Josiahremovedallthe abominationsfrom allthe landsbelonging to the sonsof Israel,and made allwho were presentin Israelto servethe LORDtheir God.Throughouthis lifetimethey did not turnfrom followingthe LORDGodof their fathers.
Moreover, he made allwho were presentin Jerusalemand Benjaminto stand[with him]. So the inhabitantsof Jerusalemdidaccording to the covenantof God,the Godof their fathers.
For I have keptthe waysof the LORD,And have not wickedlydepartedfrom my God.
"Yetin spite of allthisher treacheroussisterJudahdid not returnto Me with allher heart,but ratherin deception,"declaresthe LORD.
"Ifyou will return,O Israel,"declaresthe LORD,"[Then] you should returnto Me. And ifyou will putawayyour detestedthingsfrom My presence,And will not waver,
Whatshall I dowith you, O Ephraim?Whatshall I dowith you, O Judah?For your loyaltyis like a morningcloudAnd like the dewwhich goesaway early.
Israelservedthe LORDallthe daysof Joshuaand allthe daysof the elderswhosurvivedJoshua,and had knownallthe deedsof the LORDwhichHe had donefor Israel.
