Wednesday in Easter

20Verse 20. and commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the servant of the king: 21Verse 21. “Go and inquire of the LORD for me and for those remaining in Israel and Judah concerning the words in the book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the LORD that has been poured out on us because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD by doing all that is written in this book.” 22Verse 22. So Hilkiah and those the king had designated went and spoke to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tokhath, the son of Hasrah, the keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the Second District. 23Verse 23. And Huldah said to them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Tell the man who sent you 24Verse 24. that this is what the LORD says: I am about to bring calamity on this place and on its people, according to all the curses written in the book that has been read in the presence of the king of Judah, 25Verse 25. because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands. My wrath will be poured out upon this place and will not be quenched.’ 26Verse 26. But as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, tell him that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘As for the words that you heard, 27Verse 27. because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its people, and because you have humbled yourself before Me and have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I have heard you,’ declares the LORD. 28Verse 28. ‘Now I will indeed gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see all the calamity that I will bring on this place and on its people.’” So they brought her answer back to the king. 29Verse 29. Then the king summoned all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. 30Verse 30. And he went up to the house of the LORD with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as well as the priests and the Levites— all the people great and small— and in their hearing he read all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD. 31Verse 31. So the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of the covenant that were written in this book. 32Verse 32. Then he had everyone in Jerusalem and Benjamin take a stand in agreement to it. So all the people of Jerusalem carried out the covenant of God, the God of their fathers. 33Verse 33. And Josiah removed all the abominations from all the lands belonging to the Israelites, and he required everyone in Israel to serve the LORD their God. Throughout his reign they did not turn aside from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.

25Verse 25. Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26Verse 26. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27Verse 27. Led by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. And when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him what was customary under the Law, 28Verse 28. Simeon took Him in his arms and blessed God, saying: 29Verse 29. “Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace. 30Verse 30. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, 31Verse 31. which You have prepared in the sight of all people, 32Verse 32. a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.” 33Verse 33. The Child’s father and mother were amazed at what was spoken about Him. 34Verse 34. Then Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary: “Behold, this Child is appointed to cause the rise and fall of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35Verse 35. so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed — and a sword will pierce your soul as well.” 36Verse 36. There was also a prophetess named Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, who was well along in years. She had been married for seven years, 37Verse 37. and then was a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38Verse 38. Coming forward at that moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the Child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.