ns and kingdoms, to tear up and break down, to destroy
and to overthrow, to build and to plant."

Again this message came from Jehovah, "What do you see?" I answered, "A
great kettle brewing hot, and it faces from the north." Then Jehovah
said to me: "From the north trouble is brewing for all the people of the
land. For I am about to call all the kingdoms of the north, and they
shall come and each set up his throne at the entrance to the gates of
Jerusalem and around its walls and against all the cities of Judah. And
I will pass judgment upon Jerusalem and these cities for all their
wickedness, for they have been disloyal to me and offered sacrifices to
other gods and have worshipped that which their own hands have made.

"Therefore make ready, rise, speak to them all that I command you. Do
not be afraid of them, for see, I myself will make you this day like a
fortified city, and like a bronze wall against the rulers of Judah, its
leaders, its priests, and the common people. Though they fight against
you, they will not overcome you, for I am with you to protect you."

THE YOUNG JOSIAH AND THE BOOK OF THE LAW

Josiah was eight years old when he began to rule, and he ruled
thirty-one years in Jerusalem. In the eighteenth year of his rule he
sent Shaphan, the scribe, to the temple of Jehovah with the command, "Go
up to Hilkiah, the chief priest, and see that, when he has taken the
money that is brought into the temple of Jehovah and that which the
doorkeepers have gathered from the people, they give it to the workmen
who have charge of the temple of Jehovah. Then let them give it to the
carpenters, the builders, and the masons who are in the temple of
Jehovah, to repair the breaks in it and to buy timber and cut stone to
restore it." But no account was asked of them for the money that was
given to them, for they dealt honestly.

Then Hilkiah, the chief priest, said to Shaphan, the scribe, "I have
found the book of the law in the temple of Jehovah." And Hilkiah gave
the book to Shaphan, and he read it. Then Shaphan went to Josiah and
told him, "Your servants have taken the money that was found in the
temple and have turned it over to the workmen who have charge of the
temple of Jehovah." Shaphan, the scribe, also said to Josiah, "Hilkiah,
the priest, has given me a book." And Shaphan read it to him.

When Josiah had heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his
clothes. Then he gave this command to Hilkiah, the