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.
In his daysPharaohNecokingof Egyptwentup to the kingof Assyriato the riverEuphrates.And KingJosiahwentto meethim, and when [Pharaoh Neco] sawhim he killedhim at Megiddo.
Moreover, Jehoiadaplacedthe officesof the houseof the LORDunder the authorityof the Leviticalpriests,whomDavidhad assignedoverthe houseof the LORD,to offerthe burntofferingsof the LORD,as it is writtenin the lawof Moses--with rejoicingand singingaccordingto the orderof David.
Moreover, KingHezekiahand the officialsorderedthe Levitesto singpraisesto the LORDwith the wordsof Davidand Asaphthe seer.So they sangpraiseswith joy,and boweddownand worshiped.
The sonsof Israelpresentin Jerusalemcelebratedthe Feastof UnleavenedBread[for] sevendayswith greatjoy,and the Levitesand the priestspraisedthe LORDdayafter daywith loudinstrumentsto the LORD.
Therefore the LORDbroughtthe commandersof the armyof the kingof Assyriaagainstthem, and they capturedManassehwith hooks,boundhim with bronze[chains] and tookhim to Babylon.
Thus the sonsof Israelwho were presentcelebratedthe Passoverat that time,and the Feastof UnleavenedBreadsevendays.
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 proclamationthroughout allhis kingdom,and also[put it] in writing,saying:
ThenKingDariusissueda decree,and searchwas madein the archives,wherethe treasureswere storedin Babylon.
Blessedbe the LORD,the Godof our fathers,whohas put[such a thing] as thisin the king'sheart,to adornthe houseof the LORDwhichis in Jerusalem,
But during allthis[time] I was not in Jerusalem,for in the thirty-secondyearof Artaxerxeskingof BabylonI had goneto the king.Aftersome time,however, I askedleave from the king,
When a man'swaysare pleasingto the LORD,He makesevenhis enemiesto be at peacewith him.
The king'sheartis [like] channelsof waterin the handof the LORD;He turnsit whereverHe wishes.
the Babyloniansand allthe Chaldeans,Pekodand Shoaand Koa,[and] allthe Assyrianswith them; desirableyoungmen,governorsand officialsallof them, officersand menof renown,allof them ridingon horses.
Nowon the first[day] of UnleavenedBread the disciplescameto Jesusand asked,"Wheredo You wantus to preparefor You to eatthe Passover?"
Jesusanswered,"You would havenoauthorityoverMe, unlessit had beengivenyou from above;for thisreasonhe who deliveredMe to you has[the] greatersin."
