So they establisheda decreeto circulatea proclamationthroughout allIsraelfrom Beershebaeven to Dan,that they should cometo celebratethe Passoverto the LORDGodof Israelat Jerusalem.For they had not celebrated[it] in greatnumbersas it was prescribed.
So Abrahamroseearlyin the morningand tookbreadand a skinof waterand gave[them] to Hagar,putting[them] on her shoulder,and [gave her] the boy,and senther away.And she departedand wanderedabout in the wildernessof Beersheba.
They madea proclamationin Judahand Jerusalemto bringto the LORDthe levy[fixed by] Mosesthe servantof Godon Israelin the wilderness.
Thus the thingwas rightin the sightof the kingand allthe assembly.
There had not been celebrateda Passoverlikeit in Israelsincethe daysof Samuelthe prophet;norhad anyof the kingsof Israelcelebratedsuch a Passoveras Josiahdidwith the priests,the Levites,allJudahand Israelwho were present,and the inhabitantsof Jerusalem.
Now in the firstyearof Cyruskingof Persia--in order to fulfillthe wordof the LORDby the mouthof Jeremiah--the LORDstirredup the spiritof Cyruskingof Persia,so that he senta proclamationthroughouthis kingdom,and also[put it] in writing,saying,
"Now,O king,establishthe injunctionand signthe documentsothat it may not be changed,according to the lawof the Medesand Persians,whichmay not be revoked."
"Speakto the sonsof Israeland sayto them, 'The LORD'Sappointedtimeswhichyou shall proclaimas holyconvocations--My appointedtimesare these:
Theseare the appointedtimesof the LORD,holyconvocationswhichyou shall proclaimat the timesappointedfor them.
NowI praiseyou becauseyou rememberme in everythingand hold firmlyto the traditions,justas I deliveredthem to you.
"WhateverI commandyou, you shall be carefulto do;you shall not addto nortakeawayfrom it.
Then allthe sonsof Israelfrom Danto Beersheba,including the landof Gilead,cameout, and the congregationassembledas onemanto the LORDat Mizpah.
