A reading from the book of Second Kings.

In the second year of Joach, the son of Joahas, king of Israel, Amaziah the son of

Joach, king of Judah, began to reign. He was 25 years old when he began to reign, and he

reigned 29 years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jehoadin of Jerusalem, and he did what

was right in the eyes of the Lord,

yet not like David his father. He did in all things as Joash his father had done. But the high

places were not removed, the people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places.

And as soon as the royal power was firmly in his hand, he struck down his servants who had struck

down the king, his father. But he did not put to death the children of the murderers, according

to what is written in the book of the law of Moses, where the Lord commanded, fathers

shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because

of their fathers, but each one shall die for his own sin.

He struck down 10,000 Edomites in the valley of salt and took Cila by storm, and called it

Jokhtheel, which is its name to this day. Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of

Jehoahaz, son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us look one another in the face.

In Jehoas, King of Israel, sent word to Amaziah, King of Judah.

A thistle on Lebanon sent to a cedar on Lebanon, saying,

Give your daughter to my son for a wife.

And a wild beast of Lebanon passed by and trampled down the thistle.

You have indeed struck down Eidem,

and your heart has lifted you up. Be content with your glory, and stay at home,

for why should you provoke trouble so that you fall, you and Judah with you? But Amaziah

...