2 Chronicles 30
English Standard Version
Passover Celebrated
30 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 to the Lord, the God of Israel. 2 For the king and his princes and all the assembly in Jerusalem had taken counsel to keep the Passover (A)in the second month— 3 for they could not keep it (B)at that time (C)because the priests had not consecrated themselves in sufficient number, nor had the people assembled in Jerusalem— 4 and the plan seemed right to the king and all the assembly. 5 So they decreed to make a proclamation throughout all Israel, (D)from Beersheba to Dan, that the people should come and keep the Passover to the Lord, the God of Israel, at Jerusalem, for they had not kept it as often as prescribed. 6 (E)So couriers went throughout all Israel and Judah with letters from the king and his princes, as the king had commanded, saying, “O people of Israel, (F)return to the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that he may turn again to the remnant of you who have escaped from the hand of (G)the kings of Assyria. 7 (H)Do not be like your fathers and your brothers, who were faithless to the Lord God of their fathers, so that he made them a desolation, as you see. 8 (I)Do not now be stiff-necked as your fathers were, but yield yourselves to the Lord and come to his sanctuary, which he has consecrated forever, and serve the Lord your God, (J)that his fierce anger may turn away from you. 9 For (K)if you return to the Lord, your brothers and your children (L)will find compassion with their captors and return to this land. For (M)the Lord your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn away his face from you, (N)if you return to him.”
10 (O)So the couriers went from city to city through the country of (P)Ephraim and Manasseh, and as far as Zebulun, but (Q)they laughed them to scorn and mocked them. 11 However, (R)some men of Asher, of Manasseh, and of Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem. 12 The hand of God was also on Judah to give them one heart to do what the king and the princes commanded (S)by the word of the Lord.
13 And many people came together in Jerusalem to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread (T)in the second month, a very great assembly. 14 They set to work and removed (U)the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all the altars for burning incense they took away (V)and threw into the brook Kidron. 15 (W)And they slaughtered the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the second month. (X)And the priests and the Levites were ashamed, (Y)so that they consecrated themselves and brought burnt offerings into the house of the Lord. 16 (Z)They took their accustomed posts according to the Law of Moses (AA)the man of God. The priests threw the blood that they received from the hand of the Levites. 17 For there were many in the assembly who had not consecrated themselves. Therefore the Levites had to slaughter the Passover lamb for everyone who was not clean, to consecrate it to the Lord. 18 For a majority of the people, (AB)many of them from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover otherwise (AC)than as prescribed. For Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, “May the good Lord pardon everyone 19 (AD)who sets his heart to seek God, the Lord, the God of his fathers, even though not according to the sanctuary's rules of cleanness.”[a] 20 And the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people. 21 And the people of Israel who were present at Jerusalem kept (AE)the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with great gladness, and the Levites and the priests praised the Lord day by day, singing with all their might[b] to the Lord. 22 And Hezekiah spoke (AF)encouragingly to all the Levites who showed good skill in the service of the Lord. So they ate the food of the festival for seven days, sacrificing (AG)peace offerings and giving thanks to the Lord, the God of their fathers.
23 Then the whole assembly agreed together to keep the feast (AH)for another seven days. So they kept it for another seven days with gladness. 24 For Hezekiah king of Judah (AI)gave the assembly 1,000 bulls and 7,000 sheep for offerings, and the princes gave the assembly 1,000 bulls and 10,000 sheep. And the priests (AJ)consecrated themselves in great numbers. 25 The whole assembly of Judah, and the priests and the Levites, (AK)and the whole assembly that came out of Israel, and the sojourners who came out of the land of Israel, and the sojourners who lived in Judah, rejoiced. 26 So there was great joy in Jerusalem, for (AL)since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem. 27 Then (AM)the priests and the Levites arose and (AN)blessed the people, and their voice was heard, and their prayer came to (AO)his holy habitation in heaven.
Footnotes
- 2 Chronicles 30:19 Hebrew not according to the cleanness of holiness
- 2 Chronicles 30:21 Compare 1 Chronicles 13:8; Hebrew with instruments of might
2 Chronicles 30
New Life Version
Hezekiah Keeps the Passover
30 Hezekiah sent word to all Israel and Judah. He wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh also, that they should come to the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, to keep the Passover to the Lord God of Israel. 2 For the king and his rulers and all the people in Jerusalem had decided to keep the Passover in the second month. 3 For they could not keep it at the set time, because there had not been enough religious leaders who had made themselves holy. And the people had not been gathered to Jerusalem. 4 So the new time pleased the king and all the people. 5 And they made it known in all Israel, from Beer-sheba to Dan, that they should come to keep the Passover to the Lord God of Israel at Jerusalem. For great numbers of people had not kept it, as they were told to do. 6 Men were sent through all Israel and Judah with the letters from the hand of the king and his rulers, as the king had told them. The letters said, “O sons of Israel, return to the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, that He may return to those of you who have not been taken away by the kings of Assyria. 7 Do not be like your fathers and your brothers. They were not faithful to the Lord God of their fathers, so He gave them a reason to fear, as you see. 8 Now do not make your hearts hard like your fathers, but give yourselves to the Lord. Come to His holy place which He has set apart forever. And worship the Lord your God, that His burning anger may turn away from you. 9 For if you return to the Lord, your brothers and your sons will be shown pity by those who took them away, and will return to this land. For the Lord your God is kind and loving. He will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him.”
