The Lord struck down the Cushites before Asa and Judah. The Cushites fled,

After all this happened, the Lord afflicted him with an incurable intestinal disease.

Joash was determined to repair the Lord’s temple.

He wrote letters mocking the Lord God of Israel and insulting him with these words: “The gods of the surrounding nations could not rescue their people from my power. Neither can Hezekiah’s god rescue his people from my power.”

The Annals of the Prophets include his prayer, give an account of how the Lord responded to it, record all his sins and unfaithful acts, and identify the sites where he built high places and erected Asherah poles and idols before he humbled himself.

He ordered the altars of the Baals to be torn down, and broke the incense altars that were above them. He smashed the Asherah poles, idols and images, crushed them up and sprinkled the dust over the tombs of those who had sacrificed to them.

Above the Horse Gate the priests worked, each in front of his house.

I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these complaints.

In the first month (that is, the month of Nisan), in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus’ reign, pur (that is, the lot) was cast before Haman in order to determine a day and a month. It turned out to be the twelfth month (that is, the month of Adar).

a trembling gripped me – and a terror! – and made all my bones shake.

Am I the sea, or the creature of the deep, that you must put me under guard?

And that you visit them every morning, and try them every moment?

But you, however, are inventors of lies; all of you are worthless physicians!

Your sin inspires your mouth; you choose the language of the crafty.

defiantly charging against him with a thick, strong shield!

He breaks through against me, time and time again; he rushes against me like a warrior.

But even if it were true that I have erred, my error remains solely my concern!

“This is why my troubled thoughts bring me back – because of my feelings within me.

Look at me and be appalled; put your hands over your mouths.

For, when I think about this, I am terrified and my body feels a shudder.