Now Hezekiahsentto allIsraeland Judahand wrotelettersalsoto Ephraimand Manasseh,that they should cometo the houseof the LORDat Jerusalemto celebratethe Passoverto the LORDGodof Israel.
Surelysucha Passoverhad not been celebratedfrom the daysof the judgeswhojudgedIsrael,norin allthe daysof the kingsof Israeland of the kingsof Judah.
Moreover, the priestsand the Leviteswhowere in allIsraelstoodwith him from alltheir districts.
Those from allthe tribesof Israelwho settheir heartson seekingthe LORDGodof Israelfollowedthem to Jerusalem,to sacrificeto the LORDGodof their fathers.
But a manof Godcameto him saying,"O king,do not let the armyof Israelgowith you, for the LORDis not with Israel[nor with] anyof the sonsof Ephraim.
The priestsslaughteredthem and purgedthe altarwith their bloodto atonefor allIsrael,for the kingorderedthe burntofferingand the sinofferingfor allIsrael.
Then Hezekiahand allthe peoplerejoicedoverwhat Godhad preparedfor the people,becausethe thingcameabout suddenly.
For the kingand his princesand allthe assemblyin Jerusalemhad decidedto celebratethe Passoverin the secondmonth,
"Now slaughterthe Passover[animals], sanctifyyourselves and preparefor your brethrento doaccording to the wordof the LORDby Moses."
Now theseare the wordsof the letterwhichJeremiahthe prophetsentfrom Jerusalemto the restof the eldersof the exile,the priests,the prophetsand allthe peoplewhomNebuchadnezzarhad takeninto exilefrom Jerusalemto Babylon.
Howcan I giveyou up, O Ephraim?How can I surrenderyou, O Israel?Howcan I makeyou like Admah?How can I treatyou like Zeboiim?My heartis turnedoverwithinMe, AllMy compassionsare kindled.
Their deedswill not allowthem To returnto their God.For a spiritof harlotryis withinthem, And they do not knowthe LORD.
For the sonsof Josephwere twotribes,Manassehand Ephraim,and they did not givea portionto the Levitesin the land,exceptcitiesto livein, with their pasturelandsfor their livestockand for their property.
