Then he saidto them, "Listento me, O Levites.Consecrateyourselves now,and consecratethe houseof the LORD,the Godof your fathers,and carrythe uncleannessout from the holyplace.
and saidto them, "You are the headsof the fathers'[households] of the Levites;consecrateyourselves both you and your relatives,that you may bringup the arkof the LORDGodof Israelto [the place] that I have preparedfor it.
But the priestswere too few,so that they were unableto skinallthe burntofferings;therefore their brothersthe Leviteshelpedthem untilthe workwas completedand untilthe [other] priestshad consecratedthemselves. For the Leviteswere moreconscientiousto consecratethemselves thanthe priests.
He broughtin the priestsand the Levitesand gatheredthem into the squareon the east.
"Now slaughterthe Passover[animals], sanctifyyourselves and preparefor your brethrento doaccording to the wordof the LORDby Moses."
The priestsand the Levitespurifiedthemselves; they also purifiedthe people,the gatesand the wall.
Then I gavean orderand they cleansedthe rooms;and I returnedtherethe utensilsof the houseof Godwith the grain offeringsand the frankincense.
Your testimoniesare fullyconfirmed;HolinessbefitsYour house,O LORD,forevermore.
The LORDalso saidto Moses,"Goto the peopleand consecratethem todayand tomorrow,and let them washtheir garments;
He saidto the people,"Be readyfor the thirdday;do not goneara woman."
"Then I will sprinklecleanwateron you, and you will be clean;I will cleanseyou from allyour filthinessand from allyour idols.
He stretchedout the formof a handand caughtme by a lockof my head;and the Spiritliftedme up betweenearthand heavenand broughtme in the visionsof Godto Jerusalem,to the entranceof the northgateof the inner[court], wherethe seatof the idolof jealousy,whichprovokesto jealousy,was [located].
And He saidto me, "Sonof man,doyou seewhatthey are doing,the greatabominationswhichthe houseof Israelare committinghere,so that I would be farfrom My sanctuary?But yetyou will seestillgreaterabominations."
Gatherthe people,sanctifythe congregation,Assemblethe elders,Gatherthe childrenand the nursinginfants.Let the bridegroomcomeout of his roomAnd the brideout of her [bridal] chamber.
Orwhatagreementhas the templeof Godwith idols?For we are the templeof the livingGod;justas Godsaid,"I WILL DWELLIN THEM AND WALK AMONGTHEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD,AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
Therefore,havingthesepromises,beloved,let us cleanseourselvesfrom alldefilementof fleshand spirit,perfectingholinessin the fearof God.
