5 So they 2resolved to make a proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, that they should come to keep the Passover to the Lord God of Israel at Jerusalem, since they had not done it for a long time in the prescribed manner.

6 Then the drunners went throughout all Israel and Judah with the letters from the king and his leaders, and spoke according to the command of the king: “Children of Israel, ereturn to the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel; then He will return to the remnant of you who have escaped from the hand of fthe kings of gAssyria. 7 And do not be hlike your fathers and your brethren, who trespassed against the Lord God of their fathers, so that He igave them up to jdesolation, as you see. 8 Now do not be kstiff-necked, 3as your fathers were, but yield yourselves to the Lord; and enter His sanctuary, which He has sanctified forever, and serve the Lord your God, lthat the fierceness of His wrath may turn away from you. 9 For if you return to the Lord, your brethren and your children will be treated with mcompassion by those who lead them captive, so that they may come back to this land; for the Lord your God is ngracious and merciful, and will not turn His face from you if you oreturn to Him.”