¹⁵ All Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and had sought him with their whole desire, and he was found by them, and the Lord gave them rest all around.^(A)

⁷ He said to Judah, “Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars; the land is still ours because we have sought the Lord our God; we have sought him, and he has given us rest on every side.” So they built and prospered.

¹² They entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their ancestors, with all their heart and with all their soul,^(A)

⁴ but when in their distress they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him, he was found by them.^(A)

The Postponement of Paul’s Visit

¹² Indeed, this is our boast, the testimony of our conscience: we have behaved in the world with holiness^[a] and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God—and all the more toward you.^(A)

³⁶ And Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced because of what God had done for the people, for the thing had come about suddenly.

²³ I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better,^(A)