¹³ The priests and Levites from all their districts throughout Israel sided with him. ¹⁴ The Levites^(A) even abandoned their pasturelands and property^(B) and came to Judah and Jerusalem, because Jeroboam and his sons had rejected them as priests of the Lord ¹⁵ when he appointed^(C) his own priests^(D) for the high places and for the goat^(E) and calf^(F) idols he had made. ¹⁶ Those from every tribe of Israel^(G) who set their hearts on seeking the Lord, the God of Israel, followed the Levites to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices to the Lord, the God of their ancestors. ¹⁷ They strengthened^(H) the kingdom of Judah and supported Rehoboam son of Solomon three years, following the ways of David and Solomon during this time.

⁹ But didn’t you drive out the priests^(A) of the Lord,^(B) the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and make priests of your own as the peoples of other lands do? Whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull^(C) and seven rams^(D) may become a priest of what are not gods.^(E)

¹⁰ “As for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken him. The priests who serve the Lord are sons of Aaron, and the Levites assist them. ¹¹ Every morning and evening^(F) they present burnt offerings and fragrant incense^(G) to the Lord. They set out the bread on the ceremonially clean table^(H) and light the lamps^(I) on the gold lampstand every evening. We are observing the requirements of the Lord our God. But you have forsaken him.