2 Chronicles 30:1-13 ▼

1 Then 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.

2 For the king and his officials and the whole assembly in Jerusalem (city of peace) had decided to keep the Passover in the second month ,

3 since 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).

4 This plan pleased the king and the whole assembly.

5 So 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.

6 At 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).

7 Do 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.

8 Now 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⁺.

9 For 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.”

10 And 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.

11 Nevertheless, some from Asher (happy), Manasseh (causing to forget), and Zebulun (exalted) humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem (city of peace).

12 Moreover, 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}.

13 In the second month, a very great assembly gathered in Jerusalem (city of peace) to celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread.