³King Josiah sent his secretary Shaphan to the Lord’s temple. It was in the 18th year of Josiah’s rule. Shaphan was the son of Azaliah. Azaliah was the son of Meshullam. Josiah said, ⁴“Go up to the high priest Hilkiah. Have him add up the money that has been brought into the Lord’s temple. Those who guard the doors have collected it from the people.

⁵“Have them put all of the money in the care of the men who have been put in charge of the work on the Lord’s temple. Have them pay the workers who repair it. ⁶Have them pay the builders and those who work with wood. Have them pay those who lay the stones. Also have them buy lumber and blocks of stone to repair the temple.

⁷“But they don’t have to report how they use the money that is given to them. That’s because they are completely honest.”

⁸The high priest Hilkiah spoke to the secretary Shaphan. He said, “I’ve found the Scroll of the Law in the Lord’s temple.” He gave it to Shaphan, who read it.

⁹Then Shaphan went to King Josiah. He told him, “Your officials have paid out the money that was in the Lord’s temple. They’ve put it in the care of the workers and directors there.”

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