Allthe peoplewentaway to eat,to drink,to sendportionsand to celebratea greatfestival,becausethey understoodthe wordswhichhad been madeknownto them.
So they ateand drankthat daybeforethe LORDwith greatgladness.And they madeSolomonthe sonof Davidkinga secondtime,and they anointed[him] as rulerfor the LORDand Zadokas priest.
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."
So the Levitescalmedallthe people,saying,"Be still,for the dayis holy;do not be grieved."
Then on the seconddaythe headsof fathers'[households] of allthe people,the priestsand the Leviteswere gatheredto Ezrathe scribethat they might gaininsightinto the wordsof the law.
because on those daysthe Jewsridthemselvesof their enemies,and [it was a] monthwhichwas turnedfor them from sorrowinto gladnessand from mourninginto a holiday;that they should makethem daysof feastingand rejoicingand sendingportions[of food] to oneanotherand giftsto the poor.
"I have not departedfrom the commandof His lips;I have treasuredthe wordsof His mouthmorethanmy necessaryfood.
I have inheritedYour testimoniesforever,For they are the joyof my heart.
ThereforeI loveYour commandmentsAbovegold,yes, abovefinegold.
The unfoldingof Your wordsgiveslight;It givesunderstandingto the simple.
I have rejoicedin the wayof Your testimonies,As muchas in allriches.
I shall delightin Your statutes;I shall not forgetYour word.Gimel.
Let my lipsutterpraise,For You teachme Your statutes.
I longfor Your salvation,O LORD,And Your lawis my delight.
The lawof Your mouthis betterto me Thanthousandsof goldand silver[pieces]. Yodh.
O howI loveYour law!It is my meditationallthe day.
Your wordswere foundand I atethem, And Your wordsbecamefor me a joyand the delightof my heart;For I have been calledby Your name,O LORDGodof hosts.
They saidto one another,"Were not our heartsburningwithinus whileHe was speakingto us on the road,whileHe was explainingthe Scripturesto us?"
For I knowthat nothinggooddwellsin me, that is, in my flesh;for the willingis presentin me, but the doingof the good[is] not.
And thosewho dwellon the earth[will] rejoiceoverthem and celebrate;and they will sendgiftsto one another,becausethesetwoprophetstormentedthosewho dwellon the earth.
