of all the produce of the field; and they brought in abundantly athe tithe of all. Now the sons of Israel and Judah who lived in the cities of Judah also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and athe tithe of the holy gifts which were made holy to Yahweh their God, and put them in heaps. In the third month they began to 1make the heaps, and completed them by the seventh month. Then Hezekiah and the rulers came and saw the heaps, and they blessed Yahweh and aHis people Israel. Then Hezekiah inquired of the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps. 10 And Azariah the chief priest aof the house of Zadok said to 1him, “bSince the contributions began to be brought into the house of Yahweh, there has been much to eat and be satisfied with and have left over, for Yahweh has blessed His people, and this great quantity is left over.”

11 Then Hezekiah ordered them to prepare arooms in the house of Yahweh, and they prepared them. 12 And they faithfully brought in the contribution and the tithe and the holy things; and Conaniah the Levite was the officer over athem and his brother Shimei was second. 13 Now Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath, and Benaiah were overseers 1assisting at the hand of Conaniah and Shimei his brother by the appointment of King Hezekiah, and aAzariah was the chief officer of the house of God. 14 And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the keeper of the eastern gate, was over the freewill offerings of God, to distribute the contributions for Yahweh and the most holy things. 15 Now assisting 1by his hand were aEden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah in bthe cities of the priests, to distribute faithfully their portions to their brothers by divisions, whether great or small, 16 without regard to their genealogical record, to the males from 1athirty years old and upwardeveryone who entered the house of Yahweh bfor his daily obligations—for their service in their responsibilities according to their divisions; 17 as well as the priests who were recorded genealogically according to their fathers’ households, and the Levites afrom twenty years old and upwards, by their responsibilities and their divisions. 18 The genealogical record included 1all their little ones, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, for the whole assembly, for they set themselves apart 2faithfully in holiness. 19 Also for the sons of Aaron the priests who were in athe pasture lands of their cities, or in each and every city, bthere were men who were designated by name to distribute portions to every male among the priests and to everyone genealogically recorded among the Levites.

20 Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah; and ahe did what was good, right, and true before Yahweh his God. 21 And every work which he began in the service of the house of God in law and in commandment—to seek his God—he did with all his heart and asucceeded.

Idols Are Destroyed

Now when all this was finished, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah, abroke the pillars in pieces, cut down the 1Asherim and pulled down the high places and the altars throughout all Judah and Benjamin, as well as in Ephraim and Manasseh, 2until they had destroyed them all. Then all the sons of Israel returned to their cities, each to his possession.

And Hezekiah appointed athe divisions of the priests and the Levites by their divisions, each according to his service, both the priests and the Levites, bfor burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister and to give thanks and to praise in the gates of the camp of the LORD.

Reforms Continued

He also appointed athe king’s portion of his goods for the burnt offerings, namely, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the sabbaths and for the new moons and for the fixed festivals, bas it is written in the law of the LORD. Also he 1commanded the people who lived in Jerusalem to give athe portion due to the priests and the Levites, that they might devote themselves to bthe law of the LORD. As soon as the 1order spread, the sons of Israel provided in abundance the first fruits of grain, new wine, oil, honey and of all the produce of the field; and they brought in abundantly athe tithe of all. The sons of Israel and Judah who lived in the cities of Judah also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and athe tithe of 1sacred gifts which were consecrated to the LORD their God, and placed them in heaps. In the third month they began to 1make the heaps, and finished them by the seventh month. When Hezekiah and the rulers came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD and aHis people Israel. Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps. 10 Azariah the chief priest aof the house of Zadok said to 1him, “bSince the contributions began to be brought into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat with plenty left over, for the LORD has blessed His people, and this great quantity is left over.”

11 Then Hezekiah commanded them to prepare arooms in the house of the LORD, and they prepared them. 12 They faithfully brought in the contributions and the tithes and the consecrated things; and Conaniah the Levite was the officer in charge aof them and his brother Shimei was second. 13 Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath and Benaiah were overseers 1under the authority of Conaniah and Shimei his brother by the appointment of King Hezekiah, and aAzariah was the chief officer of the house of God. 14 Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the keeper of the eastern gate, was over the freewill offerings of God, to apportion the contributions for the LORD and the most holy things. 15 1Under his authority were aEden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah and Shecaniah in bthe cities of the priests, to distribute faithfully their portions to their brothers by divisions, whether great or small, 16 without regard to their genealogical enrollment, to the males from 1athirty years old and upwardeveryone who entered the house of the LORD bfor his daily obligations—for their work in their duties according to their divisions; 17 as well as the priests who were enrolled genealogically according to their fathers’ households, and the Levites afrom twenty years old and upwards, by their duties and their divisions. 18 The genealogical enrollment included 1all their little children, their wives, their sons and their daughters, for the whole assembly, for they consecrated themselves 2faithfully in holiness. 19 Also for the sons of Aaron the priests who were in athe pasture lands of their cities, or in each and every city, bthere were men who were designated by name to distribute portions to every male among the priests and to everyone genealogically enrolled among the Levites.

20 Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah; and ahe did what was good, right and true before the LORD his God. 21 Every work which he began in the service of the house of God in law and in commandment, seeking his God, he did with all his heart and aprospered.

Idols Are Destroyed

Now when all this was finished, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah, abroke the memorial stones in pieces, cut down the 1Asherim and pulled down the high places and the altars throughout Judah and Benjamin, as well as in Ephraim and Manasseh, until 2they had destroyed them all. Then all the sons of Israel returned to their cities, each to his possession.

And Hezekiah appointed athe divisions of the priests and the Levites by their divisions, each according to his service, both the priests and the Levites, bfor burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to serve and to give thanks and to praise in the gates of the camp of the LORD.

