2 Kings 22
All 20 verses in the Clear Bible Translation. Tap a verse to compare the KJV and read what it means.
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- 1Josiah was 8 years old when he became king, and he ruled in Jerusalem for 31 years. His mother was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah from Bozkath.
- 2He did what was right in the sight of the LORD and walked in all the ways of David his father, not turning aside to the right or to the left.
- 3In the 18th year of his reign, King Josiah sent Shaphan the scribe — the son of Azaliah and grandson of Meshullam — to the house of the LORD with instructions.
- 4Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may count the silver which is brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the door have gathered from the people.
- 5Then have him hand it over to the supervisors in charge of the repairs on the LORD's house, and let them pay the workers who are doing the restoration work,
- 6including the carpenters, builders, and masons. They should also use it to buy timber and cut stone for the repairs."
- 7No one required the workers to account for the money given to them, because they were completely trustworthy.
- 8Then Hilkiah the high priest told Shaphan the scribe, "I've found the book of the law in the LORD's house!" He handed the book to Shaphan, and Shaphan read it.
- 9Shaphan the scribe came to the king and gave his report: "Your servants have collected the money that was found in the house and turned it over to the workers who have oversight of the house of the LORD."
- 10Then Shaphan added, "Hilkiah the priest also gave me a book." And Shaphan read it aloud to the king.
- 11When the king heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes.
- 12The king gave orders to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Achbor son of Michaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah the king's servant:
- 13Go, inquire of the LORD for me, for the people, and for all Judah concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not listened to the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.
- 14So Hilkiah the priest, along with Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asahiah, went to see Huldah the prophetess. She was the wife of Shallum, the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, who was the keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem in the college, and they spoke with her.
- 15She said to them, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Tell the man who sent you to me,
- 16'The LORD says: I am going to bring disaster on this place and everyone living in it — everything written in the book that the king of Judah has read.
- 17Because they abandoned me and burned incense to other gods, provoking my anger with everything they've done, my wrath will blaze against this place and will not be put out.'"
- 18"But as for the king of Judah, who sent you to seek the LORD's guidance — tell him this: The LORD, the God of Israel, says regarding the words you heard:
- 19Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I spoke against this place and its people—that they would become a desolation and a curse—and because you tore your clothes and wept before me, I have heard you, says the LORD.
- 20So I will gather you to your ancestors, and you will be laid to rest in peace in your grave. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I will bring upon this place." They brought this message back to the king.