Ezra 8:1-36 The Genealogy of Those Who Returned from Captivity in Babylon

 

The Genealogy of Those Who Returned from Captivity in Babylon

Ezra 8:1-36         The Book of Ezra in [Smaller Chunks]

These are the [leaders] of their [forefathers’ families] & their genealogy of [those who returned] with me from Babylon, [when] Artaxerxes, the king, [ruled:] Of the [descendants] of Phinehas: Gersham. Of the [descendants] of Ithamar: Daniel. Of the [descendants] of David: Hattush.

Of the [descendants] of Shechaniah, [a.k.a. Shekaiah, who was a descendant] of Pharosh: Zechariah & with him, 150 males [registered] by [their] genealogy. Of the [descendants] of Pahath Moab: Elihoenani, [who was] the son of Zerahiah & with him, 200 males.

Of the [descendants] of Shechaniah, [a.k.a. Shekaniah, who was] the son of Jahaziel & with him, 300 males. Of the [descendants] of Adin: Ebed, [who] was the son of Jonathan & with him, 50 males.

And of the [descendants] of Elam: Jeshaiah, [who was] the son of Athaliah & with him 70 males. And of the [descendants] of Shephatiah: Zebadiah, [who was] the son of Michael & with him, 80 males.

Of the [descendants] of Joab: Obadiah, [who was] the son of Jehiel & with him, 218 males. And of the [descendants] of Shelomith, [a.k.a. Bani’s descendant, who was] the son of Josiphiah & with him, 160 males.

And of the [descendants] of Bebai: Zechariah, [who was] the son of Bebai & with him, 28 males. And of the [descendants] of Asgad: Johanan, [who was] the son of Hakkatan & with him, 110 males.

And the last of the [descendants] of Adonikam, whose names are these: Eliphelet, Jeiel, [a.k.a. Jenel,] & Shemaiah & with them, 60 males. Also, of the [descendants] of Bigvai: Uthai & Zabbud, [a.k.a. Zakkur,] & with them, 70 males.

And I gathered them together to the river that runs toward Ahava & we [camped] in tents [there] 3 days. And I [saw] the people & priests & [I] found there were [no descendants] of Levi.

Then, I sent for: Eliezer, Ariel, Semaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, Meshullam, [who were leaders] & also for: Joiarib, & Elnathan, [knowledgeable] men.

I sent them with a [command] to Iddo, the chief [priest] at Casiphia, [a.k.a. Kasipra] & I told them what they should say to Iddo & his brethren, the Nethinims, [so] they [could] bring to us ministers [to serve in] the house of our God.

And [with] the good hand of our God upon us, they brought us a [knowledgeable] man, [from the descendants] Mahli. [Mahli was] the son of Levi, [who was] the son of Israel, [a.k.a. Jacob;] Sherebiah, with his sons & [relatives,] 18 [total.]

And Hashabiah & with him: Jeshaiah, of the [descendants] of Merari & his [relatives] & their sons, 20. Also, [they brought] of the Nethinims, whom David & the princes had appointed for the service of Levites, 220 Nethinims, all of were [registered] by name.

Then, I [declared] a fast there, at the River of Ahava, [so] that we might [humble] ourselves before our God, for Him to [search from] Him a right [road] for us & our little ones & all our [possessions.]

For I was ashamed to [need] a band of the king’s soldiers & horsemen, to help [protect] us against the enemy [on] the [road,] because we had spoken to the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all [those who] seek Him for good; but [God’s] power & His [anger] are against all [those who abandon] Him.

So, we fasted & [pleaded with] our God for this & He [answered our prayer for] us. Then, I separated 12 of the chief priests, Sherebiah & Hashabiah, with 10 of their brethren.

And [I] weighed to them the silver & gold & the vessels, even the offering [from] the house of our God, [that] the king, his counselors, his lords & all Israel present [there] had offered. I even weighed into their hand: 650 talents of silver & 100 talents of silver vessels,100 talents of silver vessels & 100 talents of gold.

Also, 20 gold [basins, worth] 1,000 drams, [a.k.a. drachmas] & 2 vessels of fine copper, [as] precious as gold. And I said to them, You are holy to the Lord: the vessels are also holy to the Lord. And the silver & gold are a freewill offering to the Lord God of your [forefathers.]

Watch & keep them [safe,] until you weigh them [in front of] the chief of priests, the Levites & the [leaders of our forefathers’ families] of Israel, [in] Jerusalem, in the [rooms] of the [Lord’s] house.

