1After all this was finished, all the Israelites who were present went out to the cities of Judah. They smashed the sacred pillars, chopped down the Asherah poles, and broke down the high places and altars throughout all Judah and Benjamin, and also in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had completely destroyed them. Then all the Israelites returned, each person to their own property in their own cities.
2Hezekiah organized the priests and Levites into their divisions, with each person assigned to their specific service, both priests and Levites. This was for burnt offerings and peace offerings, to minister, give thanks, and offer praise at the gates of Yahweh's camp.
3He also set aside a portion of the king's own possessions for the burnt offerings: the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the Sabbaths, New Moons, and appointed festivals, as it is written in Yahweh's Law.
4Furthermore, he commanded the people living in Jerusalem to give the assigned portion to the priests and Levites so that they could fully devote themselves to Yahweh's Law.
5As soon as the command went out, the Israelites generously brought an abundance of the first fruits of grain, new wine, oil, honey, and everything the field produced. They also brought a large amount of the tithe of everything.
6The people of Israel and Judah who lived in the towns of Judah also brought a tenth of their cattle, sheep, and other dedicated items that were set apart for Yahweh their God. They piled these up in large heaps.
7They began building these piles in the third month and finished them in the seventh month.
8When King Hezekiah and his officials came and saw the heaps, they praised Yahweh and his people, Israel.
9Then Hezekiah asked the priests and Levites about the heaps.
10Azariah, the chief priest from Zadok’s family, answered him, “Ever since people started bringing offerings to Yahweh’s house, we have had enough to eat and plenty left over. Yahweh has blessed his people, and this great leftover amount is what remains.”
11Then Hezekiah ordered them to prepare rooms in Yahweh’s house, and they did so.
12They faithfully brought in the offerings, tithes, and dedicated things. Conaniah the Levite was in charge of them, and his brother Shimei was second in command.
13Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath, and Benaiah served as supervisors under Conaniah and his brother Shimei. King Hezekiah and Azariah, the ruler of God’s house, appointed them.
14Kore, the son of Imnah the Levite, who was the gatekeeper at the east gate, was in charge of God’s freewill offerings. His role was to distribute Yahweh’s offerings and the most holy things.
15Under Kore were Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, who served in the priests’ towns. In their trusted roles, they distributed portions to their relatives, both great and small,
16which included all males three years old and older who were registered by family and who entered Yahweh’s house daily for their required service, according to their duties and groups.
17It also included the priests registered by their fathers’ families, and Levites twenty years old and older, according to their duties and groups.
18And it included everyone listed by family: their little ones, wives, sons, and daughters from the entire community. In their trusted roles, they kept themselves holy.
19For the priests, Aaron’s descendants, who lived in areas surrounding their cities, specific men were appointed by name in each city. They were to give portions to all the males among the priests and to all the Levites who were registered by family.
20Hezekiah did all of this throughout Judah. He did what was good, right, and faithful before Yahweh his God.
21In every task he undertook for the service of God’s house, in obedience to the law and commands, seeking his God, he did it with all his heart, and he succeeded.