1And Hezekiah sent word to all Israel and Judah; and he also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh, inviting them to come to the Temple of the LORD at Jerusalem, to keep the Passover unto the LORD God of Israel. 2For Hezekiah, along with his officials and all the assembly in Jerusalem, had decided to keep the Passover in the second month, as opposed to the prescribed time of the 14^th day of the first month, 3Because they had not been able to keep it at the prescribed time, as an insufficient number of priests had observed the legal ceremonies of self-purification in time to hold the Passover in the first month, Nisan; nor had enough people gathered at Jerusalem by that time. 4And the decision seemed right to both the king and all the assembly. 5So they circulated a proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, to come and celebrate the Passover unto the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem; which had not been celebrated in large numbers as prescribed for a long time.

6So the couriers went throughout all Israel and Judah with the letters from the king and his leaders, as the king commanded, which said, “You sons of Israel, return to the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, so that He will return to those of you, who have escaped from the kings of Assyria. 7Do not be like your fathers and brothers, who were not faithful to the LORD God of their fathers, Who then gave them over to desolation, just as you see. 8Do not be stiff-necked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves to the LORD, and enter His sanctuary, which He has sanctified forever; and serve the LORD, your God, so that the fierceness of His wrath may turn away from you. 9For if you return to the LORD, your fellow Israelites shall find compassion with those who led them captive, so that they may return to this land; for the LORD, your God, is gracious and merciful, and will not turn His face away from you, if you return to Him.” 10So the couriers passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, as far as Zebulun; but some people laughed them to mocking scorn. 11Yet some of Asher, Manasseh and Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem. 12Also the hand of God was in Judah to give them one heart to do what the king and leaders had commanded by the word of the LORD.

13And so a very great congregation assembled at Jerusalem to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month. 14And they removed the pagan altars that were in Jerusalem, along with the altars for incense, and threw them into the brook, Kidron. 15Then, on the fourteenth day of the second month, they killed the Passover; and this shamed the priests and the Levites; and they sanctified themselves, and brought the burnt offerings into the Temple of the LORD. 16And they stood in their accustomed places; and, according to the law of Moses, the man of God, the priests sprinkled the blood, which they received from the Levites. 17For there were many in the assembly who were not sanctified; therefore, the Levites had to kill the Passover lambs for everyone who was not clean, to sanctify them unto the LORD. 18For many of the people who came from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, and yet they ate the Passover, contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, 19“May the good LORD pardon everyone who prepares his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.” 20And the LORD listened to Hezekiah, and healed the people.

21And the Israelites who were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great rejoicing; and the Levites and priests praised the LORD, day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the LORD. 22And Hezekiah spoke encouraging words to all the Levites who showed good understanding of their service to the LORD; and they ate their assigned portions throughout the feast, seven days, offering peace offerings, and making confession to the LORD God of their fathers. 23And the whole assembly agreed to celebrate the festival seven more days; and they kept it another seven days with gladness. 24For King Hezekiah of Judah gave to the congregation a thousand bullocks and seven thousand sheep; and the officials gave a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep to the congregation; and meanwhile, a great number of priests sanctified themselves. 25And all the congregation of Judah rejoiced, with the priests and Levites, all those who came out of Israel, including the sojourners of Israel, and who dwelt in Judah. 26So there was great joy in Jerusalem; for since the time of Solomon, there was not the like in Jerusalem. 27Then the priests and 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.