2 Chronicles 29:1-11 ▼

1 Hezekiah (YHWH is my strength) was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem (city of peace) twenty-nine years. His mother’s name was Abijah (Abi), the daughter of Zechariah (YHWH remembers).

2 And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD {YHWH}, just as his father David (beloved) had done.

3 In the first month of the first year of his reign, Hezekiah opened and repaired the doors of the house of the LORD {YHWH}.

4 Then he brought in the priests and Levites and gathered them in the square on the east side.

5 “Listen to me, O Levites,” he said. “Consecrate yourselves now and consecrate the house of the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of your⁺ fathers. Remove from the Holy Place every impurity.

6 For our fathers were unfaithful and did evil in the sight of the LORD our God {YHWH Elohenu}. They abandoned Him, turned their faces away from the dwelling place of the LORD, and turned their backs on Him.

7 They also shut the doors of the portico and extinguished the lamps. They did not burn incense or present burnt offerings in the Holy Place of the God {Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God).

8 Therefore, the wrath of the LORD {YHWH} has fallen upon Judah (praised) and Jerusalem (city of peace), and He has made them an object of terror, horror, and scorn, as you⁺ can see with your⁺ own eyes.

9 For behold, this is why our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons and daughters and wives are in captivity.

10 Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God), so that His fierce anger will turn away from us.

11 Now, my sons, do not be negligent, for the LORD {YHWH} has chosen you⁺ to stand before Him, to serve Him, to minister before Him, and to burn incense.”