And the sonsof Israel,the priests,the Levitesand the restof the exiles,celebratedthe dedicationof thishouseof Godwith joy.
Now the kingand allIsraelwith him offeredsacrificebeforethe LORD.
Solomonofferedfor the sacrificeof peaceofferings,whichhe offeredto the LORD,22000oxenand 120,000sheep.So the kingand allthe sonsof Israeldedicatedthe houseof the LORD.
Thus allIsraelbroughtup the arkof the covenantof the LORDwith shouting,and with soundof the horn,with trumpets,with loud-soundingcymbals,with harpsand lyres.
Now the firstwholivedin their possessionsin their cities[were] Israel,the priests,the Levitesand the templeservants.
Moreover, KingHezekiahand the officialsorderedthe Levitesto singpraisesto the LORDwith the wordsof Davidand Asaphthe seer.So they sangpraiseswith joy,and boweddownand worshiped.
Then the wholeassemblydecidedto celebrate[the feast] anothersevendays,so they celebratedthe sevendayswith joy.
So there was greatjoyin Jerusalem,becausethere was nothinglike thisin Jerusalemsincethe daysof Solomonthe sonof David,kingof Israel.
KingSolomonoffereda sacrificeof 22,000oxenand 120,000sheep.Thus the kingand allthe peoplededicatedthe houseof God.
Now when the enemiesof Judahand Benjaminheardthat the peopleof the exilewere buildinga templeto the LORDGodof Israel,
And they observedthe Feastof UnleavenedBreadsevendayswith joy,for the LORDhad caused them to rejoice,and had turnedthe heartof the kingof Assyriatowardthem to encouragethem in the workof the houseof God,the Godof Israel.
Now at the dedicationof the wallof Jerusalemthey soughtout the Levitesfrom alltheir places,to bringthem to Jerusalemso that they might celebratethe dedicationwith gladness,with hymnsof thanksgivingand with songs[to the accompaniment] of cymbals,harpsand lyres.
and on that daythey offeredgreatsacrificesand rejoicedbecauseGodhad giventhem greatjoy,eventhe womenand childrenrejoiced,so that the joyof Jerusalemwas heardfrom afar.
Now the priests,the Levites,the gatekeepers,the singers,someof the people,the templeservantsand allIsrael,livedin their cities.And when the seventhmonthcame,the sonsof Israel[were] in their cities.
Then he saidto them, "Go,eatof the fat,drinkof the sweet,and sendportionsto him who has nothingprepared;for this dayis holyto our Lord.Do not be grieved,for the joyof the LORDis your strength."
I was gladwhen they saidto me, "Let us goto the houseof the LORD."
ThenDanielwas broughtin beforethe king.The kingspokeand saidto Daniel,"Are you that Danielwhois one of the exilesfrom Judah,whommy fatherthe kingbroughtfrom Judah?
At that timethe Feast of the Dedicationtook placeat Jerusalem;
"Therealso you and your householdsshall eatbeforethe LORDyour God,and rejoicein allyour undertakingsin whichthe LORDyour Godhas blessedyou.
Rejoicein the Lordalways;againI will say,rejoice!