The King James Version Bible

1 Esdras 1:14-30

  1. For the priests offered the fat until night: and the Levites prepared for themselves, and the priests their brethren, the sons of Aaron.

  2. The holy singers also, the sons of Asaph, were in their order, according to the appointment of David, to wit, Asaph, Zacharias, and Jeduthun, who was of the king's retinue.

  3. Moreover the porters were at every gate; it was not lawful for any to go from his ordinary service: for their brethren the Levites prepared for them.

  4. Thus were the things that belonged to the sacrifices of the Lord accomplished in that day, that they might hold the passover,

  5. And offer sacrifices upon the altar of the Lord, according to the commandment of king Josias.

  6. So the children of Israel which were present held the passover at that time, and the feast of sweet bread seven days.

  7. And such a passover was not kept in Israel since the time of the prophet Samuel.

  8. Yea, all the kings of Israel held not such a passover as Josias, and the priests, and the Levites, and the Jews, held with all Israel that were found dwelling at Jerusalem.

  9. In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josias was this passover kept.

  10. And the works or Josias were upright before his Lord with an heart full of godliness.

  11. As for the things that came to pass in his time, they were written in former times, concerning those that sinned, and did wickedly against the Lord above all people and kingdoms, and how they grieved him exceedingly, so that the words of the Lord rose up against Israel.

  12. Now after all these acts of Josias it came to pass, that Pharaoh the king of Egypt came to raise war at Carchamis upon Euphrates: and Josias went out against him.

  13. But the king of Egypt sent to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, O king of Judea?

  14. I am not sent out from the Lord God against thee; for my war is upon Euphrates: and now the Lord is with me, yea, the Lord is with me hasting me forward: depart from me, and be not against the Lord.

  15. Howbeit Josias did not turn back his chariot from him, but undertook to fight with him, not regarding the words of the prophet Jeremy spoken by the mouth of the Lord:

  16. But joined battle with him in the plain of Magiddo, and the princes came against king Josias.

  17. Then said the king unto his servants, Carry me away out of the battle; for I am very weak. And immediately his servants took him away out of the battle.