16. Shaphan took the book to the king and reported, “We are doing everything you told us to do.
17. We took the money that was donated in the Lord’s temple and gave it to the supervisors and the workmen.”
18. Then the scribe Shaphan told the king, “The priest Hilkiah has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it to the king.
19. When the king heard what the Teachings said, he tore his clothes ⌊in distress⌋.
20. Then the king gave an order to Hilkiah, Ahikam (son of Shaphan), Abdon (son of Micah), the scribe Shaphan, and the royal official Asaiah. He said,
21. “On behalf of those who are left in Israel and Judah and me, ask the Lord about the words in this book that was found. The Lord’s fierce anger has been poured on us because our ancestors did not obey the word of the Lord by doing everything written in this book.”
22. So Hilkiah and the king’s officials went to talk to the prophet Huldah about this matter. She was the wife of Shallum, son of Tokhath and grandson of Hasrah. Shallum was in charge of the ⌊royal⌋ wardrobe. Huldah was living in the Second Part of Jerusalem.
23. She told them, “This is what the Lord God of Israel says: Tell the man who sent you to me,
24. ‘This is what the Lord says: I’m going to bring disaster on this place and on the people living here according to the curses written in the book that was read to the king of Judah.
25. I will do this because they have abandoned me and sacrificed to other gods in order to make me furious. Therefore, my anger will be poured on this place and will never come to an end.’ ”
26. ⌊Huldah added,⌋ “Tell Judah’s king who sent you to me to ask the Lord a question, ‘This is what the Lord God of Israel says about the words you heard: