Moreover, the priestsand the Leviteswhowere in allIsraelstoodwith him from alltheir districts.
But as for the sonsof Israelwho livedin the citiesof Judah,Rehoboamreignedoverthem.
Baashakingof Israelwentup againstJudahand fortifiedRamahin order to prevent[anyone] from goingout or comingin to Asakingof Judah.
Now a mancamefrom Baal-shalishah,and broughtthe manof Godbreadof the firstfruits,twentyloavesof barleyand freshearsof grainin his sack.And he said,"Give[them] to the peoplethat they may eat."
[He put] shieldsand spearsin everycityand strengthenedthem greatly.So he heldJudahand Benjamin.
For the Leviteslefttheir pasturelandsand their propertyand cameto Judahand Jerusalem,for Jeroboamand his sonshad excludedthem from servingas prieststo the LORD.
In the thirty-sixthyearof Asa'sreignBaashakingof Israelcameup againstJudahand fortifiedRamahin order to prevent[anyone] from goingout or comingin to Asakingof Judah.
They wentthroughoutJudahand gatheredthe Levitesfrom allthe citiesof Judah,and the headsof the fathers'[households] of Israel,and they cameto Jerusalem.
Now Hezekiahsentto allIsraeland Judahand wrotelettersalsoto Ephraimand Manasseh,that they should cometo the houseof the LORDat Jerusalemto celebratethe Passoverto the LORDGodof Israel.
"For ifyou say,'The oracleof the LORD!'surelythussaysthe LORD,'Becauseyou saidthisword,"The oracleof the LORD!"I have also sentto you, saying,"You shall not say,'The oracleof the LORD!'"'
"Be carefulthat you do not forsakethe Leviteas longas you livein your land.
If,however,the landof your possessionis unclean,then crossinto the landof the possessionof the LORD,wherethe LORD'Stabernaclestands,and takepossessionamongus. Only do not rebelagainst the LORD,or rebelagainstus by buildingan altarfor yourselves, besidesthe altarof the LORDour God.
