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1. God, the supreme Lord and King of all the world, has ordained civil magistrates[1] to be, under Him, over the people for His own glory and the public good. For this purpose, God has armed them with the power of the sword[2] for the defense and encouragement of those who are good, and for the punishment of evildoers.
Romans 13:1–4 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; 1 Peter 2:13–14 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB)
2. It is biblical for Christians to accept and execute the office of magistrate when called to it.a In conducting their office, they ought especially to maintain piety, justice, and peace according to the wholesome laws of each commonwealth.[3], b Thus, for that purpose they may biblically—now under the New Testament—wage war upon just and necessary occasion.c
aProverbs 8:15–16 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; Romans 13:1–2, 4 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; bPsalm 2:10–12 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; 1 Timothy 2:2 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; Psalm 82:3–4 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; 2 Samuel 23:3 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB)
; 1 Peter 2:13 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; cLuke 3:14 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; Romans 13:4 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; Matthew 8:9–10 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; Acts 10:1–2 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; Revelation 17:14, 16 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB)
3. The civil magistrate may not assume to himself the administration of the Word and sacraments or the power of the keys[4] of the kingdom of heaven.a Yet he has authority, and it is his duty, to make provision that:
· Unity and peace be preserved in the Church
· The truth of God be kept pure and entire
· All blasphemies and heresies be suppressed
· All corruptions and abuses in worship and discipline are prevented or reformed
· All the ordinances of God are duly settled, administered, and observed.b
For the better effecting of these, he has power to call synods, to be present at them, and to provide that whatever is transacted in them be according to the mind of God.[5], c
a2 Chronicles 26:18 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) with
Matthew 18:17 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) and Matthew
16:19 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; 1 Corinthians 12:28–29 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; Ephesians 4:11–12 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; 1 Corinthians 4:1–2 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; Romans 10:15 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; Hebrews 5:4 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; bIsaiah 49:23 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; Psalm 122:9 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; Ezra 7:23–28 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ;[6] Leviticus
24:16 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; Deuteronomy 13:5–6, 12 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; 2 Kings 18:4 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; 1 Chronicles 13:1–9 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; 2 Kings 23:1–26 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; 2 Chronicles 34:33 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; 2 Chronicles 15:12–13 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; c2 Chronicles
19:8–11 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; 2 Chronicles 29–30 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; Matthew 2:4–5 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB)
4. It is the duty of people to:
Infidelity or difference in religion does not make void the magistrates’ just and legal authority, nor free the people from their due obedience to them.e Ecclesiastical persons are not exempted from this due obedience.f Much less has the Pope any power or jurisdiction over magistrates in their own countries or over any of their people. Least of all does the Pope have any power to deprive them of their offices or lives if he should judge them to be heretics, or upon any other pretense whatever.g
a1 Timothy 2:1–2 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; b1 Peter 2:17 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; cRomans 13:6–7 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; dRomans 13:5 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; Titus 3:1 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; e1 Peter
2:13–14, 16 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; fRomans 13:1 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; 1 Kings 2:35 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; Acts 25:9–11 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; 2 Peter 2:1, 10–11 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; Jude 8–11 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; g2 Thessalonians
2:4 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) ; Revelation 13:15–17 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB)
Scripture Texts Back to Main Page Previous Chapter Next Chapter
Ch. 23:1
Romans 13:1–4 (ESV) Back
1Let every person be subject to the
governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those
that exist have been instituted by God. 2Therefore whoever resists the authorities
resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3For
rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of
the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his
approval, 4for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you
do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the
servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.
Romans 13:1-4 (KJ3) Back
1¶ Let every soul be subject to
higher authorities having power, for there is no authority except from God, but
the existing authorities have been ordained by God.
2 So that the one resisting
authority has opposed the ordinance of God, and the ones opposing will
receive judgment to themselves.
3 For the rulers are not a terror
to good works, but to the bad ones. And do you desire not to fear the
authority? Do the good, and you will have praise from it;
4 for it is a servant of God to
you for the good. But if you do the bad things, be afraid; for it does
not bear the sword in vain; for it is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to
the one practicing bad things.
Romans 13:1–4 (NASB95) Back
1Every person is to be in subjection to the
governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those
which exist are established by God. 2Therefore whoever resists authority has
opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive
condemnation upon themselves. 3For rulers are not a cause of fear for
good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what
is good and you will have praise from the same; 4for it is a minister of God to you for
good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for
nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one
who practices evil.
Romans 13:1-4 (WEB) Back
1 Let every soul be in subjection to the
higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who
exist are ordained by God.
2 Therefore he who resists the authority,
withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to
themselves judgment.
3 For rulers are not a terror to the good
work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that
which is good, and you will have praise from the same,
4 for he is a servant of God to you for good.
But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn’t bear the sword in
vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil.
1 Peter 2:13–14 (ESV) Back
13Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human
institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14or to governors as sent by him to punish
those who do evil and to praise those who do good.
1 Peter 2:13-14 (KJ3) Back
13¶ Therefore be in obedience to
every human creation because of the Lord; whether to a king, as being supreme;
14 or to governors, as through him
having indeed being sent for vengeance on evil doers, but praise of
being well doers
1 Peter 2:13–14 (NASB95) Back
13Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to
every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14or to
governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of
those who do right.
1 Peter 2:13-14 (WEB) Back
13 Therefore subject yourselves to every ordinance
of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme;
14 or to governors, as sent by him for
vengeance on evildoers and for praise to those who do well.
Ch. 23:2
Proverbs 8:15–16 (ESV) Back
15By me kings reign, and rulers decree what
is just; 16by me princes rule, and nobles, all who govern
justly.
Proverbs 8:15-16 (KJ3) Back
15 By Me kings reign, and leaders
decree righteousness.
16 Rulers and nobles rule by Me,
and all the judges of the earth.
Proverbs 8:15–16 (NASB95) Back
15“By me kings reign, And rulers decree
justice. 16“By me princes rule, and nobles, All who judge
rightly.
Proverbs 8:15-16 (WEB) Back
15 By me kings
reign,
16 By me
princes rule;
Romans 13:1–2, 4 (ESV) Back
1Let every person be subject to the
governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those
that exist have been instituted by God. 2Therefore whoever resists the authorities
resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
4for he is God’s servant for your good. But
if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is
the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.
Romans 13:1-2, 4 (KJ3) Back
1¶ Let every soul be subject to
higher authorities having power, for there is no authority except from God, but
the existing authorities have been ordained by God.
2 So that the one resisting
authority has opposed the ordinance of God, and the ones opposing will
receive judgment to themselves.
4 for it is a servant of God to
you for the good. But if you do the bad things, be afraid; for it does
not bear the sword in vain; for it is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to
the one practicing bad things.
Romans 13:1–2, 4 (NASB95) Back
1Every person is to be in subjection to the
governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those
which exist are established by God. 2Therefore whoever resists authority has
opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive
condemnation upon themselves.
4for it is a minister of God to you for
good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for
nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one
who practices evil.
Romans 13:1-2, 4 (WEB) Back
1 Let every soul be in subjection to the
higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who
exist are ordained by God.
2 Therefore he who resists the authority,
withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to
themselves judgment.
4 for he is a servant of God to you for good.
But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn’t bear the sword in
vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil.
Psalm 2:10–12 (ESV) Back
10Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be
warned, O rulers of the earth. 11Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with
trembling. 12Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in
the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in
him.
Psalm 2:10-12 (KJ3) Back
10¶ And now be wise, O kings; be
taught, O judges of the earth:
11 Serve Jehovah with fear; yea,
rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry,
and you perish from the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed are all the ones seeking refuge in Him!
Psalm 2:10–12 (NASB95) Back
10Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth. 11Worship the Lord with reverence And
rejoice with trembling. 12Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry,
and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are
all who take refuge in Him!
Psalm 2:10-12 (WEB) Back
10 Now
therefore be wise, you kings.
11 Serve
Yahweh with fear,
12 Give
sincere homage to the Son,‡ lest he
be angry, and you perish on the way,
1 Timothy 2:2 (ESV) Back
2for kings and all who are in high
positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in
every way.
1 Timothy 2:2 (KJ3) Back
2 for kings and all the ones being
in preeminence, that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and
dignity.
1 Timothy 2:2 (NASB95) Back
2for kings and all who are in authority, so
that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
1 Timothy 2:2 (WEB) Back
2 for kings and all who are in high places;
that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence.
Psalm 82:3–4 (ESV) Back
3Give justice to the weak and the
fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. 4Rescue
the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
Psalm 82:3-4 (KJ3) Back
3 Judge the orphan and the poor one;
do justice to the afflicted one and the ones being needy.
4 Deliver the poor one and
the needy one; save them out of the hand of the wicked ones.
Psalm 82:3–4 (NASB95) Back
3Vindicate the weak and fatherless; Do
justice to the afflicted and destitute. 4Rescue the weak and needy; Deliver them
out of the hand of the wicked.
Psalm 82:3-4 (WEB) Back
3“Defend the
weak, the poor, and the fatherless.
4 Rescue the
weak and needy.
2 Samuel 23:3 (ESV) Back
3The God of Israel has spoken; the Rock of
Israel has said to me: When one rules justly over men, ruling in the fear of
God,
2 Samuel 23:3 (KJ3) Back
3 The God of Israel said, the Rock
of Israel spoke to me: One ruling over a righteous man, who rules in the
fear of God,
2 Samuel 23:3 (NASB95) Back
3“The God of Israel said, The Rock of
Israel spoke to me, ‘He who rules over men righteously, Who rules in the fear
of God,
2 Samuel 23:3 (WEB) Back
3 The God of
Israel said,
1 Peter 2:13 (ESV) Back
13Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human
institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme,
1 Peter 2:13 (KJ3) Back
13¶ Therefore be in obedience to
every human creation because of the Lord; whether to a king, as being supreme;
1 Peter 2:13 (NASB95) Back
13Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to
every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority,
1 Peter 2:13 (WEB) Back
13 Therefore subject yourselves to every
ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme;
Luke 3:14 (ESV) Back
14Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what
shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats
or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”
Luke 3:14 (KJ3) Back
14 And also ones serving as
soldiers asked him, saying, And we, what shall we do? And he said to them, Do
not forcibly extort anyone nor accuse falsely, and be satisfied with your
wages.
Luke 3:14 (NASB95) Back
14Some soldiers were questioning him,
saying, “And what about us, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not
take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with
your wages.”
Luke 3:14 (WEB) Back
14 Soldiers
also asked him, saying, “What about us? What must we do?”
Romans 13:4 (ESV) Back
4for he is God’s servant for your good. But
if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is
the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.
Romans 13:4 (KJ3) Back
4 for it is a servant of God to
you for the good. But if you do the bad things, be afraid; for it does
not bear the sword in vain; for it is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to
the one practicing bad things.
Romans 13:4 (NASB95) Back
4for it is a minister of God to you for
good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for
nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one
who practices evil.
Romans 13:4 (WEB) Back
4 for he is a servant of God to you for good.
But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn’t bear the sword in
vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil.
Matthew 8:9–10 (ESV) Back
9For I too am a man under authority, with
soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’
and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10When
Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I
tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.
Matthew 8:9-10 (KJ3) Back
9 For I am also a man under
authority, having soldiers under myself. And I say to this one, Go; and he
goes; and to another, Come; and he comes; and to my slave, Do this; and he does
it.
10 And hearing, Jesus marveled, and
said to those following, Truly I say to you, Not even in Israel did I find so
much faith.
Matthew 8:9–10 (NASB95) Back
9“For I also am a man under authority, with
soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another,
‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” 10Now
when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, “Truly
I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel.
Matthew 8:9-10 (WEB) Back
9 For I am also a man under authority, having
under myself soldiers. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and tell another,
‘Come,’ and he comes; and tell my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
10 When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and
said to those who followed, “Most
certainly I tell you, I haven’t found so great a faith, not even in Israel.
Acts 10:1–2 (ESV) Back
1At Caesarea there was a man named
Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2a devout
man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people,
and prayed continually to God.
Acts 10:1-2 (KJ3) Back
1¶ But a certain man, Cornelius by
name, was in
2 a devout one and fearing
God, with all his household, both doing many merciful deeds to the people and
praying to God through all.
Acts 10:1–2 (NASB95) Back
1Now there was a man at Caesarea named
Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian cohort, 2a devout
man and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the
Jewish people and prayed to God continually.
Acts 10:1-2 (WEB) Back
1 Now there was a certain man in
Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of what was called the Italian
Regiment,
2 a devout man, and one who feared God with
all his house, who gave gifts for the needy generously to the people, and
always prayed to God.
Revelation 17:14, 16 (ESV) Back
14They will make war on the Lamb, and the
Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those
with him are called and chosen and faithful.”
