Hezekiah Proclaims a Passover

1Then Hezekiah (YHWH is my strength) sent word throughout all Israel (he wrestles with God) and Judah (praised), and he also wrote letters to Ephraim (doubly fruitful) and Manasseh (causing to forget) inviting them to come to the house of the LORD {YHWH} in Jerusalem (city of peace) to keep the Passover of the LORD, the God {Elohe} of Israel. 2For the king and his officials and the whole assembly in Jerusalem (city of peace) had decided to keep the Passover in the second month <Num 9:9–12>,a 3since they had been unable to keep it at the regular time, because not enough priests had consecrated themselves and the people had not been gathered in Jerusalem (city of peace).

4This plan pleased the king and the whole assembly. 5So they established a decree to circulate a proclamation throughout Israel (he wrestles with God), from Beersheba (well of seven) to Dan (He has judged), that the people should come to keep the Passover of the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of Israel, in Jerusalem (city of peace). For they had not observed it in great numbers as prescribed.

6At the command of the king, the couriers went throughout Israel (he wrestles with God) and Judah (praised) with letters from the king and his officials, which read:

“Children of Israel, return to the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of Abraham (father of many), Isaac (he laughs), and Israel, so that He may return to those of you⁺ who remain, who have escaped the grasp of the kings of Assyria (a step). 7Do not be like your⁺ fathers and brothers who were unfaithful to the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of their fathers, so that He made them an object of horror, as you⁺ can see.

8Now do not stiffen your⁺ necks as your⁺ fathers did. Submit to the LORD {YHWH} and come to His sanctuary, which He has consecrated forever. Serve the LORD your⁺ God {YHWH Eloheikem}, so that His fierce anger will turn away from you⁺. 9For if you⁺ return to the LORD {YHWH}, your⁺ brothers and sons will receive mercy in the presence of their captors and will return to this land. For the LORD your⁺ God {YHWH Eloheikem} is gracious and merciful; He will not turn His face away from you⁺ if you⁺ return to Him.”

10And the couriers traveled from city to city through the land of Ephraim (doubly fruitful) and Manasseh (causing to forget) as far as Zebulun (exalted), but the people scorned and mocked them. 11Nevertheless, some from Asher (happy), Manasseh (causing to forget), and Zebulun (exalted) humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem (city of peace). 12Moreover, the power of God {Elohim} was on the people in Judah (praised) to give them one heart to obey the command of the king and his officials according to the word of the LORD {YHWH}.

Hezekiah Celebrates the Passover

13In the second month, a very great assembly gathered in Jerusalem (city of peace) to celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread.b 14They proceeded to remove the altars in Jerusalem (city of peace) and to take away the incense altars and throw them into the Kidron (dark) Valley. 15And on the fourteenth day of the second month they slaughtered the Passover lamb. The priests and Levites were ashamed, and they consecrated themselves and brought burnt offerings to the house of the LORD {YHWH}.

16They stood at their prescribed posts, according to the Law of Moses (drawn out) the man of God {Elohim}. The priests splattered the blood, which they received from the hand of the Levites. 17Since there were many in the assembly who had not consecrated themselves, the Levites were in charge of slaughtering the Passover lambs for every unclean person to consecrate the lambs to the LORD {YHWH}.

18A large number of the people—many from Ephraim (doubly fruitful), Manasseh (causing to forget), Issachar (there is recompense), and Zebulun (exalted)—had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover, contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah (YHWH is my strength) interceded for them, saying, “May the LORD {YHWH}, who is good, provide atonement for everyone 19who sets his heart on seeking God—the LORD {Elohim YHWH}, the God of his fathers—even if he is not cleansed according to the purification rules of the sanctuary.”

20And the LORD {YHWH} heard Hezekiah (YHWH is my strength) and healed the people. 21The Israelites (God prevails) who were present in Jerusalem (city of peace) celebrated the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days with great joy, and the Levites and priests praised the LORD {YHWH} day after day, accompanied by loud instruments of praise to the LORD.c 22And Hezekiah (YHWH is my strength) encouraged all the Levites who performed skillfully before the LORD {YHWH}. For seven days they ate their assigned portion, sacrificing peace offerings and giving thanks to the LORD, the God {Elohe} of their fathers.

23The whole assembly agreed to observe seven more days, so they observed seven days with joy. 24For Hezekiah (YHWH is my strength) king of Judah (praised) contributed a thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep for the assembly, and the officials contributed a thousand bulls and ten thousand sheep for the assembly, and a great number of priests consecrated themselves.

25Then the whole assembly of Judah (praised) rejoiced along with the priests and Levites and the whole assembly that had come from Israel (he wrestles with God), including the foreigners who had come from Israel and those who lived in Judah. 26So there was great rejoicing in Jerusalem (city of peace), for nothing like this had happened there since the days of Solomon (peace) son of David (beloved) king of Israel (he wrestles with God).

27Then the priests and the Levites stood to bless the people, and God heard their voice, and their prayer came into His holy dwelling place in heaven.