26 All the people of Judah chose Uzziah to be their king instead of his father, King Amaziah. Uzziah was 16 years old. [ a ] 2 He built Elath again after King Amaziah had died. He made it a part of Judah again.
3 Uzziah was 16 years old when he became king. And he ruled in Jerusalem for 52 years. His mother's name was Jecoliah. She came from Jerusalem. 4 Uzziah did things that the Lord said were good, as his father Amaziah had done. 5 He served God faithfully all the time that Zechariah was alive. Zechariah taught him to respect and obey God. As long as Uzziah served the Lord faithfully, God gave him success.
6 Uzziah took his army to attack the Philistines. He destroyed the walls of their cities, Gath, Jabneh and Ashdod. Then he made the towns near Ashdod strong, as well as other towns where the Philistines lived. 7 God helped him to win battles against the Philistines, against the Arabs who lived in Gur-Baal, and against the Meunites. 8 The people from Ammon paid taxes to Uzziah. He became very powerful. So everyone as far as the border of Egypt knew that he was a great king.
9 Uzziah built strong towers on Jerusalem's walls to make the city safe. He built them at the Corner Gate, at the Valley Gate and at the place where the wall turned. 10 He also built towers in the desert. He dug holes in the ground to contain water. He needed water for his animals on the low hills and in the valleys, because he had many of them. He also enjoyed growing crops. He had men who worked in the fields and in the vineyards. These were on the hills and in places where crops would grow well.
11 Uzziah had an army of soldiers who were ready to fight battles. The king's secretary, Jeiel, and his officer, Maaseiah, put the soldiers into groups. They counted the soldiers in each group. Hananiah was the army captain who had authority over them. 12 There were 2,600 family leaders who led the groups of soldiers. 13 Together they led 307,500 soldiers who knew how to fight well. They were a powerful army that could keep the king safe against his enemies. 14 Uzziah gave shields, spears, helmets and armour to the whole army. He also gave them bows and arrows, and stones to put in their slings.
15 Men in Jerusalem who had special skills built machines that could shoot arrows and big stones. Uzziah put them on the towers and at the corners of the walls around Jerusalem. God helped him in many ways, so that he became very famous and powerful.
16 Uzziah was so powerful that he became proud. That caused him to lose his power. He began to turn away from the Lord his God. He went into the Lord 's temple to burn incense on the special altar there. 17 Azariah and 80 other brave priests of the Lord went into the temple after him. 18 They warned King Uzziah. They said to him, ‘It is not right for you, Uzziah, to offer incense to the Lord . Only the priests, Aaron's descendants, may do that. They are the people that God has chosen to offer incense to him. So you must leave this Holy Place because you have done something that is wrong. As a result, the Lord God will not give you any honour.’
19 Then Uzziah became angry. In his hand, he was holding a pot with hot coals and incense in it. He was standing in the Lord 's temple, near the special altar for incense. The priests were there with him. When he started to shout at the priests, a bad disease suddenly appeared on the skin of his face. 20 Azariah, the leader of the priests, and all the other priests turned towards Uzziah. They saw the terrible disease on the skin at the front of his head. So they quickly took him out of the temple. Uzziah himself was also in a hurry to leave, because the Lord had punished him with this disease. [ b ]
21 King Uzziah had the terrible disease on his skin until the day that he died. He lived in his own house, away from other people. He could not go into the Lord 's temple because of his disease. His son Jotham had authority in the palace and he ruled the people of Judah.
22 All the other things that happened while Uzziah was king are written in a book. The prophet Isaiah, Amoz's son, wrote down those things. 23 Uzziah died and they buried him near his ancestors. Because he had the terrible disease on his skin, they did not bury him beside the other kings that had died. Instead they buried him in a field for graves that belonged to the kings of Judah.
His son Jotham became king after him.
26 Then the people of Judah chose Uzziah to be the new king in place of Amaziah. Amaziah was Uzziah’s father. Uzziah was 16 years old when he became king. 2 Uzziah rebuilt the town of Elath and gave it back to Judah. He did this after Amaziah died and was buried with his ancestors.
3 Uzziah was 16 years old when he became king. He ruled 52 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecoliah. Jecoliah was from Jerusalem. 4 Uzziah did what the Lord wanted him to do. He obeyed God the same as his father Amaziah had done. 5 Uzziah followed God in the time of Zechariah’s life. Zechariah taught Uzziah how to respect and obey God. When Uzziah was obeying the Lord , God gave him success.
6 Uzziah fought a war against the Philistines. He tore down the walls around the towns of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod. Uzziah built towns near the town of Ashdod and in other places among the Philistines. 7 God helped Uzziah fight the Philistines, the Arabs living in the town of Gur Baal, and the Meunites. 8 The Ammonites paid tribute to Uzziah. His name became famous all the way to the border of Egypt. He was famous because he was very powerful.