16And the ten horns that you saw, they and
the beast will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, and
devour her flesh and burn her up with fire,
Revelation 17:14, 16 (KJ3) Back
14¶ These will make war with the
Lamb, and the Lamb will prevail over them, because He is Lord of lords and King
of kings, and the ones with Him are the called ones and
elect ones and faithful ones.
16 And the ten horns which you saw
on the beast, these will hate the harlot, and will make her desolated and
naked. And they will eat her flesh, and will burn her up with fire.
Revelation 17:14, 16 (NASB95) Back
14“These will wage war against the Lamb, and
the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and
those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”
16“And the ten horns which you saw, and the
beast, these will hate the harlot and will make her desolate and naked, and
will eat her flesh and will burn her up with fire.
Revelation 17:14, 16 (WEB) Back
14 These will war against the Lamb, and the
Lamb will overcome them, for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings, and those
who are with him are called chosen and faithful.”
16 The ten horns which you saw, and the beast,
these will hate the prostitute, will make her desolate, will strip her naked,
will eat her flesh, and will burn her utterly with fire.
Ch. 23:3
2 Chronicles 26:18 (ESV) Back
18and they withstood King Uzziah and said to
him, “It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord, but for the
priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Go out of the
sanctuary, for you have done wrong, and it will bring you no honor from the
Lord God.”
2 Chronicles 26:18 (KJ3) Back
18 and they stood up against Uzziah
the king, and said to him, It is not for you, O Uzziah, to burn incense
to Jehovah, but to the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are sanctified to burn
incense; go out of the sanctuary, for you have trespassed; and it is not to
your honor from Jehovah God.
2 Chronicles 26:18 (NASB95) Back
18They opposed Uzziah the king and said to
him, “It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord, but for the
priests, the sons of Aaron who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the
sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful and will have no honor from the Lord
God.”
2 Chronicles 26:18 (WEB) Back
18 They resisted Uzziah the king, and said to
him, “It isn’t for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to Yahweh, but for the priests
the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Go out of the
sanctuary, for you have trespassed. It will not be for your honor from Yahweh
God.”
Matthew 18:17 (ESV) Back
17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it
to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to
you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
Matthew 18:17 (KJ3) Back
17 But if he refuses to hear them,
tell it to the assembly. And if he also refuses to hear the assembly,
let him be to you as the pagan and the tax collector.
Matthew 18:17 (NASB95) Back
17“If he refuses to listen to them, tell it
to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to
you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
Matthew 18:17 (WEB) Back
17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell
it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you
as a Gentile or a tax collector.
Matthew 16:19 (ESV) Back
19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of
heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever
you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Matthew 16:19 (KJ3) Back
19 And I will give to you the keys
of the kingdom of Heaven. And whatever you bind on earth shall be, having been
bound in Heaven. And whatever you may loose on the earth shall be, having been
loosed in Heaven.
Matthew 16:19 (NASB95) Back
19“I will give you the keys of the kingdom
of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and
whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”
Matthew 16:19 (WEB) Back
19 I will give to you the keys of the
Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in
heaven; and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven.”
1 Corinthians 12:28–29 (ESV) Back
28And God has appointed in the church first
apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of
healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29Are all
apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?
1 Corinthians 12:28-29 (KJ3) Back
28 And God placed some in the
assembly, firstly, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then works
of power; then gifts of healing, helps, governings, kinds of languages.
29 Are all apostles? All prophets? All
teachers? All workers of power?
1 Corinthians 12:28–29 (NASB95) Back
28And God has appointed in the church, first
apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of
healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. 29All are
not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers,
are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they?
1 Corinthians 12:28-29 (WEB) Back
28 God has set some in the assembly: first
apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of
healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages.
29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all
teachers? Are all miracle workers?
Ephesians 4:11–12 (ESV) Back
11And he gave the apostles, the prophets,
the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12to equip the saints for the work of
ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
Ephesians 4:11-12 (KJ3) Back
11 And indeed He gave the ones
to be apostles; and the ones prophets; and the ones evangelists;
and the ones shepherds and teachers;
12 for the equipping of the saints
for the work of the ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ,
Ephesians 4:11–12 (NASB95) Back
11And He gave some as apostles, and some as
prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12for the
equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body
of Christ;
Ephesians 4:11-12 (WEB) Back
11 He gave some to be apostles; and some,
prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds*
and teachers;
12 for the perfecting of the saints, to the
work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ;
1 Corinthians 4:1–2 (ESV) Back
1This is how one should regard us, as
servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2Moreover, it is required of stewards that
they be found trustworthy.
1 Corinthians 4:1-2 (KJ3) Back
1¶ Let a man count us as
under-servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2 For the rest, it is sought among
stewards that one be found faithful.
1 Corinthians 4:1–2 (NASB95) Back
1Let a man regard us in this manner, as
servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2In this case, moreover, it is required of
stewards that one be found trustworthy.
1 Corinthians 4:1-2 (WEB) Back
1 So let a man think of us as Christ’s
servants, and stewards of God’s mysteries.
2 Here, moreover, it is required of stewards,
that they be found faithful.
Romans 10:15 (ESV) Back
15And how are they to preach unless they are
sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the
good news!”
Romans 10:15 (KJ3) Back
15 And how may they preach if they
are not sent? Even as it is written, “How beautiful” “the feet of the ones preaching
the gospel of peace, of the ones preaching the gospel of good things.”
Romans 10:15 (NASB95) Back
15How will they preach unless they are sent?
Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news
of good things!”
Romans 10:15 (WEB) Back
15 And
how will they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:
Hebrews 5:4 (ESV) Back
4And no one takes this honor for himself,
but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.
Hebrews 5:4 (KJ3) Back
4 And no one takes the honor to
himself, but the one being called by God, even as Aaron also.
Hebrews 5:4 (NASB95) Back
4And no one takes the honor to himself, but
receives it when he is called by God, even as Aaron was.
Hebrews 5:4 (WEB) Back
4 Nobody takes this honor on himself, but he
is called by God, just like Aaron was.
Isaiah 49:23 (ESV) Back
23Kings shall be your foster fathers, and
their queens your nursing mothers. With their faces to the ground they shall
bow down to you, and lick the dust of your feet. Then you will know that I am
the Lord; those who wait for me shall not be put to shame.”
Isaiah 49:23 (KJ3) Back
23 And kings shall be supporting
you, and their princesses ones nursing you. They shall bow to you, faces
down to the earth, and lick up the dust of your feet. And you shall know
that I am Jehovah, by whom they who wait for Me shall not be ashamed.
Isaiah 49:23 (NASB95) Back
23“Kings will be your guardians, And their
princesses your nurses. They will bow down to you with their faces to the earth
And lick the dust of your feet; And you will know that I am the Lord; Those who
hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame.
Isaiah 49:23 (WEB) Back
23 Kings shall
be your foster fathers,
Psalm 122:9 (ESV) Back
9For the sake of the house of the Lord our
God, I will seek your good.
Psalm 122:9 (KJ3) Back
9 Because of the house of Jehovah,
our God, I will seek your good.
Psalm 122:9 (NASB95) Back
9For the sake of the house of the Lord our
God, I will seek your good.
Psalm 122:9 (WEB) Back
9 For the
sake of the house of Yahweh our God,
Ezra 7:23–28 (ESV) Back
23Whatever is decreed by the God of heaven,
let it be done in full for the house of the God of heaven, lest his wrath be
against the realm of the king and his sons. 24We also notify you that it shall not be
lawful to impose tribute, custom, or toll on anyone of the priests, the
Levites, the singers, the doorkeepers, the temple servants, or other servants
of this house of God. 25“And you, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your
God that is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges who may judge all the
people in the province Beyond the River, all such as know the laws of your God.
And those who do not know them, you shall teach. 26Whoever will not obey the law of your God
and the law of the king, let judgment be strictly executed on him, whether for
death or for banishment or for confiscation of his goods or for imprisonment.” 27Blessed
be the Lord, the God of our fathers, who put such a thing as this into the
heart of the king, to beautify the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem, 28and who
extended to me his steadfast love before the king and his counselors, and
before all the king’s mighty officers. I took courage, for the hand of the Lord
my God was on me, and I gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me.
Ezra 7:23-28 (KJ3) Back
23 Whatever is commanded by the God
of Heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of Heaven. For
why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?
24 And, we make known to you that
in regard to any of the priests and the Levites, singers, gatekeepers,
temple-slaves, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to
impose toll, taxes, or forced labor on them.
25 And you, Ezra, according to the
wisdom of your God in that is your hand, you appoint judges and
magistrates who may judge all the people who are Beyond the River; all
who know the laws of your God; and those who do not know, you cause to know.
26 And whoever will not do the Law
of your God, and the law of the king, let judgment be made diligently on him,
whether to death, or to exile, or to confiscation of goods, or imprisonment.
27¶ Blessed be Jehovah, the
God of our fathers, who has put this in the king’s heart, to beautify the house
of Jehovah in Jerusalem.
28 And He has extended mercy
to me before the king and his counselors, and before all the king’s mighty
leaders. And I was made strong, as the hand of Jehovah my God was on me.
And I gathered out of Israel chief men to go up with me.
Ezra 7:23–28 (NASB95) Back
23“Whatever is commanded by the God of
heaven, let it be done with zeal for the house of the God of heaven, so that
there will not be wrath against the kingdom of the king and his sons. 24“We
also inform you that it is not allowed to impose tax, tribute or toll on any of
the priests, Levites, singers, doorkeepers, Nethinim or servants of this house
of God. 25“You, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God
which is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges that they may judge all
the people who are in the province beyond the River, even all those who know
the laws of your God; and you may teach anyone who is ignorant of them. 26“Whoever
will not observe the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be
executed upon him strictly, whether for death or for banishment or for
confiscation of goods or for imprisonment.” 27Blessed be the Lord, the God of our
fathers, who has put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to adorn the
house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem, 28and has extended lovingkindness to me
before the king and his counselors and before all the king’s mighty princes.
Thus I was strengthened according to the hand of the Lord my God upon me, and I
gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me.
Ezra 7:23-28 (WEB) Back
23 Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven,
let it be done exactly for the house of the God of heaven; for why should there
be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?
24 Also we inform you that it shall not
be lawful to impose tribute, custom, or toll, on any of the priests, Levites,
singers, gatekeepers, temple servants, or laborers of this house of God.
25 You, Ezra, according to the wisdom of
your God that is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges, who may judge
all the people who are beyond the River, who all know the laws of your God; and
teach him who doesn’t know them.
26
Whoever will not do the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment
be executed on him with all diligence, whether it is to death, or to banishment,
or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.
27 Blessed be Yahweh, the God of our
fathers, who has put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify
Yahweh’s house which is in Jerusalem;
28 and has extended loving kindness to me
before the king and his counselors, and before all the king’s mighty princes. I
was strengthened according to Yahweh my God’s hand on me, and I gathered
together chief men out of Israel to go up with me.
Leviticus 24:16 (ESV) Back
16Whoever blasphemes the name of the Lord
shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall stone him. The
sojourner as well as the native, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to
death.
Leviticus 24:16 (KJ3) Back
16 And he who blasphemes the name
of Jehovah dying shall die. All the congregation stoning shall cast stones at
him. As to the alien, so to a native, when he blasphemes the Name, he
shall die.
Leviticus 24:16 (NASB95) Back
16‘Moreover, the one who blasphemes the name
of the Lord shall surely be put to death; all the congregation shall certainly
stone him. The alien as well as the native, when he blasphemes the Name, shall
be put to death.
Leviticus 24:16 (WEB) Back
16 He who blasphemes Yahweh’s name, he shall
surely be put to death. All the congregation shall certainly stone him. The
foreigner as well as the native-born, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put
to death.
Deuteronomy 13:5–6, 12 (ESV) Back
5But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams
shall be put to death, because he has taught rebellion against the Lord your
God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you out of the house
of slavery, to make you leave the way in which the Lord your God commanded you
to walk. So you shall purge the evil from your midst. 6“If your brother, the son of your mother,
or your son or your daughter or the wife you embrace or your friend who is as
your own soul entices you secretly, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods,’
which neither you nor your fathers have known,
12“If you hear in one of your cities, which
the Lord your God is giving you to dwell there,
Deuteronomy 13:5-6, 12 (KJ3) Back
5 And that prophet or that dreamer
of dreams shall be caused to die, because he has spoken apostasy against
Jehovah your God, who is bringing you out of the land of Egypt, and has
redeemed you out of the house of slaves, to drive you out of the way in which
Jehovah your God has commanded you to walk. And you shall put away the evil thing
from among you.
