"Let our leadersrepresentthe wholeassemblyand let allthose in our citieswho have marriedforeignwivescomeat appointedtimes,togetherwith the eldersand judgesof eachcity,untilthe fierceangerof our Godon accountof thismatteris turnedawayfrom us."
However,the LORDdid not turnfrom the fiercenessof His greatwrathwith whichHis angerburnedagainst Judah,becauseof allthe provocationswith whichManassehhad provokedHim.
"Nowtherefore, listento me and returnthe captiveswhomyou capturedfrom your brothers,for the burningangerof the LORDis againstyou."
"Nowit is in my heartto makea covenantwith the LORDGodof Israel,that His burningangermay turnawayfrom us.
"Nowdo not stiffenyour necklike your fathers,but yieldto the LORDand enterHis sanctuarywhichHe has consecratedforever,and servethe LORDyour God,that His burningangermay turnawayfrom you.
"But there are manypeople;it is the rainyseasonand we are not ableto standin the open.Nor[can] the task[be done] in oneor twodays,for we have transgressedgreatlyin thismatter.
OnlyJonathanthe sonof Asaheland Jahzeiahthe sonof Tikvahopposedthis,with Meshullamand Shabbethaithe Levitesupportingthem.
But He, being compassionate,forgave[their] iniquityand did not destroy[them]; And oftenHe restrainedHis angerAnd did not arouseallHis wrath.
Then you will sayon that day,"I will givethanksto You, O LORD;For although You were angrywith me, Your angeris turnedaway,And You comfortme.
The LORDsaidto Moses,"Takeallthe leadersof the peopleand executethem in broaddaylightbefore the LORD,so that the fierceangerof the LORDmay turnawayfrom Israel."
"Nothingfrom that whichis put underthe banshall clingto your hand,in orderthat the LORDmay turnfrom His burningangerand showmercyto you, and havecompassionon you and make you increase,justas He has swornto your fathers,
"So you shall cometo the Leviticalpriestor the judgewhois [in office] in thosedays,and you shall inquire[of them] and they will declareto you the verdictin the case.
They raisedoverhim a greatheapof stonesthat stands to thisday,and the LORDturnedfrom the fiercenessof His anger.Thereforethe nameof that placehas been calledthe valleyof Achorto thisday.
