2 Chronicles 30

And 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 unto the LORD God of Israel.

Hezekiah passionately reached out to all of Israel and Judah, even penning heartfelt letters to Ephraim and Manasseh. His plea was simple - come to Jerusalem, to God's house, and honor the Passover in reverence to the Lord God of Israel.

For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month.

The king and his advisors, along with everyone in Jerusalem, had thoughtfully decided to celebrate the Passover in the second month.

For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem.

At that time, they couldn't observe the holy ritual because the priests hadn't fully prepared themselves spiritually, and the people hadn't yet assembled in Jerusalem.

And the thing pleased the king and all the congregation.

The king and the entire assembly were filled with joy and satisfaction.

So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done it of a long time in such sort as it was written.

They made a rule, announced across all Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, inviting everyone to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem, honoring the LORD God of Israel. It had been a long time since they had observed it as prescribed.

So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.

The king's messengers spread his letters far and wide across Israel and Judah. His command was clear: "People of Israel, return to the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. He will come back to those of you who have managed to escape the Assyrian kings."

And be not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren, which trespassed against the LORD God of their fathers, who therefore gave them up to desolation, as ye see.

Don't repeat the mistakes of your ancestors and relatives who were unfaithful to the Lord, the God of their ancestors, so that He gave them up to ruin, as you've witnessed.

Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.

Don't be stubborn like your ancestors. Instead, surrender to God, step into His sacred space that He's made holy forever, and serve Him. By doing this, you may avoid His intense anger.

For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.

If you choose to return to God, your family and friends will be shown mercy by those who hold them captive, allowing them to return home. Because God is kind and forgiving, He will always welcome you back if you seek Him.

So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them.

Messengers journeyed from town to town across Ephraim, Manasseh, and Zebulun. But their words were met with scornful laughter and mockery.

Nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem.

Despite their pride, some from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbly journeyed to Jerusalem.

Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the LORD.

In Judah, God's touch united their hearts, inspiring them to follow the king and leaders' commands, as directed by God's word.

And there assembled at Jerusalem much people to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great congregation.

A large crowd gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the second month, creating an atmosphere of joyous unity.

And they arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all the altars for incense took they away, and cast them into the brook Kidron.

They stood up, removed all the altars in Jerusalem, including those for incense, and threw them into the Kidron stream, filled with a sense of determination and resolve.

Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the second month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought in the burnt offerings into the house of the LORD.

On the fourteenth day of the second month, they solemnly sacrificed the Passover lamb. The priests and Levites, filled with shame, purified themselves and brought their burnt offerings to the Lord's house.

And they stood in their place after their manner, according to the law of Moses the man of God: the priests sprinkled the blood, which they received of the hand of the Levites.

In their designated spots, following Moses' divine law, the priests performed their sacred duty. They solemnly sprinkled the blood, handed to them by the Levites, with reverence and solemnity.

For there were many in the congregation that were not sanctified: therefore the Levites had the charge of the killing of the passovers for every one that was not clean, to sanctify them unto the LORD.

Many in the gathering were not yet purified, so the Levites were responsible for preparing the Passover sacrifices for those unclean, to help them become holy in the eyes of the Lord.

For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one

Many people, including those from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, didn't purify themselves yet partook in the Passover in a way not prescribed. But Hezekiah, with a heart full of compassion, prayed for them, asking the gracious Lord to forgive them all.

That prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.

He who readies his heart to search for God, the Lord God of his ancestors, even if he isn't purified by the sanctuary's standards.

And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people.

The Lord, deeply moved by Hezekiah's plea, showered His mercy and healed the suffering people.

And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the LORD.

The Israelites in Jerusalem joyfully celebrated the seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread. Each day, the Levites and priests expressed their deep gratitude to the Lord through heartfelt songs and the resonating sounds of their instruments.

And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the LORD: and they did eat throughout the feast seven days, offering peace offerings, and making confession to the LORD God of their fathers.

Hezekiah spoke with warmth and kindness to all the Levites who shared God's wisdom. For seven days they ate at the feast, offering peace offerings and giving thanks to the Lord, the God of their ancestors.

And the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days: and they kept other seven days with gladness.

The entire group decided to extend their gathering for another week, and they joyfully spent those seven days together.

For Hezekiah king of Judah did give to the congregation a thousand bullocks and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the congregation a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep: and a great number of priests sanctified themselves.

King Hezekiah of Judah generously gifted his people with a thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep. The leaders, too, showed their generosity by giving a thousand bulls and ten thousand sheep. Many priests, deeply moved, dedicated themselves to their holy duties.

And all the congregation of Judah, with the priests and the Levites, and all the congregation that came out of Israel, and the strangers that came out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Judah, rejoiced.

Everyone in Judah, together with the priests and Levites, all who had come from Israel, and the foreigners who had come from Israel or made Judah their home, celebrated with great joy.

So there was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem.

Jerusalem was filled with immense happiness, unmatched since the days of King Solomon, David's son.

Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven.

The holy priests stood up, blessing everyone with heartfelt prayers. Their voices echoed, reaching all the way to God's sacred home in heaven.