1 When all this was over, all the Israelites who were there set off for the towns of Judah to smash the pillar, cut down the sacred trunks and wreck the High places and the altars. So they did throughout Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh and did away with them. Then all the Israelites returned to their towns, each man to his home.
2 Hezekiah reestablished the priestly and levitical orders, each man in his proper order according to his duties, whether priest or Levite, whether for burnt offering, peace offering, liturgical service, thanksgiving or praise, within the gates of the camp of Yahweh.
3 The king set aside a portion of his own possessions for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings of sabbath, New Moon, and solemn feast, as laid down in the Law of Yahweh.
4 He then told the people of Jerusalem to give the priests and the Levites their share so that they might devote themselves to the Law of Yahweh.
5 As soon as the order had been published, the Israelites gathered in the first fruits of corn, wine, oil, honey, and all agricultural produce, and brought in a generous gift of everything.
6 The Israelites and Judaeans living in the towns of Judah also brought in the tithe of cattle and sheep, and the tithe of the holy things dedicated to Yahweh their God, piling them up, heap after heap.
7 They began making these heaps in the third month and finished them in the seventh.
8 When Hezekiah and his officials saw how much had been given, they praised Yahweh and praised his people Israel.
9 Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites about the heaps,
10 and Azariah, the chief priest, of the family of Zadok, answered him, "Since the contributions were first brought to Yahweh's House, we have had enough to eat and still have plenty left over, for Yahweh has blessed his people; this huge pile is what is left."
11 Hezekiah then ordered them to have storerooms prepared in Yahweh's House. They did this,
12 and then brought in the contributions, tithes and consecrated things, to keep them in a safe place. Conaniah the Levite was officer-in-charge of them, with Shimei his brother as his assistant.
13 Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahat, and Benaiah were appointed supervisors under the command of Conaiah and his brother Shimei, by order of King Hezekiah and of Azariah the High Priest.
14 Kore, son of Imnah the Levite, keeper of the eastern gate, was made responsible for the voluntary offerings to God; he provided the portion set aside for Yahweh and the most holy offerings.
15 Under his command he had Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah and Shecaniah, who resided permanently in the towns of the priests to distribute these gifts to their kinsmen great or small according to their orders.
16 In addition to this, there was the organization by related groups of all those men thirty years old or older who went to Yahweh's House, by daily rotation, to perform the ritual duties appropriate to their orders.
17 There was also the organization of priests by families; as also that of Levites twenty years old or older, by duties and orders.
18 There was also the organization of all their families for the whole assembly, since they were busy with the holy ministry.
19 As regards the priests, the sons of Aaron, who lived in the pasture lands belonging to their towns, or in the towns themselves, appointed men, distributed the food to every male among the priests and also to the inscribed Levites who were enrolled.
20 Hezekiah enforced these arrangements throughout Judah. He did what is good and right and loyal before Yahweh his God.
21 He was successful, because everything he did for the Temple or in observance of the Law, he did as one seeking God with all his heart.
Versículos relacionados com 2 Chronicles, 31:
2 Chronicles 31 reports how Hezekiah organized the administration of temple and kingdom resources, establishing a system of offerings and tithes to support priests and Levites, as well as other religious activities. The chapter also highlights the prosperity of the kingdom of Judah under the reign of Hezekiah. Following are five verses related to the topics addressed in 2 chronicles 31:
Proverbs 3:9-10: "Honor to the Lord with your goods, and with the firstfruits of all your income. And your barns will be filled with abundance, and they will overflow with your Lagas." This verse highlights the importance of honoring God with our financial resources and how this can result in material blessings.
Malachi 3:10: "Bring all tithes to the treasure house, that there may be maintenance in my house, and then prove me, says the Lord of hosts, if I do not open the windows of heaven, and do not pour out You are such a blessing, which warns you of the greatest wealth. " This verse emphasizes the importance of bringing tithes to God's house and the promise of blessings resulting from this practice.
Acts 20:35: "In everything I have shown that, working thus, it is necessary to assist the sick, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, who said," More blessed thing is to give than to receive. " This verse highlights the importance of helping the needy with our resources and how this is a way of serving God.
Luke 21:1-4: "And looking at him, he saw the rich lay his offers in the treasure ark; he also saw a poor widow lay there two small coins; Poor widow; for all of those laid for God's offerings from what he left; but this one of his poverty laid all the livelihood he had. " This verse highlights the importance of personal sacrifice in our offerings to God, regardless of the size of the contribution.
Matthew 6:33: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." This verse highlights the importance of putting God's things first in our lives and trusting that He will supply all our needs.
Chapters: