25 They have rejected me and have offered sacrifices to other gods, and so have stirred up my anger by all they have done. My anger is aroused against Jerusalem, and it will not die down.
26 As for the king himself, this is what I, the Lord God of Israel, say: You listened to what is written in the book,
27 and you repented and humbled yourself before me, tearing your clothes and weeping, when you heard how I threatened to punish Jerusalem and its people. I have heard your prayer,
28 and the punishment which I am going to bring on Jerusalem will not come until after your death. I will let you die in peace.”The men returned to King Josiah with this message.
29 King Josiah summoned all the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem,
30 and together they went to the Temple, accompanied by the priests and the Levites and all the rest of the people, rich and poor alike. Before them all, the king read aloud the whole book of the covenant, which had been found in the Temple.
31 He stood by the royal column and made a covenant with the Lord to obey him, to keep his laws and commands with all his heart and soul, and to put into practice the demands attached to the covenant, as written in the book.