9 Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate, at the Valley Gate, and at the place where the wall turned. He made them strong. 10 He built towers in the desert. He also dug many wells. He had many cattle in the hill country and in the flat lands. He had farmers in the mountains and in the lands where growth was good. He also had men who took care of vineyards. He loved farming.
11 Uzziah had an army of trained soldiers. They were put in groups by Jeiel the secretary and Maaseiah the officer. Hananiah was their leader. Jeiel and Maaseiah counted the soldiers and put them into groups. Hananiah was one of the king’s officers. 12 There were 2600 leaders over the soldiers. 13 These family leaders were in charge of an army of 307,500 men who fought with great power. These soldiers helped the king against the enemy. 14 Uzziah gave the army shields, spears, helmets, armor, bows, and stones for the slings. 15 In Jerusalem, Uzziah made machines that were invented by clever men. These machines were put on the towers and corner walls. They shot arrows and large rocks. Uzziah became famous. People knew his name in far away places. He had much help and became a powerful king.
16 But when Uzziah became strong, his pride caused him to be destroyed. He was not faithful to the Lord his God. He went into the Lord ’s Temple to burn incense on the altar for burning incense. 17 Azariah the priest and 80 brave priests who served the Lord followed Uzziah into the Temple. 18 They told Uzziah he was wrong. They said to him, “Uzziah, it is not your job to burn incense to the Lord . It is not right. That is for the priests, Aaron’s descendants, to do. They are the only ones who have been prepared for the holy work of burning incense. You have not been faithful, so you must go out of the Most Holy Place. The Lord God will not honor you for this.”
19 But Uzziah was angry. He had a bowl in his hand for burning incense. While Uzziah was very angry with the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead. This happened in front of the priests in the Lord ’s Temple by the altar for burning incense. 20 Azariah the leading priest and all the priests looked at Uzziah. They could see the leprosy on his forehead. The priests quickly forced him out from the Temple. Uzziah himself hurried out because the Lord had punished him. 21 So Uzziah the king was a leper. He could not enter the Lord ’s Temple. His son Jotham controlled the king’s palace and became governor for the people.
22 Everything else Uzziah did, from beginning to end, is written by the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz. 23 Uzziah died and was buried near his ancestors in the field near the king’s burial places. This was because the people said, “Uzziah has leprosy.” And Uzziah’s son Jotham became the new king in his place.
26 Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.
2 He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.
3 Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Jecoliah of Jerusalem.
4 And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord , according to all that his father Amaziah did.
5 And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the Lord , God made him to prosper.
6 And he went forth and warred against the Philistines, and brake down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and built cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines.
7 And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gurbaal, and the Mehunims.
8 And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened himself exceedingly.
9 Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them.
10 Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry.
11 Moreover Uzziah had an host of fighting men, that went out to war by bands, according to the number of their account by the hand of Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the ruler, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king's captains.
12 The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand and six hundred.
13 And under their hand was an army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.
14 And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones.
15 And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.
16 But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the Lord his God, and went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense.
17 And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the Lord , that were valiant men:
18 And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the Lord , but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the Lord God.
19 Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the Lord , from beside the incense altar.
20 And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the Lord had smitten him.
21 And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the Lord : and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land.
22 Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, did Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, write.
23 So Uzziah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of the burial which belonged to the kings; for they said, He is a leper: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.
26 Now all the people of Judah took [ a ] Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah. 2 He built Eloth and restored it to Judah after the king [ b ] lay down with his fathers. 3 Uzziah was ( A ) sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned for fifty-two years in Jerusalem; and his mother’s name was [ c ] Jechiliah of Jerusalem. 4 He did what was right in the sight of the Lord , in accordance with everything that his father Amaziah had done. 5 ( B ) He continued to seek God in the days of Zechariah, ( C ) who had understanding [ d ] through the vision of God; and [ e ] ( D ) as long as he sought the Lord , God made him successful.
6 Now he went out and ( E ) fought against the Philistines, and broke down the wall of Gath, the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod; and he built cities in the area of Ashdod and among the Philistines. 7 ( F ) God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians who lived in Gur-baal, and the Meunites. 8 The Ammonites gave ( G ) tribute to Uzziah, and his [ f ] fame extended to the border of Egypt, for he became very strong. 9 Moreover, Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at ( H ) the Corner Gate, the ( I ) Valley Gate, and at the corner buttress, and he fortified them. 10 He also built towers in the wilderness and ( J ) carved out many cisterns, for he had much livestock, both in the [ g ] lowland and in the plain. He also had plowmen and vinedressers in the hill country and the fertile fields, for he loved the soil. 11 Moreover, Uzziah had an army ready for battle, which [ h ] entered combat by divisions according to the number of their muster, [ i ] recorded by Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the official, under the direction of Hananiah, one of the king’s officers. 12 The total number of the heads of the [ j ] households, of valiant warriors, was 2,600. 13 Under their direction was an army of ( K ) 307,500, who could wage war with great power, to help the king against the enemy. 14 Moreover, Uzziah prepared [ k ] for all the army shields, spears, helmets, body armor, bows, and slingstones. 15 In Jerusalem he made machines of war invented by skillful workmen to be on the towers and the corners, for the purpose of shooting arrows and great stones. So his [ l ] fame spread far, for he was marvelously helped until he was strong.
