Whois leftamong you whosawthistemplein its formerglory?And howdo you seeit now?Does it not seemto you like nothingin comparison?
Davidsaid,"My sonSolomonis youngand inexperienced,and the housethat is to be builtfor the LORDshall be exceedinglymagnificent,famousand gloriousthroughout alllands.[Therefore] nowI will makepreparationfor it." So Davidmadeamplepreparationsbeforehis death.
They sang,praisingand givingthanksto the LORD,[saying], "For He is good,for His lovingkindnessis upon Israelforever."And allthe peopleshoutedwith a greatshoutwhen they praisedthe LORDbecausethe foundationof the houseof the LORDwas laid.
Yet manyof the priestsand Levitesand headsof fathers'[households], the oldmenwhohad seenthe firsttemple,weptwith a loudvoicewhen the foundationof thishousewas laidbefore their eyes,while manyshoutedaloudfor joy,
Your holycitieshave becomea wilderness,Zionhas becomea wilderness,Jerusalema desolation.
They transformedthe beautyof His ornamentsinto pride,and they madethe imagesof their abominations[and] their detestablethingswith it; thereforeI will makeit an abhorrentthingto them.
The lattergloryof thishousewill be greaterthanthe former,'saysthe LORDof hosts,'and in thisplaceI will givepeace,'declaresthe LORDof hosts."
