Now in the fifthyearof Jehoiakimthe sonof Josiah,kingof Judah,in the ninthmonth,allthe peoplein Jerusalemand allthe peoplewho camefrom the citiesof Judahto Jerusalemproclaimeda fastbeforethe LORD.
Jehoshaphatwas afraidand turnedhis attentionto seekthe LORD,and proclaimeda fastthroughoutallJudah.
Now on the twenty-fourthdayof thismonththe sonsof Israelassembledwith fasting,in sackclothand with dirtupon them.
"Go,assembleallthe Jewswho are foundin Susa,and fastfor me; do not eator drinkfor threedays,nightor day.I and my maidensalsowill fastin the sameway.And thusI will goin to the king,whichis not according to the law;and ifI perish,I perish."
In the fourthyearof Jehoiakimthe sonof Josiah,kingof Judah,thiswordcameto Jeremiahfrom the LORD,saying,
Now the kingwas sittingin the winterhousein the ninthmonth,with [a fire] burningin the brazierbeforehim.
"So you goand readfrom the scrollwhichyou have writtenat my dictationthe wordsof the LORDto the peoplein the LORD'Shouseon a fastday.And alsoyou shall readthem to all[the people of] Judahwho comefrom their cities.
Girdyourselves[with sackcloth] And lament,O priests;Wail,O ministersof the altar!Come,spendthe nightin sackclothO ministersof my God,For the grain offeringand the drinkofferingAre withheldfrom the houseof your God.
Consecratea fast,Proclaima solemnassembly;Gatherthe elders[And] allthe inhabitantsof the landTo the houseof the LORDyour God,And cryout to the LORD.
"On exactlythe tenthday of thisseventhmonthis the dayof atonement;it shall be a holyconvocationfor you, and you shall humbleyour soulsand presentan offeringby fireto the LORD.
Then the peopleof Ninevehbelievedin God;and they calleda fastand puton sackclothfrom the greatestto the leastof them.
"Thussaysthe LORDof hosts,'The fastof the fourth,the fastof the fifth,the fastof the seventhand the fastof the tenth[months] will becomejoy,gladness,and cheerfulfeastsfor the houseof Judah;so lovetruthand peace.'
Then allthe sonsof Israeland allthe peoplewentup and cameto Betheland wept;thus they remainedtherebeforethe LORDand fastedthat dayuntilevening.And they offeredburntofferingsand peaceofferingsbeforethe LORD.
They gatheredto Mizpah,and drewwaterand pouredit out beforethe LORD,and fastedon that dayand saidthere,"We have sinnedagainst the LORD."And Samueljudgedthe sonsof Israelat Mizpah.
