AllJudahrejoicedconcerningthe oath,for they had swornwith their wholeheartand had soughtHim earnestly,and He let them findHim. So the LORDgavethem reston everyside.
The kingstoodby the pillarand madea covenantbeforethe LORD,to walkafterthe LORD,and to keepHis commandmentsand His testimoniesand His statuteswith all[his] heartand all[his] soul,to carryout the wordsof thiscovenantthat were writtenin thisbook.And allthe peopleenteredinto the covenant.
Gloryin His holyname;Let the heartof those who seekthe LORDbe glad.
Those from allthe tribesof Israelwho settheir heartson seekingthe LORDGodof Israelfollowedthem to Jerusalem,to sacrificeto the LORDGodof their fathers.
He builtfortifiedcitiesin Judah,sincethe landwas undisturbed,and therewas nooneat warwith him during thoseyears,becausethe LORDhad givenhim rest.
For he saidto Judah,"Let us buildthesecitiesand surround[them] with wallsand towers,gatesand bars.The landis stilloursbecausewe have soughtthe LORDour God;we have soughtHim, and He has givenus reston everyside."So they builtand prospered.
They enteredinto the covenantto seekthe LORDGodof their fatherswith alltheir heartand soul;
Moreover, they madean oathto the LORDwith a loudvoice,with shouting,with trumpetsand with horns.
and he wentout to meetAsaand saidto him, "Listento me, Asa,and allJudahand Benjamin:the LORDis with you when you are with Him. And ifyou seekHim, He will let you findHim; but ifyou forsakeHim, He will forsakeyou.
"But in their distressthey turnedto the LORDGodof Israel,and they soughtHim, and He let them findHim.
"Nationwas crushedby nation,and cityby city,for Godtroubledthem with everykind of distress.
"But thereis [some] goodin you, for you have removedthe Asherothfrom the landand you have setyour heartto seekGod."
So the kingdomof Jehoshaphatwas at peace,for his Godgavehim reston allsides.
"Nowit is in my heartto makea covenantwith the LORDGodof Israel,that His burningangermay turnawayfrom us.
Then Hezekiahand allthe peoplerejoicedoverwhat Godhad preparedfor the people,becausethe thingcameabout suddenly.
Then the kingstoodin his placeand madea covenantbeforethe LORDto walkafterthe LORD,and to keepHis commandmentsand His testimoniesand His statuteswith allhis heartand with allhis soul,to performthe wordsof the covenantwrittenin thisbook.
Then Nehemiah,whowas the governor,and Ezrathe priest[and] scribe,and the Leviteswho taughtthe peoplesaidto allthe people,"Thisdayis holyto the LORDyour God;do not mournor weep."For allthe peoplewere weepingwhen they heardthe wordsof the law.
When He keepsquiet,whothen can condemn?And when He hidesHis face,whothen can beholdHim, That is, in regardto bothnationand man?--
With allmy heartI have soughtYou; Do not let me wanderfrom Your commandments.
I have swornand I will confirmit, That I will keepYour righteousordinances.
I have inheritedYour testimoniesforever,For they are the joyof my heart.
Be gladin the LORDand rejoice,you righteousones;And shoutfor joy,allyou who are uprightin heart.
Then Mosescameand recountedto the peopleallthe wordsof the LORDand allthe ordinances;and allthe peopleansweredwith onevoiceand said,"Allthe wordswhichthe LORDhas spokenwe will do!"
Her waysare pleasantwaysAnd allher pathsare peace.
Indeed,[while following] the wayof Your judgments,O LORD,We have waitedfor You eagerly;Your name,even Your memory,is the desireof [our] souls.
"I have not spokenin secret,In somedarkland;I did not sayto the offspringof Jacob,SeekMe in a wasteplace;I, the LORD,speakrighteousness,Declaringthingsthat are upright.
For our proud confidenceis this:the testimonyof our conscience,that in holinessand godlysincerity,not in fleshlywisdombut in the graceof God,we have conductedourselves in the world,and especiallytowardyou.
and you and the Leviteand the alienwhois amongyou shall rejoicein allthe goodwhichthe LORDyour Godhas givenyou and your household.
But I am hard-pressedfrom both[directions], havingthe desireto departand be with Christ,for [that] is very muchbetter;
Now it cameabout aftermanydays,whenthe LORDhad givenrestto Israelfrom alltheir enemieson everyside,and Joshuawas old,advancedin years,
So Joshuamadea covenantwith the peoplethat day,and madefor them a statuteand an ordinancein Shechem.
