9 Look, our fathers died violently and our sons, daughters, and wives were carried off because of this.
10 Now I intend to make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel, so that he may relent from his raging anger.
11 My sons, do not be negligent now, for the Lord has chosen you to serve in his presence and offer sacrifices.”
12 The following Levites prepared to carry out the king’s orders:From the Kohathites: Mahath son of Amasai and Joel son of Azariah;from the Merarites: Kish son of Abdi and Azariah son of Jehallelel;from the Gershonites: Joah son of Zimmah and Eden son of Joah;
13 from the descendants of Elizaphan: Shimri and Jeiel;from the descendants of Asaph: Zechariah and Mattaniah;
14 from the descendants of Heman: Jehiel and Shimei;from the descendants of Jeduthun: Shemaiah and Uzziel.
15 They assembled their brothers and consecrated themselves. Then they went in to purify the Lord’s temple, just as the king had ordered, in accordance with the word of the Lord.