everyonewho prepareshis heartto seekGod,the LORDGodof his fathers,though not according to the purification[rules] of the sanctuary."
Godcreatedthe greatseamonstersand everylivingcreaturethat moves,with whichthe watersswarmedafter their kind,and everywingedbirdafter its kind;and Godsawthat it was good.
"O LORD,the Godof Abraham,Isaacand Israel,our fathers,preservethisforeverin the intentionsof the heartof Your people,and directtheir heartto You;
"But thereis [some] goodin you, for you have removedthe Asherothfrom the landand you have setyour heartto seekGod."
The highplaces,however,were not removed;the peoplehad not yetdirectedtheir heartsto the Godof their fathers.
The sonsof Israelwho returnedfrom exileand allthose who had separatedthemselves from the impurityof the nationsof the landto [join] them, to seekthe LORDGodof Israel,ate[the Passover].
For Ezrahad sethis heartto studythe lawof the LORDand to practice[it], and to teach[His] statutesand ordinancesin Israel.
"Ifyou would directyour heartrightAnd spreadout your handto Him,
O LORD,You have heardthe desireof the humble;You will strengthentheir heart,You will inclineYour ear
Giveme your heart,my son,And let your eyesdelightin my ways.
Then she shall remainin the bloodof [her] purificationfor thirty-threedays;she shall not touchanyconsecratedthing,norenterthe sanctuaryuntilthe daysof her purificationare completed.
But there were [some] menwhowere uncleanbecause of [the] deadperson,so that they couldnot observePassoveron that day;so they camebeforeMosesand Aaronon that day.
Then Samuelspoketo allthe houseof Israel,saying,"Ifyou returnto the LORDwith allyour heart,removethe foreigngodsand the Ashtarothfrom amongyou and directyour heartsto the LORDand serveHim alone;and He will deliveryou from the handof the Philistines."
