15. On the fourteenth day of the second month, one month later than usual, the people slaughtered the Passover lamb. This shamed the priests and Levites, so they purified themselves and brought burnt offerings to the Temple of the lord.
16. Then they took their places at the Temple as prescribed in the Law of Moses, the man of God. The Levites brought the sacrificial blood to the priests, who then sprinkled it on the altar.
17. Since many of the people had not purified themselves, the Levites had to slaughter their Passover lamb for them, to set them apart for the lord.
18. Most of those who came from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun had not purified themselves. But King Hezekiah prayed for them, and they were allowed to eat the Passover meal anyway, even though this was contrary to the requirements of the Law. For Hezekiah said, “May the lord, who is good, pardon those
19. who decide to follow the lord, the God of their ancestors, even though they are not properly cleansed for the ceremony.”
20. And the lord listened to Hezekiah’s prayer and healed the people.
21. So the people of Israel who were present in Jerusalem joyously celebrated the Festival of Unleavened Bread for seven days. Each day the Levites and priests sang to the lord, accompanied by loud instruments.