16 But ( L ) when he became strong, his heart was so [ m ] proud that he acted corruptly, and he was untrue to the Lord his God, for ( M ) he entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense. 17 Then ( N ) Azariah the priest entered after him, and with him eighty priests of the Lord , valiant men. 18 ( O ) They opposed Uzziah the king and said to him, “ ( P ) It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord , ( Q ) but for the priests, the sons of Aaron who have been consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have been untrue and will have no honor from the Lord God.” 19 But Uzziah, with a censer in his hand for burning incense, was enraged; and while he was enraged with the priests, ( R ) leprosy broke out on his forehead in the presence of the priests in the house of the Lord , beside the altar of incense. 20 Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and behold, he was leprous on his forehead; and they quickly removed him from there, and he himself also hurried to get out because the Lord had stricken him. 21 ( S ) King Uzziah had leprosy to the day of his death; and he lived in ( T ) a separate house, afflicted as he was with leprosy, for he was cut off from the house of the Lord . And his son Jotham was over the king’s house, judging the people of the land.
22 Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, the first to the last, the prophet ( U ) Isaiah, the son of Amoz, has written. 23 So Uzziah [ n ] lay down with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers ( V ) in the field of the grave which belonged to the kings, for they said, “He had leprosy.” And his son Jotham became king in his place.
26 Then all the people of Judah ( C ) took Uzziah, [ a ] who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah. 2 He was the one who rebuilt Elath and restored it to Judah after Amaziah rested with his ancestors.
3 Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother’s name was Jekoliah; she was from Jerusalem. 4 He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord , just as his father Amaziah had done. 5 He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear [ b ] of God. ( D ) As long as he sought the Lord , God gave him success. ( E )
6 He went to war against the Philistines ( F ) and broke down the walls of Gath, Jabneh and Ashdod. ( G ) He then rebuilt towns near Ashdod and elsewhere among the Philistines. 7 God helped him against the Philistines and against the Arabs ( H ) who lived in Gur Baal and against the Meunites. ( I ) 8 The Ammonites ( J ) brought tribute to Uzziah, and his fame spread as far as the border of Egypt, because he had become very powerful.
9 Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate, ( K ) at the Valley Gate ( L ) and at the angle of the wall, and he fortified them. 10 He also built towers in the wilderness and dug many cisterns, because he had much livestock in the foothills and in the plain. He had people working his fields and vineyards in the hills and in the fertile lands, for he loved the soil.
11 Uzziah had a well-trained army, ready to go out by divisions according to their numbers as mustered by Jeiel the secretary and Maaseiah the officer under the direction of Hananiah, one of the royal officials. 12 The total number of family leaders over the fighting men was 2,600. 13 Under their command was an army of 307,500 men trained for war, a powerful force to support the king against his enemies. 14 Uzziah provided shields, spears, helmets, coats of armor, bows and slingstones for the entire army. ( M ) 15 In Jerusalem he made devices invented for use on the towers and on the corner defenses so that soldiers could shoot arrows and hurl large stones from the walls. His fame spread far and wide, for he was greatly helped until he became powerful.
16 But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride ( N ) led to his downfall. ( O ) He was unfaithful ( P ) to the Lord his God, and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense ( Q ) on the altar of incense. 17 Azariah ( R ) the priest with eighty other courageous priests of the Lord followed him in. 18 They confronted King Uzziah and said, “It is not right for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord . That is for the priests, ( S ) the descendants ( T ) of Aaron, ( U ) who have been consecrated to burn incense. ( V ) Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful; and you will not be honored by the Lord God.”
19 Uzziah, who had a censer in his hand ready to burn incense, became angry. While he was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the Lord ’s temple, leprosy [ c ] ( W ) broke out on his forehead. 20 When Azariah the chief priest and all the other priests looked at him, they saw that he had leprosy on his forehead, so they hurried him out. Indeed, he himself was eager to leave, because the Lord had afflicted him.
21 King Uzziah had leprosy until the day he died. He lived in a separate house [ d ] ( X ) —leprous, and banned from the temple of the Lord . Jotham his son had charge of the palace and governed the people of the land.
22 The other events of Uzziah’s reign, from beginning to end, are recorded by the prophet Isaiah ( Y ) son of Amoz. 23 Uzziah ( Z ) rested with his ancestors and was buried near them in a cemetery that belonged to the kings, for people said, “He had leprosy.” And Jotham his son succeeded him as king. ( AA )
