9
For if you turn back to ADONAI, your kinsmen and children will find that those who took them captive will have compassion on them, and they will come back to this land. ADONAI your God is compassionate and merciful; he will not turn his face away from you if you return to him."
10
So the runners passed from city to city through the territory of Efrayim and M'nasheh, as far as Z'vulun; but the people laughed at them and made fun of them.
11
Nevertheless, some from Asher, M'nasheh and Z'vulun were humble enough to come to Yerushalayim.
12
Also in Y'hudah the hand of God was at work, uniting their hearts to do what the king and the leaders had ordered in accordance with the word of ADONAI.
13
Thus, many people assembled in Yerushalayim to keep the festival of Matzot in the second month, a huge crowd.