预备守逾越节

30 希西迦派人通告以色列和犹大全境,又写信通知以法莲人和玛拿西人,叫他们到耶路撒冷耶和华的殿,向以色列的上帝耶和华守逾越节。 王、众官员及耶路撒冷的全体会众决定在二月守逾越节。 他们不能在一月守节期,因为洁净自己的祭司不够多,民众也没有聚集在耶路撒冷。 王与全体会众都很赞成这个计划。 于是,他们下令通告全以色列,从别示巴直到但,让人们到耶路撒冷向以色列的上帝耶和华守逾越节,因为人们不常照律例守这节期。

信差遵照王的命令带着王和众官员的信走遍以色列和犹大,宣告说:“以色列人啊,你们应当归向亚伯拉罕、以撒和以色列的上帝耶和华,好使祂转向你们这些从亚述王手中逃脱的余民。 不要效法你们的祖先和亲族,他们对他们祖先的上帝耶和华不忠,以致耶和华使他们的下场很可怕,正如你们所见的。 现在,不要像你们的祖先那样顽固不化;要顺服耶和华,进入祂永远圣洁的圣所,事奉你们的上帝耶和华,好使祂的烈怒转离你们。 你们若归向祂,你们的弟兄和儿女必蒙掳走他们之人的怜悯,得以回归此地,因为你们的上帝耶和华有恩典,好怜悯。你们若归向祂,祂必不会转脸不顾你们。”

10 信差将这通告逐城传遍以法莲和玛拿西,直到西布伦,可是那些地方的人却嘲笑、戏弄他们。 11 然而,有些亚设人、玛拿西人和西布伦人谦卑悔改,来到耶路撒冷。 12 耶和华上帝感动犹大人,使他们一心遵从王与众官员奉祂的指示所下的命令。

守逾越节

13 二月,大群的人聚到耶路撒冷守除酵节。 14 他们除去耶路撒冷的祭坛和所有香坛,把它们丢进汲沦溪。 15 二月十四日,他们宰了逾越节的羊羔。祭司和利未人觉得惭愧,就洁净自己,把燔祭带到耶和华的殿里, 16 然后照上帝的仆人摩西的律法照常供职。祭司从利未人手中接过血,洒在坛上。 17 因为会众中间有许多人没有洁净自己,利未人就为所有不洁之人宰逾越节的羊羔献给耶和华。 18-19 有许多以法莲人、玛拿西人、以萨迦人和西布伦人没有洁净自己就吃了逾越节的羊羔,违背了律法的规定。希西迦就为他们祷告说:“凡诚心寻求他祖先的上帝耶和华的人,虽然没有照圣所的律例洁净自己,愿良善的耶和华赦免他!” 20 耶和华垂听希西迦的祷告,就赦免[a]了他们。

21 在耶路撒冷的以色列人非常喜乐地守除酵节七天。利未人和祭司用响亮的乐器天天颂赞耶和华。 22 希西迦慰劳所有善于事奉耶和华的利未人。于是,众人欢宴过节七天,又献上平安祭,称谢他们祖先的上帝耶和华。

再次守节期

23 全体会众商议要再守节期七天,于是大家又欢欢喜喜地守节期七天。 24 犹大王希西迦送给会众一千头公牛和七千只羊,众官员也送给会众一千头公牛和一万只羊,并且很多祭司都已洁净自己。 25 犹大全体会众、祭司、利未人和从以色列来的全体会众,以及寄居在以色列和犹大的人尽都欢喜。 26 全耶路撒冷都喜气洋洋,因为自以色列王大卫的儿子所罗门时代以来,耶路撒冷从未有过这样的盛会。 27 利未祭司起来为民众祝福,他们的祷告得蒙垂听,达到天上的圣所。

Footnotes

  1. 30:20 赦免”希伯来文是“医治”。

30 1, 13 The keeping of the Passover by the king’s commandment. 6 He exhorteth Israel to turn to the Lord. 18 He prayeth for the people. 24 His oblation and the princes’. 27 The Levites bless the people.

And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and also wrote letters to [a]Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, to keep the Passover unto the Lord God of Israel.

And the king and his princes and all the Congregation had taken counsel in Jerusalem to keep the Passover in the [b]second month.

For they could not keep it at this time, because there were not Priests enough sanctified, neither was the people gathered to Jerusalem.

And the thing pleased the king, and all the Congregation.

And they decreed to make proclamation throughout all Israel from [c]Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the Passover unto the Lord God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done it of a great time, [d]as it was written.

¶ So the posts went with letters by the commission of the King, and his princes, throughout all Israel and Judah, and with the commandment of the King, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and [e]he will return to the remnant that are escaped of you, out of the hands of the kings of Assyria.

And be not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren, which trespassed against the Lord God of their fathers: and therefore he made them desolate, as ye see.

Be not ye now stiff-necked like your fathers, but [f]give the hand to the Lord, and come into his Sanctuary, which he hath sanctified forever, and serve the Lord your God, and the fierceness of his wrath shall turn away from you.

