y might have reaped the
advantage of escaping all those miseries; yet did they in earnest learn
that what the prophets had told them was true.

2. And when they persevered in the same course of life, God raised up
war against them from the king of Babylon and Chaldea, who sent an army
against Judea, and laid waste the country; and caught king Manasseh by
treachery, and ordered him to be brought to him, and had him under his
power to inflict what punishment he pleased upon him. But then it
was that Manasseh perceived what a miserable condition he was in, and
esteeming himself the cause of all, he besought God to render his enemy
humane and merciful to him. Accordingly, God heard his prayer, and
granted him what he prayed for. So Manasseh was released by the king
of Babylon, and escaped the danger he was in; and when he was come to
Jerusalem, he endeavored, if it were possible, to cast out of his memory
those his former sins against God, of which he now repented, and to
apply himself to a very religious life. He sanctified the temple, and
purged the city, and for the remainder of his days he was intent on
nothing but to return his thanks to God for his deliverance, and to
preserve him propitious to him all his life long. He also instructed
the multitude to do the same, as having very nearly experienced what a
calamity he was fallen into by a contrary conduct. He also rebuilt the
altar, and offered the legal sacrifices, as Moses commanded. And when he
had re-established what concerned the Divine worship, as it ought to be,
he took care of the security of Jerusalem: he did not only repair the
old walls with great diligence, but added another wall to the former. He
also built very lofty towers, and the garrisoned places before the city
he strengthened, not only in other respects, but with provisions of
all sorts that they wanted. And indeed, when he had changed his former
course, he so led his life for the time to come, that from the time of
his return to piety towards God he was deemed a happy man, and a
pattern for imitation. When therefore he had lived sixty-seven years, he
departed this life, having reigned fifty-five years, and was buried in
his own garden; and the kingdom came to his son Amon, whose mother's
name was Meshulemeth, of the city of Jotbath.

CHAPTER 4. How Amon Reigned Instead Of Manasseh; And After Amon Reigned
Josiah; He Was Both Righteous And Religious. As Also Concerning Huldah
The Prophetess.