Shishak Attacks Jerusalem^(A)

12 After Rehoboam’s position as king was established^(B) and he had become strong,^(C) he and all Israel^[a](D) with him abandoned^(E) the law of the Lord. ² Because they had been unfaithful^(F) to the Lord, Shishak^(G) king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem in the fifth year of King Rehoboam. ³ With twelve hundred chariots and sixty thousand horsemen and the innumerable troops of Libyans,^(H) Sukkites and Cushites^[b](I) that came with him from Egypt, ⁴ he captured the fortified cities^(J) of Judah and came as far as Jerusalem.

⁵ Then the prophet Shemaiah^(K) came to Rehoboam and to the leaders of Judah who had assembled in Jerusalem for fear of Shishak, and he said to them, “This is what the Lord says, ‘You have abandoned me; therefore, I now abandon^(L) you to Shishak.’”

¹⁶ Don’t be deceived,^(A) my dear brothers and sisters.^{(B) 17} Every good and perfect gift is from above,^(C) coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,^(D) who does not change^(E) like shifting shadows. ¹⁸ He chose to give us birth^(F) through the word of truth,^(G) that we might be a kind of firstfruits^(H) of all he created.

Listening and Doing

¹⁹ My dear brothers and sisters,^(I) take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak^(J) and slow to become angry, ²⁰ because human anger^(K) does not produce the righteousness that God desires. ²¹ Therefore, get rid of^(L) all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you,^(M) which can save you.