FIRST READING: Ezra 6: 7 - 8, 12, 14 - 20
7
And let that temple of God be built by the governor of the Jews, and
by their ancients, that they may build that house of God in its
place.
8
I also have commanded what must be done by those ancients of the
Jews, that the house of God may be built, to wit, that of the king's
chest, that is, of the tribute that is paid out of the country beyond
the river, the charges be diligently given to those men, lest the
work be hindered.
12
And may the God, that hath caused his name to dwell there, destroy
all kingdoms, and the people that shall put out their hand to resist,
and to destroy the house of God, that is in Jerusalem. I Darius have
made the decree, which I will have diligently complied with.
14
And the ancients of the Jews built and prospered according to the
prophecy of Aggeus the prophet, and of Zacharias the son of Addo: and
they built and finished, by the commandment of the God of Israel, and
by the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes kings of the
Persians.
15
And they were finishing this house of God, until the third day of the
month of Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of king
Darius.
16
And the children of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest
of the children of the captivity kept the dedication of the house of
God with joy.
17
And they offered at the dedication of the house of God, a, hundred
calves, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, and for a sin offering
for all Israel twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes
of Israel.
18
And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their
courses over the works of God in Jerusalem, as it is written in the
book of Moses.
19
And the children of Israel of the captivity kept the phase, on the
fourteenth day of the first month.
20
For all the priests and the Levites were purified as one man: all
were clear to kill the phase for all the children of the captivity,
and for their brethren the priests, and themselves.
1
I rejoiced at the things that were said to me: We shall go into the
house of the Lord.
2
Our feet were standing in thy courts, O Jerusalem.
3
Jerusalem, which is built as a city, which is compact together.
4
For thither did the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord: the
testimony of Israel, to praise the name of the Lord.
5
Because their seats have sat in judgment, seats upon the house of
David.
19
And his mother and brethren came unto him; and they could not come at
him for the crowd.
20
And it was told him: Thy mother and thy brethren stand without,
desiring to see thee.
21
Who answering, said to them: My mother and my brethren are they who
hear the word of God, and do it.