Reforms Continued

He also appointed athe king’s portion of his property for the burnt offerings, namely, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the Sabbaths and for the new moons and for the appointed festivals, bas it is written in the Law of the LORD. Also he told the people who lived in Jerusalem to give athe portion due to the priests and the Levites, so that they might devote themselves to bthe Law of the LORD. As soon as the 1order spread, the sons of Israel abundantly provided the first fruits of grain, new wine, oil, honey, and of all the produce of the field; and they brought in abundantly athe tithe of everything. The sons of Israel and Judah who lived in the cities of Judah also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and athe tithe of 1sacred gifts which were consecrated to the LORD their God, and placed them in heaps. In the third month they began to 1make the heaps, and they finished them by the seventh month. When Hezekiah and the rulers came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD and aHis people Israel. Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps. 10 Azariah, the chief priest aof the house of Zadok, said to 1him, “bSince the contributions started coming into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat with plenty left over, for the LORD has blessed His people, and this great quantity is left over.”

11 Then Hezekiah commanded them to prepare arooms in the house of the LORD, and they prepared them. 12 They faithfully brought in the contributions, the tithes, and the consecrated things; and Conaniah the Levite was the officer in charge aof them, and his brother Shimei was second. 13 Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath, and Benaiah were overseers 1under the authority of Conaniah and his brother Shimei by the appointment of King Hezekiah, and aAzariah was the chief officer of the house of God. 14 Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the keeper of the eastern gate, was in charge of the 1voluntary offerings for God, to distribute the contributions for the LORD and the most holy things. 15 1Under his authority were aEden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in bthe cities of the priests, to distribute their portions faithfully to their brothers by divisions, whether great or small, 16 without regard to their genealogical enrollment, to the males from 1athirty years old and upwardeveryone who entered the house of the LORD bfor his daily obligations—for their work in their duties according to their divisions; 17 as well as the priests who were enrolled genealogically according to their fathers’ households, and the Levites afrom twenty years old and upward, by their duties and their divisions. 18 The genealogical enrollment included 1all their little children, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, for the whole assembly, for they consecrated themselves 2faithfully in holiness. 19 Also for the sons of Aaron, the priests, who were in athe pasture lands of their cities, or in each and every city, bthere were men who were designated by name to distribute portions to every male among the priests and to everyone genealogically enrolled among the Levites.

20 Hezekiah did this throughout Judah; and ahe did what was good, right, and true before the LORD his God. 21 Every work which he began in the service of the house of God in the Law and in the commandment, seeking his God, he did with all his heart and aprospered.

Idols Are Destroyed

Now when all of this was finished, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah, and asmashed the pagan pillars (obelisks, memorial stones) in pieces, cut down the Asherim (wooden symbols of a female deity) , and tore down the high places and the altars of idolatry throughout all Judah and Benjamin, as well as in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the sons (descendants) of Israel returned to their own cities, each to his own property.

And Hezekiah appointed athe divisions of the priests, and the Levites by their divisions, each in accordance with his service, both the priests and Levites, bfor burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister and to give thanks and to praise in the gates of the camp of the LORD.

Reforms Continued

aHezekiah also appointed the king’s personal portion of his goods: for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the Sabbaths and for the New Moons and for the appointed feasts, bas it is written in the Law of the LORD. He also told (ordered) the people living in Jerusalem to give athe portion that was due to the priests and Levites, so that they might be free to devote themselves to bthe Law of the LORD. As soon as the king’s order spread, the Israelites gave in abundance the first fruits of grain, new wine, olive oil, honey, and of all the produce of the field; and they brought in athe tithe of everything abundantly. The sons of Israel and Judah who lived in the cities of Judah also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and athe tithe of sacred gifts which were consecrated to the LORD their God, and placed them in heaps. In the third month at the end of wheat harvest they began to make the heaps, and they finished them in the seventh month. When Hezekiah and the rulers came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD and aHis people Israel. Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and Levites about the heaps. 10 Azariah the high priest aof the house of Zadok answered him, “bSince the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat with plenty left over, for the LORD has blessed His people, and this great quantity is left over.”

11 Then Hezekiah told them to prepare arooms for storage in the house of the LORD, and they prepared them. 12 They faithfully brought in the contributions, the tithes, and the sacred (dedicated) things. Conaniah the Levite was in charge aof them, and Shimei his brother was second in authority. 13 Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath, and Benaiah were overseers directed by Conaniah and Shimei his brother by the appointment of King Hezekiah, and aAzariah was the chief officer of the house of God. 14 Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, keeper of the East Gate, was in charge of the voluntary offerings to God, to apportion the contributions for the LORD and the most holy things. 15 Under his authority were aEden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah in bthe cities of the priests, to distribute faithfully their portions to their brothers (relatives) by divisions, whether great or small, 16 without regard to their genealogical registration, to the males from athirty years old and upward—everyone who entered the house of the LORD bfor his daily obligations—for their service in accordance with their duties by their divisions; 17 as well as the priests who were registered genealogically according to their fathers’ households, and the Levites afrom twenty years old and upward, by their duties and by their divisions. 18 The genealogical registration included all their little children, their wives, and their sons and daughters, for the whole assembly, because they consecrated themselves faithfully in holiness. 19 Also for the sons of Aaron, the priests, who were in athe pasture lands of their cities or in each and every city, bthere were men who were designated by name to give portions to every male among the priests and to everyone genealogically registered among the Levites.

20 This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah; and ahe did what was good, right, and true before the LORD his God. 21 Every work which he began in the service of the house of God in keeping with the law and the commandment, seeking and inquiring of his God and longing for Him, he did with all his heart and aprospered.

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