For if ye return unto the Lord, your brethren and your children shall find mercy before them that led them captives, and they shall [g]return unto this land: for the Lord your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye convert unto him.

10 ¶ So the posts went from city to city through the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, even unto Zebulun: but they [h]laughed them to scorn and mocked them.

11 Nevertheless, divers of Asher, and Manasseh, and of Zebulun, submitted themselves, and came to Jerusalem.

12 And the hand of God was in Judah, so that he gave them one [i]heart to do the commandment of the king, and of the rulers, according to the word of the Lord.

13 And there assembled to Jerusalem much people, to keep the feast of the unleavened bread in the second month, a very great assembly.

14 ¶ And they arose, and took away the [j]altars that were in Jerusalem, and all those for incense took they away, and cast them into the brook Kidron.

15 Afterward they slew the Passover the fourteenth day of the second month: and the Priests and Levites were [k]ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought the burnt offerings into the house of the Lord.

16 And they stood in their place after their manner, according to the Law of Moses the man of God: and the Priests sprinkled the [l]blood returned of the hands of the Levites.

17 Because there were many in the Congregation that were not sanctified, therefore the Levites had the charge of the killing of the Passover for all that were not clean, to sanctify it to the Lord.

18 For a multitude of the people, even a multitude of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun had not cleansed themselves, yet did eat the Passover, but not as it was written: wherefore Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The [m]good Lord be merciful toward him,

19 That prepareth his whole heart to seek the Lord God, the God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed, according to the purification of the Sanctuary.

20 And the Lord heard Hezekiah, and [n]healed the people.

21 And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem, kept the feast of the unleavened bread seven days with great joy, and the Levites, and the priests praised the Lord day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the Lord.

22 And Hezekiah [o]spake comfortably unto all the Levites that had good knowledge to sing unto the Lord: and they did eat in that feast seven days, and offered peace offerings, and praised the Lord God of their fathers.

23 And the whole assembly took counsel to keep it another seven days. So they kept it seven days with joy.

24 For Hezekiah king of Judah had given to the Congregation a [p]thousand bullocks, and seven thousand sheep. And the princes had given to the Congregation a thousand bullocks, and ten thousand sheep: and many Priests were sanctified.

25 And all the Congregation of Judah rejoiced with the Priests and the Levites, and all the Congregation that came out of Israel, and the strangers that came out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Judah.

26 So there was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like thing in Jerusalem.

27 Then the Priests and the Levites arose, and [q]blessed the people, and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up unto heaven, to his holy habitation.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Chronicles 30:1 Meaning, all Israel, whom Tiglath-Pileser had not taken away into the captivity, 2 Kings 15:29.
  2. 2 Chronicles 30:2 Though they ought to have done it in the first month, as Exod. 12:18; Num. 9:3, yet if any were not clean, or else had a long journey, they might defer it unto the second month, as Num. 9:10, 11.
  3. 2 Chronicles 30:5 From one end of the land to the other, North and South.
  4. 2 Chronicles 30:5 In such sort and perfection as God had appointed.
  5. 2 Chronicles 30:6 He will have compassion on them, and preserve them.
  6. 2 Chronicles 30:8 Submit yourselves to the Lord, and rebel no more.
  7. 2 Chronicles 30:9 God will not only preserve you, but through your repentance restore your brethren, which for their sins he gave into the hands of the enemies.
  8. 2 Chronicles 30:10 Though the wicked mock at the servants of God, by whom he calleth them to repentance, as Gen. 19:14, yet the word ceaseth not to fructify in the hearts of God’s elect.
  9. 2 Chronicles 30:12 He showeth the cause why some obey and some mock at God’s calling, to wit, because his Spirit is with the one sort, and moveth their heart, and the others are left to themselves.
  10. 2 Chronicles 30:14 Which declareth that we must put away those things wherewith God is offended, before we can serve him aright.
  11. 2 Chronicles 30:15 Seeing their own negligence (who should have been most prompt) and the readiness of the people, 2 Chron. 29:36.
  12. 2 Chronicles 30:16 To wit, of the lamb of the Passover.
  13. 2 Chronicles 30:18 He knew that faith and sincerity of heart was more agreeable to God, than the observation of the ceremonies, and therefore he prayed unto God to pardon this fault unto the people which did not offend of malice but of ignorance.
  14. 2 Chronicles 30:20 That is, did accept them as purified.
  15. 2 Chronicles 30:22 Hebrew, spake to the heart.
  16. 2 Chronicles 30:24 This great liberality declareth how kings, princes, and all they to whom God hath given wherewith, ought to be most ready to bestow it in setting forth of God’s glory.
  17. 2 Chronicles 30:27 According to that which is written, Num. 6:23, when they should dismiss the people.

The Passover Celebration

30 King Hezekiah sent messages to all the people of Israel and Judah, and he wrote letters to the people of Ephraim and Manasseh. Hezekiah invited all these people to come to the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover for the Lord, the God of Israel. King Hezekiah, his officers, and all the people in Jerusalem agreed to celebrate the Passover in the second month. They could not celebrate it at the normal time, because not enough priests had made themselves ready to serve the Lord, and the people had not yet gathered in Jerusalem. This plan satisfied King Hezekiah and all the people. So they made an announcement everywhere in Israel, from Beersheba to Dan,[a] telling the people to come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover for the Lord, the God of Israel. For a long time most of the people had not celebrated the Passover as the law commanded. At the king’s command, the messengers took letters from him and his officers all through Israel and Judah. This is what the letters said:

People of Israel, return to the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. Then God will return to you who are still alive, who have escaped from the kings of Assyria. Don’t be like your ancestors or your relatives. They turned against the Lord, the God of their ancestors, so he caused other people to be disgusted with them. You know this is true. Don’t be stubborn as your ancestors were, but obey the Lord willingly. Come to the Temple, which he has made holy forever. Serve the Lord your God so he will not be angry with you. Come back to the Lord. Then the people who captured your relatives and children will be kind to them and will let them return to this land. The Lord your God is kind and merciful. He will not turn away from you if you return to him.

10 The messengers went to every town in Ephraim and Manasseh, and all the way to Zebulun, but the people laughed at them and made fun of them. 11 But some men from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun were sorry for what they had done and went to Jerusalem. 12 And God united all the people of Judah in obeying King Hezekiah and his officers, because their command had come from the Lord.

13 In the second month a large crowd came together in Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread. 14 The people removed the altars and incense altars to gods in Jerusalem and threw them into the Kidron Valley.

15 They killed the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the second month. The priests and the Levites were ashamed, so they made themselves holy and brought burnt offerings into the Temple of the Lord. 16 They took their regular places in the Temple as the Teachings of Moses, the man of God, commanded. The Levites gave the blood of the sacrifices to the priests, who sprinkled it on the altar. 17 Since many people in the crowd had not made themselves holy, the Levites killed the Passover lambs for everyone who was not clean. The Levites made each lamb holy for the Lord. 18-19 Although many people from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun had not purified themselves for the feast, they ate the Passover even though it was against the law. So Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “Lord, you are good. You are the Lord, the God of our ancestors. Please forgive all those who try to obey you even if they did not make themselves clean as the rules of the Temple command.” 20 The Lord listened to Hezekiah’s prayer, and he healed the people. 21 The Israelites in Jerusalem celebrated the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days with great joy to the Lord. The Levites and priests praised the Lord every day with loud music. 22 Hezekiah encouraged all the Levites who showed they understood well how to do their service for the Lord. The people ate the feast for seven days, offered fellowship offerings, and praised the Lord, the God of their ancestors.

23 Then all the people agreed to stay seven more days, so they celebrated with joy for seven more days. 24 Hezekiah king of Judah gave one thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep to the people. The officers gave one thousand bulls and ten thousand sheep to the people. Many priests made themselves holy. 25 All the people of Judah, the priests, the Levites, those who came from Israel, the foreigners from Israel, and the foreigners living in Judah were very happy. 26 There was much joy in Jerusalem, because there had not been a celebration like this since the time of Solomon son of David and king of Israel. 27 The priests and Levites stood up and blessed the people, and God heard them because their prayer reached heaven, his holy home.

Footnotes

  1. 30:5 Beersheba to Dan Dan was the city farthest north in Israel, and Beersheba was the city farthest south. So this means all the people of Israel.

30 And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the Lord God of Israel.

For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month.

For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem.

And the thing pleased the king and all the congregation.

So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto the Lord God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done it of a long time in such sort as it was written.

So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.

And be not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren, which trespassed against the Lord God of their fathers, who therefore gave them up to desolation, as ye see.

Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the Lord, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the Lord your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.

For if ye turn again unto the Lord, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the Lord your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.

10 So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them.

11 Nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem.

12 Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the Lord.

13 And there assembled at Jerusalem much people to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great congregation.

14 And they arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all the altars for incense took they away, and cast them into the brook Kidron.

15 Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the second month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought in the burnt offerings into the house of the Lord.

16 And they stood in their place after their manner, according to the law of Moses the man of God: the priests sprinkled the blood, which they received of the hand of the Levites.

17 For there were many in the congregation that were not sanctified: therefore the Levites had the charge of the killing of the passovers for every one that was not clean, to sanctify them unto the Lord.

18 For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good Lord pardon every one

19 That prepareth his heart to seek God, the Lord God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.

20 And the Lord hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people.

21 And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites and the priests praised the Lord day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the Lord.

22 And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the Lord: and they did eat throughout the feast seven days, offering peace offerings, and making confession to the Lord God of their fathers.

23 And the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days: and they kept other seven days with gladness.

24 For Hezekiah king of Judah did give to the congregation a thousand bullocks and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the congregation a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep: and a great number of priests sanctified themselves.

25 And all the congregation of Judah, with the priests and the Levites, and all the congregation that came out of Israel, and the strangers that came out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Judah, rejoiced.

26 So there was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem.

27 Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven.