for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of 95 Moses. 6. 19. And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month. For the priests and the Levites were purified together, all of them were pure, and killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and 100 for their brethren the priests, and for themselves. And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek Jehovah the God of Israel, did eat, and kept the feast of unleavened bread seven 105 days with joy: for Jehovah had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel. 4.7. And in the days of 2 Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions, unto 110 Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Aramaic character. Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort: then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; the 115 Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, and the Elamites, and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asnapper brought over, and set in the city of Samaria, and the rest that are beyond the river, and so forth. This 120 is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men beyond the river, and so forth. Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee are come to us unto Jerusalem; they are building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the 125 walls thereof, and joined the foundations. Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou 2 This and the following paragraph have been misplaced in the Hebrew text. They should follow chapter 6 (as here printed), for Artaxerxes was a later king than Darius. shalt endamage the revenue of the kings. Now because we eat the salt of the palace, and it was not meet for us to see the king's dishonour, therefore have we sent and certified the king: 130 that search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time for which cause was this city destroyed. We certify 135 the king that, if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion beyond the river. 4.17. Then sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and unto the rest beyond 140 the river, Peace, and so forth. The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me. And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein. There have been mighty 145 kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them. Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until another commandment shall be given from me. Take heed now that ye fail not to do 150 this why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings? Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power. Then ceased the work of the 155 house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia. LESSON XCII PSALMS OF THE RETURN PSALMS 123, 121, 122, 126, 127, 83 A PRAYER FOR RETURN Psalm 123.1. Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, JUNIOR O thou that dwellest in the heavens. 2 A 5 ΙΟ 15 20 25 Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, And as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; So our eyes wait upon Jehovah our God, Until that he have mercy upon us. Have mercy upon us, O Jehovah, have mercy upon us : With the scorning of those that are at ease, THE JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM 121.1. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills : Whence cometh my help. My help cometh from Jehovah, Which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved : Shall neither slumber nor sleep. Jehovah is thy keeper: Jehovah is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, Nor the moon by night. Jehovah shall keep thee from all evil : He shall keep thy soul. Jehovah shall keep thy going out and thy coming in From this time forth, and even for evermore. A PRAYER FOR JERUSALEM 30 122.1. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of Jehovah. 35 Our feet stand Within thy gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is builded As a city that is compact together: Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of Jehovah, For a testimony unto Israel, To give thanks unto the name of Jehovah. For there are set thrones of judgment, And prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions' sakes, Because of the house of Jehovah our God THE JOY OF RETURN 126.1. When Jehovah turned again the captivity of Zion, We were like them that dream. 40 45 50 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, Then said they among the heathen, Jehovah hath done great things for them. Jehovah hath done great things for us; 55 Turn again our captivity, O Jehovah, They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing his handful 60 of seed, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. THE BUILDING OF THE CITY 127.1. Except Jehovah build the house, They labour in vain that build it: Except Jehovah keep the city, The watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, To eat the bread of toil : 65 Even so giveth he to his beloved sleep. Lo, children are an heritage of Jehovah : And the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man ; 1 Hebrew Negeb. 70 So are children of one's youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: When they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. A PROTEST AGAINST THE PLOTS OF ENEMIES 83.1. Keep not thou silence, O God: Hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God. And they that hate thee have lifted up the head. And consulted against thy hidden ones. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; That the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. They are confederate against thee: The tents of Edom, and the Ishmaelites ; Of Moab, and the Hagarites; Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; The Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assur also is joined with them : They have holpen the children of Lot. Selah. As to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison : They became as dung for the earth. Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: Yea, all their princes as Zebah and as Zalmunna: Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession. O my God, make them like a whirl of dust; As the stubble before the wind. As the fire burneth a wood, And as the flame setteth the mountains on fire; So persecute them with thy tempest, And make them afraid with thy storm. Fill their faces with shame ; That they may seek thy name, O Jehovah. |