10 So the men took the letters from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, and as far as Zebulun. But the people laughed at them and made fun of them. 11 Only a few men of Asher, Manasseh and Zebulun put away their pride and came to Jerusalem. 12 The hand of God was also on Judah to give them one heart to do what the king and the rulers told them by the Word of the Lord.
The People Keep the Passover
13 Many people gathered together at Jerusalem to keep the Special Supper of Bread Without Yeast in the second month. There were very many people. 14 They took away the altars which were in Jerusalem. And they also took away all the special perfume altars and threw them into the river of Kidron. 15 Then they killed the Passover lambs on the fourteenth day of the second month. The religious leaders and Levites were ashamed and made themselves holy, and brought burnt gifts to the house of the Lord. 16 They stood in their places as they should, as given by the Law of Moses the man of God. The religious leaders placed the blood which they received from the hand of the Levites. 17 For there were many of the people who had not made themselves holy. So the Levites had to kill the Passover lambs for every one who was unclean, to make them holy to the Lord. 18 For many of the people, many of them from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun, had not made themselves clean. Yet they ate the Passover in a different way than had been written. For Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “May the good Lord forgive everyone 19 who makes his heart ready to look for God, the Lord God of his fathers, even if he does not follow the rules of the holy place for making himself clean.” 20 And the Lord heard Hezekiah, and healed the people. 21 The people of Israel who were there in Jerusalem kept the Special Supper of Bread Without Yeast for seven days with great joy. The Levites and the religious leaders praised the Lord day after day, singing with loud music to the Lord. 22 Then Hezekiah spoke comforting words to all the Levites who had good understanding in the Lord’s work. So the people ate the food of the Special Supper for seven days, giving peace gifts and thanks to the Lord God of their fathers.
23 Then all the people decided to keep the Special Supper for another seven days. So they kept it for another seven days with joy. 24 For King Hezekiah of Judah had given the people 1,000 bulls and 7,000 sheep. And the rulers had given the people 1,000 bulls and 10,000 sheep. And a large number of religious leaders made themselves holy. 25 All the people of Judah were filled with joy, with the religious leaders and the Levites, and all the people who came from Israel. Both the people who came from the land of Israel and those living in Judah were filled with joy. 26 So there was great joy in Jerusalem, because there was nothing like this in Jerusalem since the days of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel. 27 Then the religious leaders and Levites stood and prayed that good would come to the people. And their voice was heard. Their prayer came to the Lord’s holy place in heaven.
2 Chroniques 30
Segond 21
Célébration de la Pâque
30 Ezéchias envoya des messagers dans tout Israël et Juda, et il écrivit aussi des lettres à Ephraïm et à Manassé pour qu'ils viennent à la maison de l'Eternel à Jérusalem célébrer la Pâque en l'honneur de l'Eternel, le Dieu d'Israël. 2 Le roi, ses chefs et toute l'assemblée avaient tenu conseil à Jérusalem afin que la Pâque soit célébrée au cours du deuxième mois. 3 En effet, on n’avait pas pu le faire au moment voulu parce que les prêtres ne s'étaient pas consacrés en assez grand nombre et que le peuple n'était pas rassemblé à Jérusalem. 4 Cette proposition eut l'approbation du roi et de toute l'assemblée, 5 et ils décidèrent de faire une proclamation dans tout Israël, depuis Beer-Shéba jusqu'à Dan, pour que l'on vienne à Jérusalem célébrer la Pâque en l'honneur de l'Eternel, le Dieu d'Israël. En effet, depuis longtemps on ne la célébrait plus comme cela est prescrit.
