and on the following day, the twenty-third day of the seventh month, Solomon sent the people home. They were happy about all the blessings that the LORD had given to his people Israel, to David, and to Solomon.

After the festival ended, all the people of Israel went to every city in Judah and broke the stone pillars, cut down the symbols of the goddess Asherah, and destroyed the altars and the pagan places of worship. They did the same thing throughout the rest of Judah, and the territories of Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh; then they all returned home.

Then King Solomon summoned all the leaders of the tribes and clans of Israel to come to him in Jerusalem in order to take the LORD's Covenant Box from Zion, David's City, to the Temple.

listen to your people's prayers. If there in that land they repent and pray to you, confessing how sinful and wicked they have been, hear their prayers, O LORD.

There, in the presence of the LORD your God, who has blessed you, you and your families will eat and enjoy the good things that you have worked for.

Be joyful there in his presence, together with your children, your servants, and the Levites who live in your towns; remember that the Levites will have no land of their own.

You and your children, together with your servants and the Levites who live in your towns, are to eat these offerings only in the presence of the LORD your God, in the one place of worship chosen by the LORD your God. And you are to be happy there over everything that you have done.

Be joyful in the LORD's presence, together with your children, your servants, and the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows who live in your towns. Do this at the one place of worship.

King Hezekiah and the people were happy, because God had helped them to do all this so quickly.

The city of Jerusalem was filled with joy, because nothing like this had happened since the days of King Solomon, the son of David.

The priests and the Levites asked the LORD's blessing on the people. In his home in heaven God heard their prayers and accepted them.

Now go home and have a feast. Share your food and wine with those who don't have enough. Today is holy to our Lord, so don't be sad. The joy that the LORD gives you will make you strong."

Come, let us praise the LORD! Let us sing for joy to God, who protects us!

Let us come before him with thanksgiving and sing joyful songs of praise.

Sing to the LORD, all the world!

Worship the LORD with joy; come before him with happy songs!

Remember me, LORD, when you help your people; include me when you save them.

Let me see the prosperity of your people and share in the happiness of your nation, in the glad pride of those who belong to you.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love you prosper.

For the sake of the house of the LORD our God I pray for your prosperity.

They will be famous among the nations; Everyone who sees them will know That they are a people whom I have blessed."

Jerusalem rejoices because of what the LORD has done. She is like a bride dressed for her wedding. God has clothed her with salvation and victory.

I will comfort you in Jerusalem, as a mother comforts her child.

When you see this happen, you will be glad; it will make you strong and healthy. Then you will know that I, the LORD, help those who obey me, and I show my anger against my enemies."

They will come and sing for joy on Mount Zion and be delighted with my gifts--- gifts of grain and wine and olive oil, gifts of sheep and cattle. They will be like a well-watered garden; they will have everything they need.

I will fill the priests with the richest food and satisfy all the needs of my people. I, the LORD, have spoken."

Sing and shout for joy, people of Israel! Rejoice with all your heart, Jerusalem!

Rejoice, rejoice, people of Zion! Shout for joy, you people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you! He comes triumphant and victorious, but humble and riding on a donkey--- on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

How good and beautiful the land will be! The young people will grow strong on its grain and wine.

Day after day they met as a group in the Temple, and they had their meals together in their homes, eating with glad and humble hearts,

But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

May you always be joyful in your union with the Lord. I say it again: rejoice!