4 Moreover he commanded the people who dwelt in Jerusalem to contribute fsupport 5for the priests and the Levites, that they might devote themselves to gthe Law of the Lord.

5 As soon as the commandment was circulated, the children of Israel brought in abundance hthe firstfruits of grain and wine, oil and honey, and of all the produce of the field; and they brought in abundantly the itithe of everything. 6 And the children of Israel and Judah, who dwelt in the cities of Judah, brought the tithe of oxen and sheep; also the jtithe of holy things which were consecrated to the Lord their God they laid in heaps.

7 In the third month they began laying them in heaps, and they finished in the seventh month. 8 And when Hezekiah and the leaders came and saw the heaps, they blessed the Lord and His people Israel. 9 Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps. 10 And Azariah the chief priest, from the khouse of Zadok, answered him and said, l“Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the Lord, we have had enough to eat and have plenty left, for the Lord has blessed His people; and what is left is this great mabundance.”