6¶ If your brother, your mother’s
son, or your son, or your daughter, or the wife of your bosom, or your friend
who is as your own soul, shall entice you secretly, saying, Let us go
and serve other gods, which you have not known, you and your fathers,
12¶ If, in one of your cities which
Jehovah your God is giving you to live in, you hear one saying,
Deuteronomy 13:5–6, 12 (NASB95) Back
5“But that prophet or that dreamer of
dreams shall be put to death, because he has counseled rebellion against the
Lord your God who brought you from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the
house of slavery, to seduce you from the way in which the Lord your God commanded
you to walk. So you shall purge the evil from among you. 6“If your brother, your mother’s son, or
your son or daughter, or the wife you cherish, or your friend who is as your
own soul, entice you secretly, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods’ (whom
neither you nor your fathers have known,
12“If you hear in one of your cities, which
the Lord your God is giving you to live in, anyone saying that
Deuteronomy 13:5-6, 12 (WEB) Back
5 That prophet, or that dreamer of dreams,
shall be put to death, because he has spoken rebellion against Yahweh your God,
who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of
bondage, to draw you aside out of the way which Yahweh your God commanded you
to walk in. So you shall remove the evil from among you.
6 If your brother, the son of your
mother, or your son, or your daughter, or the wife of your bosom, or your
friend, who is as your own soul, entices you secretly, saying, “Let’s go and
serve other gods,” which you have not known, you, nor your fathers;
12 If you shall hear about one of your
cities, which Yahweh your God gives you to dwell there, that
2 Kings 18:4 (ESV) Back
4He removed the high places and broke the
pillars and cut down the Asherah. And he broke in pieces the bronze serpent
that Moses had made, for until those days the people of Israel had made
offerings to it (it was called Nehushtan).
2 Kings 18:4 (KJ3) Back
4 he took away the high places,
and broke in pieces the pillars, and cut down the Asherah, and beat to bits the
bronze serpent that Moses made (for in those days it was that the sons of
Israel burned sacrifices to it) and he called it Nehushtan.
2 Kings 18:4 (NASB95) Back
4He removed the high places and broke down
the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah. He also broke in pieces the bronze
serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the sons of Israel burned
incense to it; and it was called Nehushtan.
2 Kings 18:4 (WEB) Back
4 He removed the high places, and broke the
pillars, and cut down the Asherah. He also broke in pieces the bronze serpent
that Moses had made, because in those days the children of Israel burned
incense to it; and he called it Nehushtan.
1 Chronicles 13:1–9 (ESV) Back
1David consulted with the commanders of
thousands and of hundreds, with every leader. 2And David said to all the assembly of
Israel, “If it seems good to you and from the Lord our God, let us send abroad
to our brothers who remain in all the lands of Israel, as well as to the
priests and Levites in the cities that have pasturelands, that they may be
gathered to us. 3Then let us bring again the ark of our God to us,
for we did not seek it in the days of Saul.” 4All the assembly agreed to do so, for the
thing was right in the eyes of all the people. 5So David assembled all Israel from the
Nile of Egypt to Lebo-hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim. 6And
David and all Israel went up to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath-jearim that belongs
to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of
the Lord who sits enthroned above the cherubim. 7And they carried the ark of God on a new
cart, from the house of Abinadab, and Uzzah and Ahio were driving the cart. 8And
David and all Israel were rejoicing before God with all their might, with song
and lyres and harps and tambourines and cymbals and trumpets. 9And when
they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah put out his hand to take hold
of the ark, for the oxen stumbled.
1 Chronicles 13:1-9 (KJ3) Back
1¶ And David consulted the chiefs
of the thousands and of the hundreds, to every leader.
2 And David said to all the
assembly of Israel, If it is good to you, and it has broken forth from Jehovah
our God, we shall send to our brothers those remaining in all the lands of
Israel, and with them the priests and the Levites in the cities of their open
lands, and they shall be gathered to us.
3 And we shall bring around to us
the ark of our God, for we did not seek Him in the days of Saul.
4 And all the assembly said to do
so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.
5 And David gathered all Israel,
from Shihor of Egypt even to the entering in of Hamath, to bring in the ark of
God from Kirjath-jearim.
6 And David and all Israel went up
to Baalah, to Kirjath-jearim of Judah, to bring up from there the ark of
Jehovah God, who dwells among the cherubs, there on which the Name was
called.
7 And they made the ark of God to
ride on a new cart from the house of Abinadab. And Uzza and Ahio were leading
the cart.
8 And David and all Israel were
playing before God with all their might, and with songs, and with
lyres, and with harps, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.
9¶ And when they came to the
threshingfloor of Chidon, then Uzza put out his hand to take hold of the ark,
for the oxen stumbled.
1 Chronicles 13:1–9 (NASB95) Back
1Then David consulted with the captains of
the thousands and the hundreds, even with every leader. 2David said to all the assembly of Israel,
“If it seems good to you, and if it is from the Lord our God, let us send
everywhere to our kinsmen who remain in all the land of Israel, also to the
priests and Levites who are with them in their cities with pasture lands, that
they may meet with us; 3and let us bring back the ark of our God to us,
for we did not seek it in the days of Saul.” 4Then all the assembly said that they would
do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people. 5So David
assembled all Israel together, from the Shihor of Egypt even to the entrance of
Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim. 6David and all Israel went up to Baalah,
that is, to Kiriath-jearim, which belongs to Judah, to bring up from there the
ark of God, the Lord who is enthroned above the cherubim, where His name is
called. 7They carried the ark of God on a new cart from the house of Abinadab, and
Uzza and Ahio drove the cart. 8David and all Israel were celebrating
before God with all their might, even with songs and with lyres, harps,
tambourines, cymbals and with trumpets. 9When they came to the threshing floor of
Chidon, Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark, because the oxen nearly upset
it.
1 Chronicles 13:1-9 (WEB) Back
1 David consulted with the captains of
thousands and of hundreds, even with every leader.
2 David said to all the assembly of Israel,
“If it seems good to you, and if it is of Yahweh our God, let’s send word
everywhere to our brothers who are left in all the land of Israel, with whom
the priests and Levites are in their cities that have pasture lands, that they
may gather themselves to us.
3 Also, let’s bring the ark of our God back to
us again; for we didn’t seek it in the days of Saul.”
4 All the assembly said that they would
do so; for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.
5 So David assembled all Israel together, from
the Shihor the brook of Egypt even to the entrance of Hamath, to bring God’s
ark from Kiriath Jearim.
6 David went up with all Israel to
Baalah, that is, to Kiriath Jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up from
there God Yahweh’s ark that sits above the cherubim, that is called by the
Name.
7 They carried God’s ark on a new cart, and
brought it out of Abinadab’s house; and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart.
8 David and all Israel played before God with
all their might, even with songs, with harps, with stringed instruments, with
tambourines, with cymbals, and with trumpets.
9 When they came to Chidon’s threshing floor,
Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.
2 Kings 23:1–26 (ESV) Back
1Then the king sent, and all the elders of
Judah and Jerusalem were gathered to him. 2And the king went up to the house of the
Lord, and with him all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem
and the priests and the prophets, all the people, both small and great. And he
read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been
found in the house of the Lord. 3And the king stood by the 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 his heart and all his soul, to
perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the
people joined in the covenant. 4And the king commanded Hilkiah the high
priest and the priests of the second order and the keepers of the threshold to
bring out of the temple of the Lord all the vessels made for Baal, for Asherah,
and for all the host of heaven. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields
of the Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel. 5And he deposed the priests whom the kings
of Judah had ordained to make offerings in the high places at the cities of
Judah and around Jerusalem; those also who burned incense to Baal, to the sun
and the moon and the constellations and all the host of the heavens. 6And he
brought out the Asherah from the house of the Lord, outside Jerusalem, to the
brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron and beat it to dust and cast
the dust of it upon the graves of the common people. 7And he broke down the houses of the male
cult prostitutes who were in the house of the Lord, where the women wove hangings
for the Asherah. 8And he brought all the priests out of the cities
of Judah, and defiled the high places where the priests had made offerings,
from Geba to Beersheba. And he broke down the high places of the gates that
were at the entrance of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which were
on one’s left at the gate of the city. 9However, the priests of the high places
did not come up to the altar of the Lord in Jerusalem, but they ate unleavened
bread among their brothers. 10And he defiled Topheth, which is in the
Valley of the Son of Hinnom, that no one might burn his son or his daughter as
an offering to Molech. 11And he removed the horses that the kings of Judah
had dedicated to the sun, at the entrance to the house of the Lord, by the
chamber of Nathan-melech the chamberlain, which was in the precincts. And he
burned the chariots of the sun with fire. 12And the altars on the roof of the upper
chamber of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars that
Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of the Lord, he pulled down
and broke in pieces and cast the dust of them into the brook Kidron. 13And the
king defiled the high places that were east of Jerusalem, to the south of the
mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth
the abomination of the Sidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and
for Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. 14And he broke in pieces the pillars and cut
down the Asherim and filled their places with the bones of men. 15Moreover,
the altar at Bethel, the high place erected by Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who
made Israel to sin, that altar with the high place he pulled down and burned,
reducing it to dust. He also burned the Asherah. 16And as Josiah turned, he saw the tombs
there on the mount. And he sent and took the bones out of the tombs and burned
them on the altar and defiled it, according to the word of the Lord that the
man of God proclaimed, who had predicted these things. 17Then he said, “What is that monument that
I see?” And the men of the city told him, “It is the tomb of the man of God who
came from Judah and predicted these things that you have done against the altar
at Bethel.” 18And he said, “Let him be; let no man move his
bones.” So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet who came out
of Samaria. 19And Josiah removed all the shrines also of the
high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which kings of Israel had made,
provoking the Lord to anger. He did to them according to all that he had done
at Bethel. 20And he sacrificed all the priests of the high
places who were there, on the altars, and burned human bones on them. Then he
returned to Jerusalem. 21And the king commanded all the people, “Keep the
Passover to the Lord your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.” 22For no
such Passover had been kept since the days of the judges who judged Israel, or
during all the days of the kings of Israel or of the kings of Judah. 23But in
the eighteenth year of King Josiah this Passover was kept to the Lord in
Jerusalem. 24Moreover, Josiah put away the mediums and the
necromancers and the household gods and the idols and all the abominations that
were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, that he might establish the
words of the law that were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in
the house of the Lord. 25Before him there was no king like him, who 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, nor did any like him arise after him. 26Still
the Lord did not turn from the burning of his great wrath, by which his anger
was kindled against Judah, because of all the provocations with which Manasseh
had provoked him.
2 Kings 23:1-26 (KJ3) Back
1¶ And the king sent, and they
gathered to him all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem.
2 And the king went up to the
house of Jehovah, and every man of Judah, and all the ones living in Jerusalem
with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, from small to
great; and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that
was found in the house of Jehovah.
3 And the king stood by the pillar,
and made the covenant before Jehovah, to walk after Jehovah, and to keep His
commandments, and His testimonies, and His statutes, with all his heart,
and with all his soul, to lift up the words of this covenant that were
written in this Book. And all the people stood to the covenant.
4¶ And the king commanded Hilkiah
the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the
door, to bring out from the temple of Jehovah all the vessels that were made
for Baal, and for Asherah, and for all the host of the heavens. And he burned
them at the outside of Jerusalem, in the fields of Kidron, and bore their ashes
to Beth-el.
5 And he caused to cease the
idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah had given place to burn incense
in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places around
Jerusalem, and those burning incense to Baal, to the sun, and to the
moon, and to constellations, and to all the host of the heavens.
6 And he brought out the Asherah
from the house of Jehovah to the outside of Jerusalem, to the torrent Kidron,
and burned it at the torrent Kidron, and pulverized it to powder, and
threw the powder of it on the graves of the sons of the people.
7 And he broke down the houses of
the male prostitutes that were in the house of Jehovah, there where the
women were weaving houses of the Asherah.
8 And he brought in all the
priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places there where the
priests burned incense, from Geba to Beer-sheba, and broke down the high
places of the gates that were at the entrance of the gate of Joshua the
ruler of the city, which were on a man’s left at the gate of the city.
9 However the priests of the high
places did not come up to the altar of Jehovah in Jerusalem, but they ate
unleavened bread among their brothers.
10 And he defiled Topheth in the
valley of the sons of Hinnom, so that no man could cause his son and his
daughter to pass through the fire of Molech.
11 And he caused to cease the
horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entrance of the
house of Jehovah, by the room of Nathan-melech the eunuch, that was in
the Parbor. And he burned with fire the chariots of the sun.
12 And the altars that were on
the top of the upper room of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the
altars which Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of Jehovah, the
king broke down, and ran from there and threw the dust of them into the torrent
Kidron.
