2 Kings 18:22Easy To Read VersionMaybe you will say, “We trust the Lord our God.” But I know that Hezekiah took away the high places [227] and altars [228] where people worshiped the Lord. And Hezekiah told the people of Judah and Jerusalem, “You must worship only in front of the altar here in Jerusalem.” See the chapter |
The Passover {\cf2\super [377]} celebration was finished. The people of Israel that were in Jerusalem for Passover went out to the towns of Judah. Then they smashed the stone idols that were in those towns. Those stone idols were used to worship false gods. Those people also cut down the Asherah Poles. {\cf2\super [378]} And they destroyed the high places {\cf2\super [379]} and the altars {\cf2\super [380]} all through the areas of Judah and Benjamin. The people did the same things in the area of Ephraim and Manasseh. The people did these things until they destroyed all the things used for worshiping the false gods. Then all the Israelites went back home to their own towns.
But maybe you will say, “We are trusting in the Lord our God to help us.” But I know that Hezekiah destroyed the altars {\cf2\super [337]} and high places {\cf2\super [338]} where people worshiped the Lord. And Hezekiah told the people of Judah and Jerusalem, “You must worship only at this one altar here in Jerusalem.”
Now, when you hear the sound of the horns, flutes, lyres, {\cf2\super [32]} sambucas, {\cf2\super [33]} harps, bagpipes, {\cf2\super [34]} and all the other musical instruments, you must bow down and worship the gold idol. If you are ready to worship the idol I have made, that will be good. But if you don’t worship it, you will be thrown very quickly into the hot furnace. Then no god will be able to save you from my power!”
Then the Lord will choose a place to be his special house. The Lord will put his name there. And you must bring all the things I command you to that place. Bring your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, one tenth of your crops and animals, [75] your special gifts, any gifts you promised to the Lord, and the first animals born in your herd and flock.