2 Kings 22

1Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah, from Bozkath.

2He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh and walked in all the way of David his father, and he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.

3In the eighteenth year of King Josiah, the king sent Shaphan son of Azaliah, son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of Yahweh, saying,

4Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, and let him total the silver that has been brought into the house of Yahweh, which the keepers of the threshold have collected from the people.

5and let him put it into the hands of the workmen who are appointed in the house of Yahweh, and let them give it to the workmen who are in the house of Yahweh to repair the damage to the house.

6for the craftsmen, and for the builders, and for the masons, and for buying timber and quarried stone to strengthen the house.

7But the silver that is put into their hands is not to be counted with them, for they are acting faithfully.

8Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of Yahweh.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.

9Then Shaphan the scribe came to the king and brought back word to the king, and said, “Your servants have poured out the silver that was found in the house and have put it into the hand of the workmen who are appointed over the house of Yahweh.”

10Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king.

11And when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes.

12Then the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Achbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying,

13Go, inquire of Yahweh for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of Yahweh that has been kindled against us, because our fathers have not listened to the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.

14Then Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter, and they spoke to her.

15And she said to them, “Thus says Yahweh, the God of Israel: Say to the man who sent you to me,”

16Thus says Yahweh: Behold, I am bringing disaster on this place and on its inhabitants, all the words of the book that the king of Judah has read.

17because they have forsaken me and have made offerings to other gods, in order to provoke me to anger by all the work of their hands. Therefore my wrath has been kindled against this place, and it shall not be quenched.

18But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of Yahweh, thus you shall say to him: Thus says Yahweh, the God of Israel: As for the words that you have heard—

19Because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before Yahweh when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they would become a desolation and a curse, and because you tore your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares Yahweh.

20Therefore, behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your graves in peace, and your eyes shall not see all the disaster that I am bringing on this place.” And they brought back word to the king.