Now the first inhabitants who dwelt in their possessions in their cities were Israelites, priests, Levites, and the temple slaves.

So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some of the people, the temple slaves, and all Israel dwelt in their cities. When the seventh month came, the children of Israel were in their cities.

Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the sons of the captivity were building the temple of Jehovah the God of Israel,

And Solomon offered sacrifices of peace offerings, which he offered unto Jehovah, twenty-two thousand bulls and one hundred and twenty thousand sheep. Thus the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of Jehovah.

King Solomon offered sacrifices of twenty-two thousand bulls and one hundred and twenty thousand sheep. Thus the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.

And on the eighth day they held a solemn assembly, for they observed the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days.

Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter.

And they observed the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy; for Jehovah had made them joyful, and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to Jehovah: For He is good, for His mercy is eternal toward Israel. Then all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised Jehovah, because the foundation of the house of Jehovah was laid.

But many of the priests and Levites and heads of the fathers, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes. And many shouted aloud for joy,

And there you shall eat before Jehovah your God, and you shall rejoice in all to which you have put your hand, you and your households, in which Jehovah your God has blessed you.

Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of Jehovah with shouting and with the sound of the shofar, with trumpets and with cymbals, sounding aloud with lutes and harps.

On the twenty-third day of the seventh month he sent the people away to their tents, joyful and glad of heart for the good that Jehovah had done to David, to Solomon, and to His people Israel.

And the whole assembly took counsel to keep the feast another seven days, and they kept it another seven days with joy.

So there was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the days of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel, there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem.

Then he said to them, Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of Jehovah is your refuge.

Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and the children also rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even at a distance.

i1 [A Song of Ascents of David.] i0 par I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of Jehovah.

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice!