2at the age of 25, and he ruled in Jerusalem for 29 years. His mother was Jehoaddin, from Jerusalem. 3He did what was pleasing to the Lord, but he was not like his ancestor King David; instead, he did what his father Joash had done. 4He did not tear down the pagan places of worship, and the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.

5 As soon as Amaziah was firmly in power, he executed the officials who had killed his father, the king. 6*However, he did not kill their children but followed what the Lord had commanded in the Law of Moses: “Parents are not to be put to death for crimes committed by their children, and children are not to be put to death for crimes committed by their parents; a person is to be put to death only for a crime he himself has committed.”