13 And 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 built for Ashtoreth the idol
of the Sidonians, and for Chemosh the idol of the Moabites, and for Milcom the
disgusting idol of the sons of Ammon, the king defiled.
14 And he shattered the pillars,
and cut down the Asherahs, and filled their places with the bones of men.
15 And also the altar that was in
Beth-el, the high place that Jeroboam the son of Nebat had made by which he
made Israel to sin, both that altar and the high place he broke down, and
burned the high place; he pulverized it into powder, and burned the
Asherah.
16 And Josiah turned and saw the
graves that were there in the mount, and sent and took the bones out of
the graves and burned them on the altar, and defiled it, according to
the Word of Jehovah that the man of God had proclaimed, who had proclaimed
these things.
17 And he said, What is this
monument that I see? And the men of the city said to him, The grave of the man
of God who came from Judah and cried these things that you have done concerning
the altar of Beth-el.
18 And he said, Let him alone, let
no one touch his bones. And they let his bones escape with the bones of the
prophet that came out of Samaria.
19 And also all the houses of the
high places in the cities of Samaria, that the kings of Israel had made to
provoke Jehovah to anger, Josiah took away, and he did to them according
to all the acts that he had done in Beth-el.
20 And he slaughtered all the
priests of the high places who were there by the altars, and burned the
bones of man upon them, and returned to Jerusalem.
21 And the king commanded all the
people, saying, Perform a Passover to Jehovah your God, as it is written in
this book of the covenant.
22 Surely none has been performed
like this Passover from the days of the judges who judged Israel even to all
the days of the kings of Israel, and of the kings of Judah;
23 but in the eighteenth year of
King Josiah, this Passover was performed to Jehovah in Jerusalem.
24 And also the mediums and the
spiritknowers and the family gods, and the idols, and all the abominations that
were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, Josiah put away in order to
fulfill the words of the Law that were written in the book that Hilkiah the
priest had found in the house of Jehovah.
25¶ And there was no king before
him like him, who turned to Jehovah with all his heart, and with all his soul,
and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; and after him none
rose up like him.
26 However, Jehovah did not turn
away from the fury of His great anger, with which His anger glowed against
Judah, because of all the provocations with which Manasseh had provoked Him.
2 Kings 23:1–26 (NASB95) Back
1Then the king sent, and they gathered to
him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem. 2The king went up to 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 hearing all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in
the house of the Lord. 3The king stood by the 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 his heart and all his soul, to carry out
the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people
entered into the covenant. 4Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high
priest and the priests of the second order and the doorkeepers, to bring out of
the temple of the Lord all the vessels that were made for Baal, for Asherah,
and for all the host of heaven; and he burned them outside Jerusalem in the
fields of the Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel. 5He did away with the idolatrous priests
whom the kings of Judah had appointed to burn incense in the high places in the
cities of Judah and in the surrounding area of Jerusalem, also those who burned
incense to Baal, to the sun and to the moon and to the constellations and to
all the host of heaven. 6He brought out the Asherah from the house of the
Lord outside Jerusalem to the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron,
and ground it to dust, and threw its dust on the graves of the common people. 7He also
broke down the houses of the male cult prostitutes which were in the house of
the Lord, where the women were weaving hangings for the Asherah. 8Then he
brought all the priests from the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places
where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beersheba; and he broke down
the high places of the gates which were at the entrance of the gate of Joshua
the governor of the city, which were on one’s left at the city gate. 9Nevertheless
the priests of the high places did not go up to the altar of the Lord in
Jerusalem, but they ate unleavened bread among their brothers. 10He also
defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, that no man might
make his son or his daughter pass through the fire for Molech. 11He did
away with the horses which the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the
entrance of the house of the Lord, by the chamber of Nathan-melech the
official, which was in the precincts; and he burned the chariots of the sun
with fire. 12The altars which were on the roof, 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, the king broke
down; and he smashed them there and threw their dust into the brook Kidron. 13The
high places which were before Jerusalem, which were on the right of the mount
of destruction which Solomon the king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the
abomination of the Sidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for
Milcom the abomination of the sons of Ammon, the king defiled. 14He
broke in pieces the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherim and filled their
places with human bones. 15Furthermore, the altar that was at Bethel
and the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin, had
made, even that altar and the high place he broke down. Then he demolished its
stones, ground them to dust, and burned the Asherah. 16Now when Josiah turned, he saw the graves
that were there on the mountain, and he sent and took the bones from the graves
and burned them on the altar and defiled it according to the word of the Lord
which the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these things. 17Then he
said, “What is this monument that I see?” And the men of the city told him, “It
is the grave of the man of God who came from Judah and proclaimed these things
which you have done against the altar of Bethel.” 18He said, “Let him alone; let no one
disturb his bones.” So they left his bones undisturbed with the bones of the
prophet who came from Samaria. 19Josiah also removed all the houses of the
high places which were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had
made provoking the Lord; and he did to them just as he had done in Bethel. 20All the
priests of the high places who were there he slaughtered on the altars and
burned human bones on them; then he returned to Jerusalem.
21Then the king
commanded all the people saying, “Celebrate the Passover to the Lord your God
as it is written in this book of the covenant.” 22Surely such a Passover had not been
celebrated from the days of the judges who judged Israel, nor in all the days
of the kings of Israel and of the kings of Judah. 23But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah,
this Passover was observed to the Lord in Jerusalem. 24Moreover, Josiah removed the mediums and
the spiritists and the teraphim and the idols and all the abominations that
were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, that he might confirm the
words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found
in the house of the Lord. 25Before him there was no king like him who
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; nor did any like him arise after him. 26However,
the Lord did not turn from the fierceness of His great wrath with which His
anger burned against Judah, because of all the provocations with which Manasseh
had provoked Him.
2 Kings 23:1-26 (WEB) Back
1 The king sent, and they gathered to
him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem.
2 The king went up to Yahweh’s house, and all
the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, with the
priests, the prophets, and all the people, both small and great; and he read in
their hearing all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in
Yahweh’s house.
3 The king stood by the pillar, and made a
covenant before Yahweh, to walk after Yahweh, and to keep his commandments, his
testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and all his soul, to confirm
the words of this covenant that were written in this book; and all the people
agreed to the covenant.
4 The king commanded Hilkiah the high priest,
and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the threshold, to bring
out of Yahweh’s temple all the vessels that were made for Baal, for the
Asherah, and for all the army of the sky, and he burned them outside of Jerusalem
in the fields of the Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel.
5 He got rid of 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 around Jerusalem; those also who burned
incense to Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all
the army of the sky.
6 He brought out the Asherah from Yahweh’s
house, outside of Jerusalem, to the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook
Kidron, and beat it to dust, and cast its dust on the graves of the common
people.
7 He broke down the houses of the male shrine
prostitutes that were in Yahweh’s house, where the women wove hangings for the
Asherah.
8 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 he broke down the high places of the gates that
were at the entrance of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which were
on a man’s left hand at the gate of the city.
9 Nevertheless the priests of the high places
didn’t come up to Yahweh’s altar in Jerusalem, but they ate unleavened bread
among their brothers.
10 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.
11 He took away the horses that the kings of
Judah had given to the sun, at the entrance of Yahweh’s house, by the room of
Nathan Melech the officer, who was in the court; and he burned the chariots of
the sun with fire.
12 The king broke down the altars that were on
the roof of the upper room of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the
altars which Manasseh had made in the two courts of Yahweh’s house, and beat
them down from there, and cast their dust into the brook Kidron.
13 The king defiled the high places that were
before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mountain of corruption,
which Solomon the king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the
Sidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Milcom the
abomination of the children of Ammon.
14 He broke in pieces the pillars, cut down the
Asherah poles, and filled their places with men’s bones.
15 Moreover the altar that was at Bethel, and
the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had
made, even that altar and the high place he broke down; and he burned the high
place and beat it to dust, and burned the Asherah.
16 As Josiah turned himself, he spied the tombs
that were there in the mountain; and he sent, and took the bones out of the
tombs, and burned them on the altar, and defiled it, according to Yahweh’s word
which the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these things.
17
Then he said, “What monument is that which I see?”
18 He said, “Let him be! Let no one move
his bones.” So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet who came
out of Samaria.
19 All the houses also of the high places that
were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke
Yahweh to anger, Josiah took away, and did to them according to all the acts
that he had done in Bethel.
20 He killed all the priests of the high places
that were there, on the altars, and burned men’s bones on them; and he returned
to Jerusalem.
21 The king commanded all the people,
saying, “Keep the Passover to Yahweh your God, as it is written in this book of
the covenant.”
22 Surely there was not kept such a Passover
from the days of the judges who judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings
of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah;
23 but in the eighteenth year of king Josiah,
this Passover was kept to Yahweh in Jerusalem.
24 Moreover Josiah removed those who had
familiar spirits, the wizards, and the teraphim,*
and the idols, and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and
in Jerusalem, that he might confirm the words of the law which were written in
the book that Hilkiah the priest found in Yahweh’s house.
25 There was no king like him before him, who
turned to Yahweh with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his
might, according to all the law of Moses; and there was none like him who arose
after him.
26 Notwithstanding, Yahweh didn’t turn from the
fierceness of his great wrath, with which his anger burned against Judah,
because of all the provocation with which Manasseh had provoked him.
2 Chronicles 34:33 (ESV) Back
33And Josiah took away all the abominations
from all the territory that belonged to the people of Israel and made all who
were present in Israel serve the Lord their God. All his days they did not turn
away from following the Lord, the God of their fathers.
2 Chronicles 34:33 (KJ3) Back
33 And Josiah removed all the
disgusting things out of all the lands that belonged to the sons of
Israel, and caused everyone who was found in Israel to serve, to serve Jehovah
their God; all his days they did not turn away from following Jehovah, the God
of their fathers.
2 Chronicles 34:33 (NASB95) Back
33Josiah removed all the abominations from
all the lands belonging to the sons of Israel, and made all who were present in
Israel to serve the Lord their God. Throughout his lifetime they did not turn
from following the Lord God of their fathers.
2 Chronicles 34:33 (WEB) Back
33 Josiah took away all the abominations out of
all the countries that belonged to the children of Israel, and made all who
were found in Israel to serve, even to serve Yahweh their God. All his days
they didn’t depart from following Yahweh, the God of their fathers.
2 Chronicles 15:12–13 (ESV) Back
12And they entered into a covenant to seek
the Lord, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their
soul, 13but that whoever would not seek the Lord, the God of Israel, should be put
to death, whether young or old, man or woman.
2 Chronicles 15:12-13 (KJ3) Back
12 And they entered into the
covenant to seek Jehovah the God of their fathers with all their heart and with
all their soul.
13 And everyone who did not seek after
Jehovah the God of Israel was caused to die, from the small even to the great,
from man and to woman.
2 Chronicles 15:12–13 (NASB95) Back
12They entered into the covenant to seek the
Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and soul; 13and whoever would not seek the Lord God of
Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, man or woman.
2 Chronicles 15:12-13 (WEB) Back
12 They entered into the covenant to seek
Yahweh, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their soul;
13 and that whoever would not seek Yahweh, the
God of Israel, should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or
woman.
2 Chronicles 19:8–11 (ESV) Back
8Moreover, in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat
appointed certain Levites and priests and heads of families of Israel, to give
judgment for the Lord and to decide disputed cases. They had their seat at
Jerusalem. 9And he charged them: “Thus you shall do in the
fear of the Lord, in faithfulness, and with your whole heart: 10whenever
a case comes to you from your brothers who live in their cities, concerning
bloodshed, law or commandment, statutes or rules, then you shall warn them,
that they may not incur guilt before the Lord and wrath may not come upon you
and your brothers. Thus you shall do, and you will not incur guilt. 11And
behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the Lord; and
Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the governor of the house of Judah, in all the
king’s matters, and the Levites will serve you as officers. Deal courageously,
and may the Lord be with the upright!”
2 Chronicles 19:8-11 (KJ3) Back
8 And also in Jerusalem
Jehoshaphat caused to stand from the Levites and from the priests, and from the
heads of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of Jehovah, and for strife;
and they returned to Jerusalem.
9 And he charged them, saying, So
shall you do in the fear of Jehovah, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.
10 And when any contention shall
come to you from your brothers who are living in their cities, between blood
and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, then you shall
warn them, and they shall not be guilty before Jehovah; and wrath shall
not be on you and on your brothers; so you shall do, and you shall not be
guilty.
11 And, behold, Amariah the chief
priest shall be over you for every matter of Jehovah, and Zebadiah the
son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, shall be for every matter of
the king; and the Levites shall be officers before you. Be strong and
act; and Jehovah shall be with the good.