6 Les coureurs parcoururent tout Israël et Juda avec les lettres du roi et de ses chefs et, conformément à l'ordre du roi, ils dirent: «Israélites, revenez à l'Eternel, le Dieu d'Abraham, d'Isaac et d'Israël, afin qu'il revienne à vous, rescapés de l’intervention des rois d'Assyrie. 7 Ne soyez pas comme vos pères et vos frères! Ils ont fait preuve d’infidélité envers l'Eternel, le Dieu de leurs ancêtres, et il les a livrés à la dévastation, comme vous le voyez. 8 Ne vous montrez donc pas réfractaires comme l’étaient vos pères! Engagez-vous envers l'Eternel, venez à son sanctuaire, qu'il a consacré pour toujours, et servez l'Eternel, votre Dieu, pour que son ardente colère se détourne de vous. 9 Si vous revenez à l'Eternel, vos frères et vos fils seront l’objet de la compassion de ceux qui les ont déportés et ils reviendront dans ce pays. En effet, l’Eternel, votre Dieu, fait grâce et est rempli de compassion, et il ne se détournera pas de vous si vous revenez à lui.» 10 Les coureurs allèrent ainsi de ville en ville dans le pays d'Ephraïm et de Manassé et jusqu'à Zabulon, mais on riait et se moquait d'eux. 11 Cependant, quelques hommes issus d'Aser, de Manassé et de Zabulon s'humilièrent et vinrent à Jérusalem. 12 Dans Juda aussi, Dieu intervint pour qu’ils soient unanimes à respecter l'ordre du roi et des chefs, suivant la parole de l'Eternel.
13 Une population nombreuse se réunit à Jérusalem pour célébrer la fête des pains sans levain au cours du deuxième mois. Ce fut une immense assemblée. 14 Ils se levèrent, enlevèrent les autels sur lesquels on offrait des sacrifices dans Jérusalem ainsi que tous ceux sur lesquels on brûlait des parfums et les jetèrent dans le torrent du Cédron. 15 Ils firent ensuite les sacrifices de la Pâque le quatorzième jour du deuxième mois. Remplis de honte, les prêtres et les Lévites s'étaient consacrés, et ils offrirent des holocaustes dans la maison de l'Eternel. 16 Ils se tenaient au poste qui leur avait été attribué, conformément à la loi de Moïse, l’homme de Dieu. Les prêtres faisaient l’aspersion du sang qu'ils recevaient des Lévites. 17 Comme il y avait dans l'assemblée beaucoup de personnes qui ne s'étaient pas consacrées, les Lévites se chargèrent de sacrifier l’agneau pascal pour tous ceux qui n'étaient pas purs afin de les consacrer à l'Eternel. 18 En effet, une grande partie des membres du peuple, et en particulier ceux d'Ephraïm, de Manassé, d'Issacar et de Zabulon, ne s'étaient pas purifiés et ils mangèrent le repas de la Pâque sans se conformer à ce qui est écrit. Mais Ezéchias pria pour eux en disant: «Veuille l'Eternel, qui est bon, pardonner à 19 tous ceux qui ont appliqué leur cœur à rechercher Dieu, l'Eternel, le Dieu de leurs ancêtres, même s’ils n'ont pas pratiqué la sainte purification!» 20 L'Eternel exauça Ezéchias et il épargna le peuple. 21 Ainsi, les Israélites qui se trouvaient à Jérusalem célébrèrent la fête des pains sans levain pendant 7 jours, avec une grande joie. Chaque jour les Lévites et les prêtres louaient l'Eternel avec les instruments qui retentissaient en son honneur. 22 Ezéchias toucha, par ses paroles, le cœur de tous les Lévites qui montraient une grande perspicacité pour le service de l'Eternel. Ils mangèrent de ce repas de fête pendant 7 jours en offrant des sacrifices de communion et en louant l'Eternel, le Dieu de leurs ancêtres.
23 Toute l'assemblée décida de célébrer 7 autres jours, et ils célébrèrent ces 7 jours dans la joie. 24 En effet, Ezéchias, le roi de Juda, avait donné à l'assemblée 1000 taureaux et 7000 brebis, et les chefs 1000 taureaux et 10'000 brebis. De plus, un grand nombre de prêtres s'étaient consacrés. 25 Toute l'assemblée de Juda, les prêtres, les Lévites, tous les membres du peuple venus d'Israël et les étrangers, qu’ils soient venus du territoire d'Israël ou installés en Juda, se réjouirent. 26 Il y eut une grande joie à Jérusalem, car depuis le règne de Salomon, fils de David, sur Israël, on n’avait rien vu de pareil à Jérusalem. 27 Les prêtres lévites se levèrent pour bénir le peuple et leur voix fut entendue, leur prière parvint jusqu'à la sainte demeure de l'Eternel, jusqu'au ciel.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
Copyright © 1969, 2003 by Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Version Segond 21 Copyright © 2007 Société Biblique de Genève by Société Biblique de Genève