Then Hezekiahspokeencouraginglyto allthe Leviteswho showedgoodinsight[in the things] of the LORD.So they atefor the appointedsevendays,sacrificingpeaceofferingsand givingthanksto the LORDGodof their fathers.
"Sotherefore, do not be afraid;I will providefor you and your littleones."So he comfortedthem and spokekindlyto them.
"For manydaysIsraelwas withoutthe true Godand withouta teachingpriestand withoutlaw.
They taughtin Judah,[having] the bookof the lawof the LORDwith them; and they wentthroughoutallthe citiesof Judahand taughtamong the people.
He appointedmilitaryofficersoverthe peopleand gatheredthem to him in the squareat the citygate,and spokeencouraginglyto them, saying,
He also saidto the Leviteswho taughtallIsrael[and] who were holyto the LORD,"Putthe holyarkin the housewhichSolomonthe sonof Davidkingof Israelbuilt;it will be a burdenon [your] shouldersnolonger. Nowservethe LORDyour Godand His peopleIsrael.
"Nowtherefore, makeconfessionto the LORDGodof your fathersand doHis will;and separateyourselves from the peoplesof the landand from the foreignwives."
For Ezrahad sethis heartto studythe lawof the LORDand to practice[it], and to teach[His] statutesand ordinancesin Israel.
"You, Ezra,according to the wisdomof your Godwhichis in your hand,appointmagistratesand judgesthat they may judgeallthe peoplewhoare in [the province] beyondthe River,[even] allthose who knowthe lawsof your God;and you may teachanyone whois ignorant[of them].
According to the goodhandof our Godupon us they broughtus a manof insightof the sonsof Mahli,the sonof Levi,the sonof Israel,namely Sherebiah,and his sonsand brothers,18men;
He readfrom the bookof the lawof Goddaily,from the firstdayto the lastday.And they celebratedthe feastsevendays,and on the eighthday[there was] a solemnassemblyaccording to the ordinance.
While they stoodin their place,they readfrom the bookof the lawof the LORDtheir Godfor a fourthof the day;and for [another] fourththey confessedand worshipedthe LORDtheir God.
"Listen,for I will speaknoblethings;And the openingof my lips[will reveal] rightthings.
"Therefore,behold,I will allureher, Bringher into the wildernessAnd speakkindlyto her.
"Thisis eternallife,that they may knowYou, the onlytrue God,and JesusChristwhomYou have sent.
For God,who said,"Lightshall shineout of darkness,"is the One whohas shonein our heartsto give the Lightof the knowledgeof the gloryof Godin the faceof Christ.
"They shall teachYour ordinancesto Jacob,And Your lawto Israel.They shall putincensebeforeYou, And wholeburntofferingson Your altar.
More thanthat, I countallthingsto be lossin viewof the surpassing valueof knowingChristJesusmy Lord,for whomI have suffered the lossof all things,and countthem but rubbishsothat I may gainChrist,
preachthe word;be readyin season[and] out of season;reprove,rebuke,exhort,with greatpatienceand instruction.
Then Joshuasaidto Achan,"My son,I imploreyou, givegloryto the LORD,the Godof Israel,and givepraiseto Him; and tellme nowwhatyou have done.Do not hideit from me."