2 Chronicles 19:8–11 (NASB95) Back
8In Jerusalem also Jehoshaphat appointed
some of the Levites and priests, and some of the heads of the fathers’
households of Israel, for the judgment of the Lord and to judge disputes among
the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 9Then he charged them saying, “Thus you
shall do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully and wholeheartedly. 10“Whenever
any dispute comes to you from your brethren who live in their cities, between
blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, you
shall warn them so that they may not be guilty before the Lord, and wrath may
not come on you and your brethren. Thus you shall do and you will not be
guilty. 11“Behold, Amariah the chief priest will be over you
in all that pertains to the Lord, and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of
the house of Judah, in all that pertains to the king. Also the Levites shall be
officers before you. Act resolutely, and the Lord be with the upright.”
2 Chronicles 19:8-11 (WEB) Back
8 Moreover in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat
appointed Levites and priests, and of the heads of the fathers’ households of
Israel, for the judgment of Yahweh, and for controversies. They returned to
Jerusalem.
9 He commanded them, saying, “You shall do
this in the fear of Yahweh, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.
10 Whenever any controversy comes to you from
your brothers who dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law
and commandment, statutes and ordinances, you must warn them, that they not be
guilty towards Yahweh, and so wrath come on you and on your brothers. Do this,
and you will not be guilty.
11 Behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you
in all matters of Yahweh; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the
house of Judah, in all the king’s matters. Also the Levites shall be officers
before you. Deal courageously, and may Yahweh be with the good.”
2 Chronicles 29–30 (ESV) Back
1Hezekiah began to reign when he was
twenty-five years old, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His
mother’s name was Abijah the daughter of Zechariah. 2And he did what was right in the eyes of
the Lord, according to all that David his father had done.
3In the first year
of his reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of the Lord
and repaired them. 4He brought in the priests and the Levites and
assembled them in the square on the east 5and said to them, “Hear me, Levites! Now
consecrate yourselves, and consecrate the house of the Lord, the God of your
fathers, and carry out the filth from the Holy Place. 6For our fathers have been unfaithful and
have done what was evil in the sight of the Lord our God. They have forsaken
him and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the Lord and turned
their backs. 7They also shut the doors of the vestibule and put
out the lamps and have not burned incense or offered burnt offerings in the
Holy Place to the God of Israel. 8Therefore the wrath of the Lord came on
Judah and Jerusalem, and he has made them an object of horror, of astonishment,
and of hissing, as you see with your own eyes. 9For behold, our fathers have fallen by the
sword, and our sons and our daughters and our wives are in captivity for this. 10Now it
is in my heart to make a covenant with the Lord, the God of Israel, in order
that his fierce anger may turn away from us. 11My sons, do not now be negligent, for the
Lord has chosen you to stand in his presence, to minister to him and to be his
ministers and make offerings to him.” 12Then the Levites arose, Mahath the son of
Amasai, and Joel the son of Azariah, of the sons of the Kohathites; and of the
sons of Merari, Kish the son of Abdi, and Azariah the son of Jehallelel; and of
the Gershonites, Joah the son of Zimmah, and Eden the son of Joah; 13and of
the sons of Elizaphan, Shimri and Jeuel; and of the sons of Asaph, Zechariah
and Mattaniah; 14and of the sons of Heman, Jehuel and Shimei; and
of the sons of Jeduthun, Shemaiah and Uzziel. 15They gathered their brothers and
consecrated themselves and went in as the king had commanded, by the words of
the Lord, to cleanse the house of the Lord. 16The priests went into the inner part of
the house of the Lord to cleanse it, and they brought out all the uncleanness
that they found in the temple of the Lord into the court of the house of the
Lord. And the Levites took it and carried it out to the brook Kidron. 17They
began to consecrate on the first day of the first month, and on the eighth day
of the month they came to the vestibule of the Lord. Then for eight days they
consecrated the house of the Lord, and on the sixteenth day of the first month
they finished. 18Then they went in to Hezekiah the king and said,
“We have cleansed all the house of the Lord, the altar of burnt offering and
all its utensils, and the table for the showbread and all its utensils. 19All the
utensils that King Ahaz discarded in his reign when he was faithless, we have
made ready and consecrated, and behold, they are before the altar of the Lord.” 20Then
Hezekiah the king rose early and gathered the officials of the city and went up
to the house of the Lord. 21And they brought seven bulls, seven rams,
seven lambs, and seven male goats for a sin offering for the kingdom and for
the sanctuary and for Judah. And he commanded the priests, the sons of Aaron,
to offer them on the altar of the Lord. 22So they slaughtered the bulls, and the
priests received the blood and threw it against the altar. And they slaughtered
the rams, and their blood was thrown against the altar. And they slaughtered
the lambs, and their blood was thrown against the altar. 23Then the goats for the sin offering were
brought to the king and the assembly, and they laid their hands on them, 24and the
priests slaughtered them and made a sin offering with their blood on the altar,
to make atonement for all Israel. For the king commanded that the burnt
offering and the sin offering should be made for all Israel. 25And he
stationed the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, harps, and lyres,
according to the commandment of David and of Gad the king’s seer and of Nathan
the prophet, for the commandment was from the Lord through his prophets. 26The
Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. 27Then
Hezekiah commanded that the burnt offering be offered on the altar. And when
the burnt offering began, the song to the Lord began also, and the trumpets,
accompanied by the instruments of David king of Israel. 28The whole assembly worshiped, and the
singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded. All this continued until the burnt
offering was finished. 29When the offering was finished, the king and all
who were present with him bowed themselves and worshiped. 30And Hezekiah the king and the officials
commanded the Levites to sing praises to the Lord with the words of David and
of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed down and
worshiped. 31Then Hezekiah said, “You have now consecrated
yourselves to the Lord. Come near; bring sacrifices and thank offerings to the
house of the Lord.” And the assembly brought sacrifices and thank offerings,
and all who were of a willing heart brought burnt offerings. 32The
number of the burnt offerings that the assembly brought was 70 bulls, 100 rams,
and 200 lambs; all these were for a burnt offering to the Lord. 33And the
consecrated offerings were 600 bulls and 3,000 sheep. 34But the priests were too few and could not
flay all the burnt offerings, so until other priests had consecrated
themselves, their brothers the Levites helped them, until the work was
finished—for the Levites were more upright in heart than the priests in
consecrating themselves. 35Besides the great number of burnt
offerings, there was the fat of the peace offerings, and there were the drink
offerings for the burnt offerings. Thus the service of the house of the Lord
was restored. 36And Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced because
God had prepared for the people, for the thing came about suddenly. 1Hezekiah
sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh,
that they should come to the house of the Lord at Jerusalem to keep the
Passover to the Lord, the God of Israel. 2For the king and his princes and all the
assembly in Jerusalem had taken counsel to keep the Passover in the second
month— 3for they could not keep it at that time because the priests had not
consecrated themselves in sufficient number, nor had the people assembled in
Jerusalem— 4and the plan seemed right to the king and all the
assembly. 5So they decreed to make a proclamation throughout
all Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, that the people should come and keep the
Passover to the Lord, the God of Israel, at Jerusalem, for they had not kept it
as often as prescribed. 6So couriers went throughout all Israel and Judah
with letters from the king and his princes, as the king had commanded, saying,
“O people of Israel, return to the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel,
that he may turn again to the remnant of you who have escaped from the hand of
the kings of Assyria. 7Do not be like your fathers and your brothers, who
were faithless to the Lord God of their fathers, so that he made them a desolation,
as you see. 8Do not now be stiff-necked as your fathers were,
but yield yourselves to the Lord and come to his sanctuary, which he has
consecrated forever, and serve the Lord your God, that his fierce anger may
turn away from you. 9For if you return to the Lord, your brothers and
your children will find compassion with their captors and return to this land.
For the Lord your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn away his face
from you, if you return to him.” 10So the couriers went from city to city
through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, and as far as Zebulun, but they
laughed them to scorn and mocked them. 11However, some men of Asher, of Manasseh,
and of Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem. 12The hand of God was also on Judah to give
them one heart to do what the king and the princes commanded by the word of the
Lord. 13And many people came together in Jerusalem to keep the Feast of Unleavened
Bread in the second month, a very great assembly. 14They set to work and removed the altars
that were in Jerusalem, and all the altars for burning incense they took away
and threw into the Kidron Valley. 15And they slaughtered the Passover lamb on
the fourteenth day of the second month. And the priests and the Levites were
ashamed, so that they consecrated themselves and brought burnt offerings into
the house of the Lord. 16They took their accustomed posts according to the
Law of Moses the man of God. The priests threw the blood that they received
from the hand of the Levites. 17For there were many in the assembly who
had not consecrated themselves. Therefore the Levites had to slaughter the
Passover lamb for everyone who was not clean, to consecrate it to the Lord. 18For a
majority of the people, many of them from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and
Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover otherwise than
as prescribed. For Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, “May the good Lord
pardon everyone 19who sets his heart to seek God, the Lord, the God
of his fathers, even though not according to the sanctuary’s rules of
cleanness.” 20And the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people. 21And the
people of Israel who were present at Jerusalem kept the Feast of Unleavened
Bread seven days with great gladness, and the Levites and the priests praised
the Lord day by day, singing with all their might to the Lord. 22And
Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites who showed good skill in the
service of the Lord. So they ate the food of the festival for seven days,
sacrificing peace offerings and giving thanks to the Lord, the God of their
fathers. 23Then the whole assembly agreed together to keep
the feast for another seven days. So they kept it for another seven days with
gladness. 24For Hezekiah king of Judah gave the assembly 1,000
bulls and 7,000 sheep for offerings, and the princes gave the assembly 1,000
bulls and 10,000 sheep. And the priests consecrated themselves in great
numbers. 25The whole assembly of Judah, and the priests and
the Levites, and the whole assembly that came out of Israel, and the sojourners
who came out of the land of Israel, and the sojourners who lived in Judah,
rejoiced. 26So there was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the
time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there had been nothing like this
in Jerusalem. 27Then the priests and the Levites arose and blessed
the people, and their voice was heard, and their prayer came to his holy
habitation in heaven.
2 Chronicles 29-30 (KJ3) Back
1¶ Hezekiah was a son of
twenty five years when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty nine years in
Jerusalem. And the name of his mother was Abijah, the daughter of
Zechariah.
2 And he did the right in the eyes
of Jehovah, according to all that his father David did.
3 In the first year of his reign,
in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of Jehovah and
strengthened them.
4 And he brought in the
priests and the Levites, and he gathered them to the open place on the
east.
5 And he said to them, Hear me, O
Levites, now consecrate yourselves. And consecrate the house of Jehovah, the
God of your fathers, and bring out the uncleanness from the holy place.
6 For our fathers have acted
unfaithfully and did the evil in the eyes of Jehovah our God, and they have
forsaken Him and turned their faces away from the temple of Jehovah, and have
given their backs.
7 And they have shut the doors of
the porch, and put out the lamps, and they have not burned incense, and burnt
offering has not gone up in the sanctuary to the God of Israel.
8 And the wrath of Jehovah is on
Judah and Jerusalem, and He has given them for a trembling, for a horror, and
for hissing, as you see with your eyes.
9 For, behold, our fathers have fallen
by the sword, and our sons and our daughters and our wives are in exile
for this.
10 Now it is in my heart to
cut a covenant with Jehovah, the God of Israel, and the glow of His anger shall
turn back from us.
11 Now, my sons, do not be
negligent, for Jehovah has chosen you to stand before His face, to serve Him
and to be ministers and incense burners for Him.
12¶ And the Levites rose up: Mahath
the son of Amasai, and Joel the son of Azariah, of the sons of the Kohathites;
and of the sons of Merari, Kish the son of Abdi, and Azariah the son of
Jehalelel; and of the Gershonites, Joah the son of Zimmah, and Eden the son of
Joah;
13 and of the sons of Elizaphan,
Shimri and Jeiel; and of the sons of Asaph, Zechariah and Mattaniah;
14 and of the sons of Heman, Jehiel
and Shimei; and of the sons of Jeduthun, Shemaiah and Uzziel.
15 And they gathered their brothers
and sanctified themselves, and came in, according to the commandment of the
king in the matters of Jehovah, to cleanse the house of Jehovah.
16 And the priests went into the
inner part of the house of Jehovah to clean, and brought out all the
uncleanness that they found in the temple of Jehovah to the court of the house
of Jehovah; and the Levites received and took it out to the torrent
Kidron outside.
17 And they began to sanctify on
the first of the first month, and on the eighth day of the month they came to
the porch of Jehovah; and they sanctified the house of Jehovah in eight days,
and on the sixteenth day of the first month they had finished.
