2 Kings 22
They Found the Book While Repairing the House
← 2 Kings 21 · 2 Kings: all chapters · 2 Kings 23 →
Josiah King of Judah
22:1Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedida daughter of Edeia, from Basouroth.
22:2He did what was right in the Lord’s eyes and walked in every way of his father David, turning aside neither right nor left.
The Book of the Law Found
22:3In King Josiah’s eighteenth year, in the eighth month, the king sent Sapphan son of Eselias son of Mesollam, the scribe of the Lord’s house, saying,
22:4‘Go up to Chelkias the high priest and seal the silver brought into the Lord’s house, which those guarding the doorpost collected from the people.
22:5Let them give it into the hand of the workers appointed in the Lord’s house.’ He gave it to the workers in the Lord’s house to strengthen the house’s bedek:
22:6to the carpenters, builders, and wall builders, and to acquire timber and quarried stones to strengthen the house’s bedek.
22:7But they did not demand an account from them for the silver given to them, for they act faithfully.
22:8Chelkias the high priest said to Sapphan the scribe, ‘I found a book of the law in the Lord’s house.’ Chelkias gave the book to Sapphan, and he read it.
22:9He brought it to King Josiah, reported to the king, and said, ‘Your servants have melted down the silver found in the Lord’s house and given it into the hand of the workers appointed in the Lord’s house.’
22:10Sapphan the scribe told the king, ‘Chelkias the priest gave me a book.’ Sapphan read it before the king.
Josiah Tears His Garments
22:11When the king heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his garments.
22:12The king commanded Chelkias the priest, Achikam son of Sapphan, Achobor son of Michaias, Sapphan the scribe, and Asaia the king’s servant:
22:13‘Come, seek the Lord for me, for all the people, and for all Judah concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the Lord’s anger which burns among us, because our fathers did not listen to this book’s words, to do everything written against us.’
The Word of Holda the Prophetess
22:14Chelkias the priest, Achikam, Achobor, Sapphan, and Asaias went to Olda the prophetess, wife of Sellem son of Thekoue son of Araas, keeper of the garments. She lived in Jerusalem in the masena. They spoke to her.
22:15She said to them, ‘Thus says the Lord, Israel’s God: Tell the man who sent you to me:
22:16Thus says the Lord: Look, I am bringing disasters on this place and its inhabitants, all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read,
22:17because they abandoned Me and burned incense to other gods, provoking Me with the works of their hands. My wrath shall burn against this place and shall not be quenched.
22:18But to the king of Judah who sent you to seek the Lord, say this: Thus says the Lord, Israel’s God: The words you have heard—
22:19because your heart was softened and you felt shame before the Lord when you heard what I spoke against this place and its inhabitants, that they should become an obliteration and a curse, and because you tore your garments and wept before Me, I also have heard, says the Lord.
22:20Not so! Look, I am adding you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered into your grave in peace. None of all the disasters I am bringing upon this place shall appear before your eyes.’ They reported the word to the king.
← 2 Kings 21 · 2 Kings: all chapters · 2 Kings 23 →
Saints Translation · Liturgical reading edition · V1 · working draft awaiting specialist review.