1 Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he ruled thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother was Jedidah {Yedidah: beloved}, the daughter of Adaiah {Adayah: Yahweh has adorned}.
2 He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD {YHWH, Moral Judge}, and he walked in the whole way of David his father; he did not turn aside to the right {yamin: figuratively to deviate} or to the left.
3 And it happened in the eighteenth year {shanah: regnal period} of King Josiah, the king sent Shaphan son of Azaliah son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of the LORD {YHWH, Temple Sovereign} to say.
4 Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, and let him tally the silver that has been brought into the house of the LORD {YHWH, Temple Restorer}, which the doorkeepers {shomrei: threshold guardians} have gathered from the people.
5 And they shall give it into the hand of the overseers in the house of the LORD {YHWH, Temple Owner} and they shall give it to the workers who do the work in the house of the LORD, to repair the breach {bedek: structural gap} of the house.
6 To the craftsmen, and to the builders, and to the masons {goderim: stone specialists}, and to purchase timber and quarried stones to strengthen the house {bayit: sanctuary structure}.
7 However, no reckoning is made for the money entrusted {hanittan: designated for safekeeping} into their hands, because they act with faithfulness {emunah: steadfast reliability}.
8 And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found a scroll {sefer: archival text} of the law in the house of the LORD {YHWH, Temple Proprietor}.” And Hilkiah gave the scroll to Shaphan, and he read it.
9 And Shaphan the scribe came to the king and reported to him, “Your servants have poured out the silver {kesef: temple treasury} that was found in the house, and they have handed it over to the doers of the work, the overseers of the house of the LORD {YHWH, Sanctuary Sovereign}.”
10 And Shaphan the scribe {hasopher: official recorder} told the king, saying, “A book {sefer: written scroll} was given to me by Hilkiah the priest.” And Shaphan read it before the king.
11 And it happened, when the king heard the words of the book {sefer: authoritative record} of the law, that he tore his clothes {beged: outer garment}.
12 And the king {melek: national ruler} commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Akbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying {le’emor: issue orders}.
13 Go, inquire of the LORD {YHWH, Covenant Judge} 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 the LORD which is kindled against us because our fathers did not listen {shamu: heed with obedience} to the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.
14 So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Akbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah {huldah: female prophet}, the prophetess and wife of Shallum son of Tikvah son of Harhas, keeper of the garments. She lived {yoshevet: settled residence} in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter; and they spoke to her.
15 And she said to them, “Thus says the LORD God of Israel {YHWH Elohei Yisrael, Covenant Overseer}: ‘Say to the man who sent you to Me {elai: direct address}.’”
16 Thus says the LORD {YHWH, Divine Judge}: “See, I will bring disaster {raʿah: calamity, judgment} on this place {makom: location, city} and on its inhabitants, in accordance with all the words of the book that the king of Judah has read.”
17 Because they have forsaken {azavuni: abandoned loyalty} Me {YHWH, Covenant Sovereign} and burned incense to other gods to provoke Me by every deed of their hands, My wrath has ignited against this place and will never be extinguished.
18 And to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD {YHWH, Covenant Instructor}, thus shall you say to him: “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel {Elohei Yisrael, National Guide}, concerning the words which you heard.”
19 Because your heart was softened and you humbled yourself before the LORD {YHWH, Responsive to Repentance} when you heard My words about this place and its inhabitants—that they were destined for desolation {shammah: deserted ruin} and curse—and you tore your garments and wept before Me, I have heard you also, declares the LORD.
20 Therefore, behold, I {YHWH, Executor of Judgment} am gathering you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your graves in peace {shalom: wholeness and rest}. Your eyes will not see all the evil that I am bringing upon this place. And they conveyed the report to the king.