18 And they came inside to Hezekiah
the king, and said, We have cleansed all the house of Jehovah, and the altar of
the burnt offering, and all its vessels, and the table of the Bread of
Arrangement, and all its utensils;
19 and all the utensils that King
Ahaz cast aside in his reign, in his unfaithfulness, we have prepared and
sanctified; and behold, they are before the altar of Jehovah.
20¶ And Hezekiah the king rose
early and gathered the leaders of the city, and went up to the house of
Jehovah.
21 And they brought in seven bulls,
and seven rams, and seven lambs, and seven young he-goats for a sin offering
for the kingdom, and for the sanctuary, and for Judah. And he commanded the
sons of Aaron, the priests, to offer on the altar of Jehovah.
22 And they slaughtered the oxen,
and the priests received the blood, and sprinkled the blood on the altar. And
they slaughtered the rams, and sprinkled the blood on the altar. And they
slaughtered the lambs and sprinkled the blood on the altar.
23 And they brought the he-goats of
the sin offering before the king and the congregation, and they laid their
hands on them;
24 and the priests slaughtered
them, and made a sin offering with their blood on the altar, to atone for all
Israel; for the king said, The burnt offering and the sin offering are for all
Israel.
25 And he made stand the Levites in
the house of Jehovah with cymbals, with harps, and with lyres, by the
command of David, and of Gad, the seer of the king, and of Nathan the prophet;
for the command was by the hand of Jehovah, by the hand of His prophets.
26 And the Levites stood with the
instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets.
27 And Hezekiah commanded to offer
burnt offering on the altar; and at the time the burnt offering began, the song
of Jehovah began, and of the trumpets, even by the hand of the instruments of
David the king of Israel.
28 And all the assembly were
bowing, and the singers singing, and the trumpeters blowing; all until the
completion of the burnt offering.
29 And at the completion of the
offering the king and all those found with him bowed and worshiped.
30 And Hezekiah the king and the
leaders commanded the Levites to give praise to Jehovah in the words of David,
and of Asaph the seer; and they praised with joy, and they bowed and worshiped.
31 And Hezekiah answered and said,
Now you have filled your hand to Jehovah; come near and bring sacrifices and
thank offerings to the house of Jehovah. And the congregation brought in
sacrifices and thank offerings, and every willing heart brought burnt
offerings.
32 And the number of the burnt
offerings that the assembly brought was seventy oxen, a hundred rams, two
hundred lambs; all these for a burnt offering to Jehovah.
33 And the dedicated things were
six hundred oxen and three thousand sheep.
34 Only, the priests had become
few, and were not able to skin all of the burnt offerings; and their brothers
the Levites strengthened them until the work was completed, and until the
priests cleansed themselves; for the Levites were more upright of heart
to sanctify themselves than the priests.
35 And also, there were many
burnt offerings with fat of the peace offerings, and with drink offerings for
the burnt offering; and the service of the house of Jehovah was established.
36 And Hezekiah and all the people
rejoiced, because God had prepared the people; for the thing had happened
suddenly.
1¶ And Hezekiah sent to all Israel
and Judah, and he also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh, to come to the
house of Jehovah in Jerusalem, to make a Passover to Jehovah the God of Israel.
2 And the king and his leaders,
and all the assembly in Jerusalem, took counsel to keep the Passover in the
second month;
3 since they could not do it at
that time, for the priests had not sanctified themselves enough. And the people
had not been gathered to Jerusalem.
4 And the thing was right in the
eyes of the king, and in the eyes of the assembly.
5 And they established a decree to
pass through a call to all Israel, from Beer-sheba even to Dan, to come to make
a Passover to Jehovah the God of Israel in Jerusalem. For not many of them had
done as it is written.
6 And the runners went with
letters from the king’s hand, and his leaders, to all Israel and Judah; even by
the king’s command, saying, O sons of Israel return to Jehovah, the God of
Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. And He shall return to the remnant left of you from
the palm of the king of Assyria.
7 And do not be like your fathers,
and like your brothers, who acted unfaithfully against Jehovah the God of their
fathers; and He made them for a horror, as you see.
8 Now do not stiffen your necks
like your fathers. Give a hand to Jehovah and come to His sanctuary that He has
sanctified forever; and serve Jehovah your God. And the anger of His face will
turn away from you.
9 For when you return to Jehovah,
your brothers and your sons will have mercies before ones who captured
them, even to return to this land. For Jehovah your God is gracious and
merciful, and He will not turn His face away from you, if you turn back
to Him.
10 And the runners passed from city
to city in the land of Ephraim, and Manasseh, even to Zebulun. And they were
laughing at them, and mocking them.
11 Only, men from Asher, and
Manasseh, and from Zebulun were humbled, and came to Jerusalem.
12 Also, in Judah the hand of God
was to give to them one heart to do the king’s command, and of the leaders, by
the Word of Jehovah.
13¶ And many people gathered to
Jerusalem, to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the second month, a
very large assembly.
14 And they rose up and took away
the altars in Jerusalem, and all the incense altars they took away and threw them
into the torrent Kidron.
15 And they killed the passover
offering on the fourteenth of the second month. And the priests and the Levites
were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought in burnt offerings to the
house of Jehovah.
16 And they stood in their place
according to their ordinance, according to the Law of Moses the man of God. The
priests were sprinkling the blood out of the hand of the Levites.
17 For many in the assembly had not
sanctified themselves, and the Levites were over the slaughtering of the
passover offerings for everyone not clean, to sanctify them to Jehovah.
18 For many of the assembly, many
from Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun had not been sanctified, but
ate the passover not as was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, O
good Jehovah, atone for them,
19 everyone who has prepared his
heart to seek Jehovah God, the God of his fathers, yet not according to the
cleansing of the sanctuary.
20 And Jehovah listened to
Hezekiah, and healed the people.
21¶ And the sons of Israel, those
found in Jerusalem, kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with
great joy. And the Levites praised Jehovah day to day, and the priests, with
instruments of strength before Jehovah.
22 And Hezekiah spoke to the heart
of all the Levites, those acting wisely in good understanding as to Jehovah.
And they ate the appointed feast seven days, offering sacrifices of
peace offerings, and making confession to Jehovah, the God of their fathers.
23 And all the assembly took
counsel to keep another seven days. And they kept seven days joyfully.
24 And Hezekiah the king of Judah
had lifted up to the assembly a thousand young bulls, and seven thousand sheep.
And the leaders had lifted up to the assembly a thousand young bulls, and ten
thousand sheep. And the priests had sanctified themselves in abundance.
25 And all the assembly of Judah
rejoiced, and the priests and the Levites, and all the assembly that came from
the land of Israel, and the aliens who came from the land of Israel, and those
living in Judah.
26 And there was great joy in
Jerusalem, for from the days of Solomon the son of David the king of Israel, there
was nothing like this in Jerusalem.
27 And the priests, the Levites,
rose up and blessed the people, and their voice was heard, and their prayer
came to His holy dwelling place, to Heaven.
2 Chronicles 29–30 (NASB95) Back
1Hezekiah became king when he was
twenty-five years old; and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. And his
mother’s name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah. 2He did right in the sight of the Lord,
according to all that his father David had done. 3In the first year of his reign, in the
first month, he opened the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired them. 4He
brought in the priests and the Levites and gathered them into the square on the
east. 5Then he said to them, “Listen to me, O Levites. Consecrate yourselves now,
and consecrate the house of the Lord, the God of your fathers, and carry the
uncleanness out from the holy place. 6“For our fathers have been unfaithful and
have done evil in the sight of the Lord our God, and have forsaken Him and
turned their faces away from the dwelling place of the Lord, and have turned
their backs. 7“They have also shut the doors of the porch and
put out the lamps, and have not burned incense or offered burnt offerings in the
holy place to the God of Israel. 8“Therefore the wrath of the Lord was
against Judah and Jerusalem, and He has made them an object of terror, of
horror, and of hissing, as you see with your own eyes. 9“For behold, our fathers have fallen by
the sword, and our sons and our daughters and our wives are in captivity for
this. 10“Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel, that
His burning anger may turn away from us. 11“My sons, do not be negligent now, for the
Lord has chosen you to stand before Him, to minister to Him, and to be His
ministers and burn incense.” 12Then the Levites arose: Mahath, the son of
Amasai and Joel the son of Azariah, from the sons of the Kohathites; and from
the sons of Merari, Kish the son of Abdi and Azariah the son of Jehallelel; and
from the Gershonites, Joah the son of Zimmah and Eden the son of Joah; 13and
from the sons of Elizaphan, Shimri and Jeiel; and from the sons of Asaph,
Zechariah and Mattaniah; 14and from the sons of Heman, Jehiel and
Shimei; and from the sons of Jeduthun, Shemaiah and Uzziel. 15They
assembled their brothers, consecrated themselves, and went in to cleanse the
house of the Lord, according to the commandment of the king by the words of the
Lord. 16So the priests went in to the inner part of the house of the Lord to
cleanse it, and every unclean thing which they found in the temple of the Lord
they brought out to the court of the house of the Lord. Then the Levites
received it to carry out to the Kidron valley. 17Now they began the consecration on the
first day of the first month, and on the eighth day of the month they entered
the porch of the Lord. Then they consecrated the house of the Lord in eight
days, and finished on the sixteenth day of the first month. 18Then
they went in to King Hezekiah and said, “We have cleansed the whole house of
the Lord, the altar of burnt offering with all of its utensils, and the table
of showbread with all of its utensils. 19“Moreover, all the utensils which King
Ahaz had discarded during his reign in his unfaithfulness, we have prepared and
consecrated; and behold, they are before the altar of the Lord.” 20Then
King Hezekiah arose early and assembled the princes of the city and went up to
the house of the Lord. 21They brought seven bulls, seven rams, seven lambs
and seven male goats for a sin offering for the kingdom, the sanctuary, and
Judah. And he ordered the priests, the sons of Aaron, to offer them on the
altar of the Lord. 22So they slaughtered the bulls, and the priests
took the blood and sprinkled it on the altar. They also slaughtered the rams
and sprinkled the blood on the altar; they slaughtered the lambs also and
sprinkled the blood on the altar. 23Then they brought the male goats of the
sin offering before the king and the assembly, and they laid their hands on
them. 24The priests slaughtered them and purged the altar with their blood to atone
for all Israel, for the king ordered the burnt offering and the sin offering
for all Israel. 25He then stationed the Levites in the house of the
Lord with cymbals, with harps and with lyres, according to the command of David
and of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet; for the command was from
the Lord through His prophets. 26The Levites stood with the musical
instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. 27Then Hezekiah gave the order to offer the
burnt offering on the altar. When the burnt offering began, the song to the
Lord also began with the trumpets, accompanied by the instruments of David,
king of Israel. 28While the whole assembly worshiped, the singers
also sang and the trumpets sounded; all this continued until the burnt offering
was finished. 29Now at the completion of the burnt offerings, the
king and all who were present with him bowed down and worshiped. 30Moreover,
King Hezekiah and the officials ordered the Levites to sing praises to the Lord
with the words of David and Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with joy, and
bowed down and worshiped. 31Then Hezekiah said, “Now that you have
consecrated yourselves to the Lord, come near and bring sacrifices and thank
offerings to the house of the Lord.” And the assembly brought sacrifices and
thank offerings, and all those who were willing brought burnt offerings. 32The
number of the burnt offerings which the assembly brought was 70 bulls, 100
rams, and 200 lambs; all these were for a burnt offering to the Lord. 33The
consecrated things were 600 bulls and 3,000 sheep. 34But the priests were too few, so that they
were unable to skin all the burnt offerings; therefore their brothers the
Levites helped them until the work was completed and until the other priests
had consecrated themselves. For the Levites were more conscientious to
consecrate themselves than the priests. 35There were also many burnt offerings with
the fat of the peace offerings and with the libations for the burnt offerings.
Thus the service of the house of the Lord was established again. 36Then
Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced over what God had prepared for the people,
because the thing came about suddenly. 1Now Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah
and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the
house of the Lord at Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover to the Lord God of
Israel. 2For the king and his princes and all the assembly in Jerusalem had decided
to celebrate the Passover in the second month, 3since they could not celebrate it at that
time, because the priests had not consecrated themselves in sufficient numbers,
nor had the people been gathered to Jerusalem. 4Thus the thing was right in the sight of
the king and all the assembly. 5So they established a decree to circulate
a proclamation throughout all Israel from Beersheba even to Dan, that they
should come to celebrate the Passover to the Lord God of Israel at Jerusalem. For
they had not celebrated it in great numbers as it was prescribed. 6The
couriers went throughout all Israel and Judah with the letters from the hand of
the king and his princes, even according to the command of the king, saying, “O
sons of Israel, return to the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, that He
may return to those of you who escaped and are left from the hand of the kings
of Assyria. 7“Do not be like your fathers and your brothers,
who were unfaithful to the Lord God of their fathers, so that He made them a
horror, as you see. 8“Now do not stiffen your neck like your fathers,
but yield to the Lord and enter His sanctuary which He has consecrated forever,
and serve the Lord your God, that His burning anger may turn away from you. 9“For if
you return to the Lord, your brothers and your sons will find compassion before
those who led them captive and will return to this land. For the Lord your God
is gracious and compassionate, and will not turn His face away from you if you
return to Him.” 10So the couriers passed from city to city through
the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, and as far as Zebulun, but they laughed
them to scorn and mocked them. 11Nevertheless some men of Asher, Manasseh
and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem. 12The hand of God was also on Judah to give
them one heart to do what the king and the princes commanded by the word of the
Lord. 13Now many people were gathered at Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of
Unleavened Bread in the second month, a very large assembly. 14They
arose and removed the altars which were in Jerusalem; they also removed all the
incense altars and cast them into the brook Kidron. 15Then they slaughtered the Passover lambs
on the fourteenth of the second month. And the priests and Levites were ashamed
of themselves, and consecrated themselves and brought burnt offerings to the
house of the Lord. 16They stood at their stations after their custom,
according to the law of Moses the man of God; the priests sprinkled the blood
which they received from the hand of the Levites. 17For there were many in the assembly who
had not consecrated themselves; therefore, the Levites were over the slaughter
of the Passover lambs for everyone who was unclean, in order to consecrate them
to the Lord. 18For a multitude of the people, even many from
Ephraim and Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun, had not purified themselves, yet
they ate the Passover otherwise than prescribed. For Hezekiah prayed for them,
saying, “May the good Lord pardon 19everyone who prepares his heart to seek
God, the Lord God of his fathers, though not according to the purification
rules of the sanctuary.” 20So the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the
people. 21The sons of Israel present in Jerusalem celebrated
the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days with great joy, and the Levites
and the priests praised the Lord day after day with loud instruments to the
Lord. 22Then Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites who showed good
insight in the things of the Lord. So they ate for the appointed seven days,
sacrificing peace offerings and giving thanks to the Lord God of their fathers. 23Then
the whole assembly decided to celebrate the feast another seven days, so they
celebrated the seven days with joy. 24For Hezekiah king of Judah had contributed
to the assembly 1,000 bulls and 7,000 sheep, and the princes had contributed to
the assembly 1,000 bulls and 10,000 sheep; and a large number of priests
consecrated themselves. 25All the assembly of Judah rejoiced, with the
priests and the Levites and all the assembly that came from Israel, both the
sojourners who came from the land of Israel and those living in Judah. 26So
there was great joy in Jerusalem, because there was nothing like this in
Jerusalem since the days of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel. 27Then
the Levitical priests arose and blessed the people; and their voice was heard
and their prayer came to His holy dwelling place, to heaven.
2 Chronicles 29-30 (WEB) Back
1 Hezekiah began to reign when he was
twenty-five years old, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His
mother’s name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah.
2 He did that which was right in Yahweh’s
eyes, according to all that David his father had done.
3 In the first year of his reign, in the first
month, he opened the doors of Yahweh’s house, and repaired them.
4 He brought in the priests and the Levites,
and gathered them together into the wide place on the east,
5 and said to them, “Listen to me, you
Levites! Now sanctify yourselves, and sanctify Yahweh, the God of your fathers’
house, and carry the filthiness out of the holy place.
6 For our fathers were unfaithful, and have
done that which was evil in Yahweh our God’s sight, and have forsaken him, and
have turned away their faces from the habitation of Yahweh, and turned their
backs.
7 Also they have shut up the doors of the
porch, and put out the lamps, and have not burned incense nor offered burnt
offerings in the holy place to the God of Israel.
8 Therefore Yahweh’s wrath was on Judah and
Jerusalem, and he has delivered them to be tossed back and forth, to be an
astonishment, and a hissing, as you see with your eyes.
9 For, behold, our fathers have fallen by the
sword, and our sons and our daughters and our wives are in captivity for this.
10 Now it is in my heart to make a covenant
with Yahweh, the God of Israel, that his fierce anger may turn away from us.
11 My sons, don’t be negligent now; for Yahweh
has chosen you to stand before him, to minister to him, and that you should be
his ministers, and burn incense.”
12 Then the Levites arose, Mahath, the
son of Amasai, and Joel the son of Azariah, of the sons of the Kohathites; and
of the sons of Merari, Kish the son of Abdi, and Azariah the son of Jehallelel;
and of the Gershonites, Joah the son of Zimmah, and Eden the son of Joah;
13 and of the sons of Elizaphan, Shimri and
Jeuel; and of the sons of Asaph, Zechariah and Mattaniah;
14 and of the sons of Heman, Jehuel and Shimei;
and of the sons of Jeduthun, Shemaiah and Uzziel.
15 They gathered their brothers, sanctified
themselves, and went in, according to the commandment of the king by Yahweh’s
words, to cleanse Yahweh’s house.
16 The priests went into the inner part of
Yahweh’s house to cleanse it, and brought out all the uncleanness that they
found in Yahweh’s temple into the court of Yahweh’s house. The Levites took it
from there to carry it out to the brook Kidron.
17 Now they began on the first day of the first
month to sanctify, and on the eighth day of the month they came to Yahweh’s
porch. They sanctified Yahweh’s house in eight days, and on the sixteenth day
of the first month they finished.
18 Then they went in to Hezekiah the king
within the palace, and said, “We have cleansed all Yahweh’s house, including
the altar of burnt offering with all its vessels, and the table of show bread
with all its vessels.
19 Moreover all the vessels, which king Ahaz in
his reign threw away when he was unfaithful, have we prepared and sanctified.
Behold, they are before Yahweh’s altar.”
20 Then Hezekiah the king arose early,
gathered the princes of the city, and went up to Yahweh’s house.
21 They brought seven bulls, seven rams, seven
lambs, and seven male goats, for a sin offering for the kingdom, for the
sanctuary, and for Judah. He commanded the priests the sons of Aaron to offer
them on Yahweh’s altar.
22 So they killed the bulls, and the priests
received the blood, and sprinkled it on the altar. They killed the rams, and
sprinkled the blood on the altar. They also killed the lambs, and sprinkled the
blood on the altar.
23 They brought near the male goats for the sin
offering before the king and the assembly; and they laid their hands on them.
24 Then the priests killed them, and they made
a sin offering with their blood on the altar, to make atonement for all Israel;
for the king commanded that the burnt offering and the sin offering should be
made for all Israel.
25 He set the Levites in Yahweh’s house
with cymbals, with stringed instruments, and with harps, according to the
commandment of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and Nathan the prophet; for the
commandment was from Yahweh by his prophets.
26 The Levites stood with David’s instruments,
and the priests with the trumpets.
27 Hezekiah commanded them to offer the burnt
offering on the altar. When the burnt offering began, Yahweh’s song also began,
along with the trumpets and David king of Israel’s instruments.
28 All the assembly worshiped, the singers
sang, and the trumpeters sounded. All this continued until the burnt offering
was finished.
29 When they had finished offering, the
king and all who were present with him bowed themselves and worshiped.
30 Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes
commanded the Levites to sing praises to Yahweh with the words of David, and of
Asaph the seer. They sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and
worshiped.
31 Then Hezekiah answered, “Now you have
consecrated yourselves to Yahweh. Come near and bring sacrifices and thank
offerings into Yahweh’s house.” The assembly brought in sacrifices and thank
offerings, and as many as were of a willing heart brought burnt offerings.
32 The number of the burnt offerings which the
assembly brought was seventy bulls, one hundred rams, and two hundred lambs.
All these were for a burnt offering to Yahweh.
33 The consecrated things were six hundred head
of cattle and three thousand sheep.
34 But the priests were too few, so that they
could not skin all the burnt offerings. Therefore their brothers the Levites
helped them, until the work was ended, and until the priests had sanctified
themselves; for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves
than the priests.
35 Also the burnt offerings were in abundance,
with the fat of the peace offerings, and with the drink offerings for every
burnt offering. So the service of Yahweh’s house was set in order.
36 Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced,
because of that which God had prepared for the people; for the thing was done
suddenly.
1 Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah,
and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to
Yahweh’s house at Jerusalem, to keep the Passover to Yahweh, the God of Israel.
2 For the king had taken counsel with his
princes and all the assembly in Jerusalem to keep the Passover in the second
month.
3 For they could not keep it at that time,
because the priests had not sanctified themselves in sufficient number, and the
people had not gathered themselves together to Jerusalem.
4 The thing was right in the eyes of the king
and of all the assembly.
5 So they established a decree to make
proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba even to Dan, that they
should come to keep the Passover to Yahweh, the God of Israel, at Jerusalem,
for they had not kept it in great numbers in the way it is written.
6 So the couriers went with the letters
from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to
the commandment of the king, saying, “You children of Israel, turn again to
Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that he may return to the
remnant of you that have escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.
7 Don’t be like your fathers and like your
brothers, who trespassed against Yahweh, the God of their fathers, so that he
gave them up to desolation, as you see.
8 Now don’t be stiff-necked, as your fathers
were, but yield yourselves to Yahweh, and enter into his sanctuary, which he
has sanctified forever, and serve Yahweh your God, that his fierce anger may turn
away from you.
9 For if you turn again to Yahweh, your
brothers and your children will find compassion before those who led them
captive, and will come again into this land, because Yahweh your God is
gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if you return
to him.”
10 So the couriers passed from city to
city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, even to Zebulun, but people
ridiculed them and mocked them.
11 Nevertheless some men of Asher and Manasseh
and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem.
12 Also the hand of God came on Judah to give
them one heart, to do the commandment of the king and of the princes by
Yahweh’s word.
13 Many people assembled at Jerusalem to
keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great assembly.
14 They arose and took away the altars that
were in Jerusalem, and they took away all the altars for incense and threw them
into the brook Kidron.
15 Then they killed the Passover on the
fourteenth day of the second month. The priests and the Levites were ashamed,
and sanctified themselves, and brought burnt offerings into Yahweh’s house.
16 They stood in their place after their order,
according to the law of Moses the man of God. The priests sprinkled the blood
which they received of the hand of the Levites.
17 For there were many in the assembly who had
not sanctified themselves: therefore the Levites were in charge of killing the
Passovers for everyone who was not clean, to sanctify them to Yahweh.
18 For a multitude of the people, even many of
Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they
ate the Passover other than the way it is written. For Hezekiah had prayed for
them, saying, “May the good Yahweh pardon everyone
19 who sets his heart to seek God, Yahweh, the
God of his fathers, even if they aren’t clean according to the purification of
the sanctuary.”
20 Yahweh listened to Hezekiah, and
healed the people.
21 The children of Israel who were present at
Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness.
The Levites and the priests praised Yahweh day by day, singing with loud
instruments to Yahweh.
22 Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the
Levites who had good understanding in the service of Yahweh. So they ate throughout
the feast for the seven days, offering sacrifices of peace offerings, and
making confession to Yahweh, the God of their fathers.
23 The whole assembly took counsel to
keep another seven days, and they kept another seven days with gladness.
24 For Hezekiah king of Judah gave to the
assembly for offerings one thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep; and the
princes gave to the assembly a thousand bulls and ten thousand sheep: and a
great number of priests sanctified themselves.
25 All the assembly of Judah, with the priests
and the Levites, and all the assembly who came out of Israel, and the
foreigners who came out of the land of Israel, and who lived in Judah,
rejoiced.
26 So there was great joy in Jerusalem; for
since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was nothing
like this in Jerusalem.
27 Then the priests the Levites arose and
blessed the people. Their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy
habitation, even to heaven.
Matthew 2:4–5 (ESV) Back
4and assembling all the chief priests and
scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5They
told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
Matthew 2:4-5 (KJ3) Back
4 And having gathered all the
chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked of them where the Christ was
to be born.
5 And they said to him, In
Bethlehem of
Matthew 2:4–5 (NASB95) Back
4Gathering together all the chief priests
and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be
born. 5They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written
by the prophet:
Matthew 2:4-5 (WEB) Back
4 Gathering together all the chief priests and
scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born.
5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea,
for this is written through the prophet,
Ch. 23:4
1 Timothy 2:1–2 (ESV) Back
1First of all, then, I urge that
supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2for
kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet
life, godly and dignified in every way.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (KJ3) Back
1¶ First of all therefore, I
exhort that petitions, prayers, supplications, and thanksgivings
be made on behalf of all men,
2 for kings and all the ones being
in preeminence, that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and
dignity.
1 Timothy 2:1–2 (NASB95) Back
1First of all, then, I urge that entreaties
and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2for
kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet
life in all godliness and dignity.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (WEB) Back
1 I exhort therefore, first of all, that
petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks, be made for all men:
2 for kings and all who are in high places;
that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence.
1 Peter 2:17 (ESV) Back
17Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear
God. Honor the emperor.
1 Peter 2:17 (KJ3) Back
17 honor all, love the brotherhood,
fear God, honor the king.
1 Peter 2:17 (NASB95) Back
17Honor all people, love the brotherhood,
fear God, honor the king.
1 Peter 2:17 (WEB) Back
17 Honor all men. Love the brotherhood.
Fear God. Honor the king.
Romans 13:6–7 (ESV) Back
6For because of this you also pay taxes,
for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7Pay to
all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue
is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
Romans 13:6-7 (KJ3) Back
6 For on this account you also pay
taxes, for they are ministers of God, attending continually to this very
thing.
7¶ Therefore give over to all their
dues: to the one due tax, the tax; to the one due tribute,
the tribute; to the one due fear, the fear; to the one due honor,
the honor.
Romans 13:6–7 (NASB95) Back
6For because of this you also pay taxes,
for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7Render
to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to
whom fear; honor to whom honor.
Romans 13:6-7 (WEB) Back
6 For this reason you also pay taxes, for they
are servants of God’s service, attending continually on this very thing.
7 Therefore give everyone what you owe: if you
owe taxes, pay taxes; if customs, then customs; if respect, then respect; if
honor, then honor.
Romans 13:5 (ESV) Back
5Therefore one must be in subjection, not
only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.
Romans 13:5 (KJ3) Back
5 Therefore it is necessary
to be subject, not only on account of wrath, but also on account of conscience.
Romans 13:5 (NASB95) Back
5Therefore it is necessary to be in
subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.
Romans 13:5 (WEB) Back
5 Therefore you need to be in subjection, not
only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.
Titus 3:1 (ESV) Back
1Remind them to be submissive to rulers and
authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
Titus 3:1 (KJ3) Back
1¶ Remind them to be subject to
rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready in every good work,
Titus 3:1 (NASB95) Back
1Remind them to be subject to rulers, to
authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed,
Titus 3:1 (WEB) Back
1 Remind them to be in subjection to
rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
1 Peter 2:13–14, 16 (ESV) Back
13Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every
human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14or to
governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do
good.
16Live as people who are free, not using
your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.
1 Peter 2:13-14, 16 (KJ3) Back
13¶ Therefore be in obedience to
every human creation because of the Lord; whether to a king, as being supreme;
14 or to governors, as through him
having indeed being sent for vengeance on evil doers, but praise of
being well doers
16 as free men, and not
having freedom as a cover of evil, but as slaves of God;
1 Peter 2:13–14, 16 (NASB95) Back
13Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to
every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14or to
governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of
those who do right.
16Act as free men, and do not use your freedom
as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.
1 Peter 2:13-14, 16 (WEB) Back
13 Therefore subject yourselves to every
ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme;
14 or to governors, as sent by him for
vengeance on evildoers and for praise to those who do well.
16 as free, and not using your freedom for a
cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God.
Romans 13:1 (ESV) Back
1Let every person be subject to the
governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those
that exist have been instituted by God.
Romans 13:1 (KJ3) Back
1¶ Let every soul be subject to
higher authorities having power, for there is no authority except from God, but
the existing authorities have been ordained by God.
Romans 13:1 (NASB95) Back
1Every person is to be in subjection to the
governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those
which exist are established by God.
Romans 13:1 (WEB) Back
1 Let every soul be in subjection to the
higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who
exist are ordained by God.
1 Kings 2:35 (ESV) Back
35The king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada
over the army in place of Joab, and the king put Zadok the priest in the place
of Abiathar.
1 Kings 2:35 (KJ3) Back
35¶ And the king put Benaiah the
son of Jehoiada in his place over the army. And the king put Zadok the priest
in the place of Abiathar.
1 Kings 2:35 (NASB95) Back
35The king appointed Benaiah the son of Jehoiada
over the army in his place, and the king appointed Zadok the priest in the
place of Abiathar.
1 Kings 2:35 (WEB) Back
35 The king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in
his place over the army; and the king put Zadok the priest in the place of
Abiathar.
Acts 25:9–11 (ESV) Back
9But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a
favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on
these charges before me?” 10But Paul said, “I am standing before
Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong,
as you yourself know very well. 11If then I am a wrongdoer and have
committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death.
But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to
them. I appeal to Caesar.”
Acts 25:9-11 (KJ3) Back
9 But desiring to lay up a favor
to the Jews, answering Paul, Festus said, Going up, are you willing to go to
10 But Paul said, I am standing
before the tribunal of Caesar where I must be judged. I have wronged the Jews in
nothing, as also you very well know.
11 For if I indeed do wrong and
have done anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die. But if there is
nothing of which they accuse me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to
Caesar.
Acts 25:9–11 (NASB95) Back
9But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor,
answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial
before me on these charges?” 10But Paul said, “I am standing before
Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews,
as you also very well know. 11“If, then, I am a wrongdoer and have
committed anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die; but if none of
those things is true of which these men accuse me, no one can hand me over to
them. I appeal to Caesar.”
Acts 25:9-11 (WEB) Back
9 But Festus, desiring to gain favor
with the Jews, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem,
and be judged by me there concerning these things?”
10 But Paul said, “I am standing before
Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the
Jews, as you also know very well.
11 For if I have done wrong, and have committed
anything worthy of death, I don’t refuse to die; but if none of those things is
true that they accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to
Caesar!”
2 Peter 2:1, 10–11 (ESV) Back
1But false prophets also arose among the
people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring
in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon
themselves swift destruction.
10and especially those who indulge in the
lust of defiling passion and despise authority. Bold and willful, they do not
tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones, 11whereas angels, though greater in might
and power, do not pronounce a blasphemous judgment against them before the
Lord.
2 Peter 2:1, 10-11 (KJ3) Back
1¶ But there also came to
be false prophets among the people, as also among you will be false teachers
who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the One having
bought them, the Master, bringing swift destruction on themselves.
10¶ and most of all the ones going
after flesh in the lust of defilement, and despising rulership, darers,
self-pleasing; they do not tremble at glories, blaspheming;
11 where angels, being greater in
strength and power, do not bring against them a blasphemous charge before the
Lord.
2 Peter 2:1, 10–11 (NASB95) Back
1But false prophets also arose among the
people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly
introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them,
bringing swift destruction upon themselves.
10and especially those who indulge the flesh
in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they do not
tremble when they revile angelic majesties, 11whereas angels who are greater in might
and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord.
2 Peter 2:1, 10-11 (WEB) Back
1 But false prophets also arose among
the people, as false teachers will also be among you, who will secretly bring
in destructive heresies, denying even the Master who bought them, bringing on
themselves swift destruction.
10 but chiefly those who walk after the flesh
in the lust of defilement, and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they are
not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries;
11 whereas angels, though greater in might and
power, don’t bring a railing judgment against them before the Lord.
Jude 8–11 (ESV) Back
8Yet in like manner these people also,
relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the
glorious ones. 9But when the archangel Michael, contending with
the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to
pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” 10But
these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed
by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively. 11Woe to
them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake
of gain to Balaam’s error and perished in Korah’s rebellion.
Jude 8-11 (KJ3) Back
8¶ Likewise, indeed, also these
dreaming ones even defile flesh, and reject lordship, and blaspheme
glories.
9 But Michael the archangel, when
contending with the devil, he argued about the body of Moses; he dared not
bring a judgment of blasphemy, but said, “Let the Lord rebuke you!”†
10 But as many things as
they do not know, they speak evil of these. And what things they understand
naturally, like the animals without reason, they are corrupted by these.
11 Woe to them, because they went
the way of Cain, and gave themselves up to the error of Balaam for reward, and
perished in the rebellion of Korah!
Jude 8–11 (NASB95) Back
8Yet in the same way these men, also by
dreaming, defile the flesh, and reject authority, and revile angelic majesties. 9But
Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the
body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said,
“The Lord rebuke you!” 10But these men revile the things which they do not
understand; and the things which they know by instinct, like unreasoning
animals, by these things they are destroyed. 11Woe to them! For they have gone the way of
Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam, and
perished in the rebellion of Korah.
Jude 8-11 (WEB) Back
8 Yet in the same way, these also in their
dreaming defile the flesh, despise authority, and slander celestial beings.
9 But Michael, the archangel, when contending
with the devil and arguing about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him
an abusive condemnation, but said, “May the Lord rebuke you!”
10 But these speak evil of whatever things they
don’t know. They are destroyed in these things that they understand naturally,
like the creatures without reason.
11 Woe to them! For they went in the way of
Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in
Korah’s rebellion.
2 Thessalonians 2:4 (ESV) Back
4who opposes and exalts himself against
every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the
temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.
2 Thessalonians 2:4 (KJ3) Back
4 the one opposing and
exalting himself over every thing being called God, or object of
worship, so as for him “to sit in the temple of God” as God, setting forth
himself, that he is God.
2 Thessalonians 2:4 (NASB95) Back
4who opposes and exalts himself above every
so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of
God, displaying himself as being God.
2 Thessalonians 2:4 (WEB) Back
4 he who opposes and exalts himself against
all that is called God or that is worshiped; so that he sits as God in the
temple of God, setting himself up as God.
Revelation 13:15–17 (ESV) Back
15And it was allowed to give breath to the
image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might
cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. 16Also it
causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to
be marked on the right hand or the forehead, 17so that no one can buy or sell unless he
has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name.
Revelation 13:15-17 (KJ3) Back
15 And it was given to it to give a
spirit to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even
speak, and might cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to
be killed.
16 And it makes all people,
the small ones and the great ones, and the rich ones and
the poor ones, and the freemen and the slaves, that it may give
to all of them a mark on their right hand, or on their foreheads,
17 even that not any could buy or
sell, except the one having the mark, or the name of the beast, or the
number of its name.
Revelation 13:15–17 (NASB95) Back
15And it was given to him to give breath to
the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and
cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16And he
causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free
men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their
forehead, 17and he provides that no one will be able to buy or
to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the
number of his name.
Revelation 13:15-17 (WEB) Back
15 It was given to him to give breath to it, to
the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and
cause as many as wouldn’t worship the image of the beast to be killed.
16 He causes all, the small and the great, the
rich and the poor, and the free and the slave, to be given marks on their right
hands, or on their foreheads;
17 and that no one would be able to buy or to
sell, unless he has that mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of
his name.
Footnotes
Matthew 18:18 (ESV) Back
18Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on
earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed
in heaven.
Matthew 18:18 (KJ3) Back
18 Truly I say to you, as many things
as you bind on the earth will be, having been bound in Heaven. And as many things
as you loose on the earth will be, having been loosed in Heaven.
Matthew 18:18 (NASB95) Back
18“Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on
earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall
have been loosed in heaven.
Matthew 18:18 (WEB) Back
18 Most certainly I tell you, whatever
things you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever things
you release on earth will have been released in heaven.
Ezra 7:24 (ESV) Back
24We also notify you that it shall not be
lawful to impose tribute, custom, or toll on anyone of the priests, the
Levites, the singers, the doorkeepers, the temple servants, or other servants
of this house of God.
Ezra 7:24 (KJ3) Back
24 And, we make known to you that
in regard to any of the priests and the Levites, singers, gatekeepers,
temple-slaves, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to
impose toll, taxes, or forced labor on them.
Ezra 7:24 (NASB95) Back
24“We also inform you that it is not allowed
to impose tax, tribute or toll on any of the priests, Levites, singers,
doorkeepers, Nethinim or servants of this house of God.
Ezra 7:24 (WEB) Back
24 Also we inform you that it shall not be lawful to impose tribute, custom, or toll, on any of the priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, temple servants, or laborers of this house of God.
[1] civil magistrate: civil official or government body, whether elected or appointed
[2] power of
the sword: a biblical expression which indicates that the civil magistrate has
authority from God to use force to deter and punish evildoers, even to capital
punishment
[3] commonwealth: a body politic, usually a republic or one that has a representative system of constitutional government. Recall that the WCF was written in a constitutional monarchy with a parliament.
[4] keys: Church discipline, including excommunication and readmission. In a manner similar to sacraments, this is not an absolute power, but a declaration of what has already been decreed in heaven to the best of human knowledge. The reference is to Matthew 18:18 (ESV KJ3 NASB WEB) : “Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” (NASB most accurately reflects the Greek in this verse.)
[5] Editorial opinion: The civil magistrate has no authority whatsoever in doctrinal, theological, or ecclesiastical affairs. See Appendix A.
‡ or, Kiss the son
* or, pastors
* teraphim were household idols.
† Zech. 3:2