So, the priests & the Levites took the weight of the silver, gold & vessels to bring them to the house of our God [in] Jerusalem. Then, we [left] from the River of Ahava on the 12th day of the 1st month, to go to Jerusalem.

And the hand of [the Lord] our God was upon us & He delivered us from the hand of the enemy [who] lay in wait by the [road to ambush us.] We came to Jerusalem & [stayed] there 3 days.

On the 4th day, the silver, gold & vessels were weighed in [God’s] house by the hand of Meremoth, [Uriah’s] son, the priest. Eleazar, [Phinehas’] son, was with him & [so were] Jozabad, [Jeshua’s] son & Noadiah, [Binnui’s] son, [of the] Levites.

At that time, all the weight was written by number & by weight. Also, the children of those [who had returned from] captivity offered burnt offerings to the [Lord] God of Israel: 12 [bulls] for all [of] Israel, 96 rams, 77 lambs & 12 [male] goats for a sin offering.

All this was a burnt offering to the Lord. And they delivered the king’s [orders] to the king’s lieutenants & to the governors on this side of the [Euphrates] River & they [gave support] to the people & the house of God.

Ezra 7:1-28 Ezra’s Genealogy & Funding the Rebuilding of the Lord’s House.

 

Ezra’s Genealogy & Funding the Rebuilding of the Lord’s House.

Ezra 7:1-28      The Book of Ezra in [Smaller Chunks]

Now, after these things, [during] the reign of Artaxerxes, [Persia’s] king, [were:] Ezra, [Seraiah’s] son. [Seraiah was Azariah’s] son. [Azariah was Hilkiah’s] son. [Hilkiah was] the son of Shallum. [Shallum was Zadok’s] son.

[Zadok was Ahitub’s] son. [Ahitub was Amariah’s] son. [Amariah was Azariah’s] son. [Azariah was Meraioth’s] son. [Meraioth was Zerahiah’s] son. [Zerahiah was Uzzi’s] son. [Uzzi was Bukki’s] son. [Bukki was Abishua’s] son.

[Abishua was Phinehas’] son. [Phinehas was Eleazar’s] son. [Eleazar was Aaron’s] son, the chief priest. This Ezra [left] Babylon & was a scribe, [capable] in the Law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had given.

And the king granted [Ezra] all [he requested, because] the hand of the Lord his God, was upon him. [Also,] some of the children [people] of Israel, the priests, the Levites, the singers [& musicians] & the [gate keepers] & the Nethinims went up to Jerusalem, [during] the 7th year king Artaxerxes [ruled.]

[Ezra] came to Jerusalem in the 5th month, which was [during] the 7th year of the king. On the 1st day of the 1st month, [Ezra left] from Babylon & on the 1st day of the 5th month, [Ezra] came to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.

For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord & to do it & to teach [mandates] & judgments in Israel.

Now, this is the copy of the letter king Artaxerxes gave to Ezra, the priest & scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the Lord & His [mandates] to Israel. [From] Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra, the priest & a scribe of the Law of the God of heaven & perfect peace, at [this] time.

[Isaiah 49:8-10 The Lord says [this,] In an acceptable time, I have heard you & in a day of Salvation I have helped you & I will preserve you for a covenant [contract for] My people, to establish the earth & to cause [them] to inherit the desolate [& empty] heritages. That you may say to the prisoners, Go forth; to those [who] are in darkness, Show yourselves.

They shall feed in the [paths] & their pastures shall be in all high places. They shall not hunger, nor thirst. Neither shall the heat nor the sun [strike] them. For He, [Who] has mercy on them, shall lead them, even by the springs of water, He shall guide them.]

I make a decree, that all [who are of a mind] of their own free will, of the people of Israel & of His priests & Levites, in my [kingdom may] go up to Jerusalem, with you. [Since,] you are sent [by] the king & his 7 counselors, to [inquire about] Judah & Jerusalem, according to the Law of your God, which is in [Ezra’s] hand.

And carry the silver & the gold, which the king & the counselors have freely offered to the [Lord] God of Israel, Whose habitation is in Jerusalem. And all the silver & gold you can find in all [of] the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people & the priests [who offered] willingly for the house of their God in Jerusalem.

[So] you [may quickly] buy with this money: [bulls,] rams & lambs to offer on the altar of [God’s] house in Jerusalem with their [meat/grain] offerings & drink offerings. And do [whatever seems best] to you & your brethren with the rest of the silver & gold, [according] to the will of your God.

Also, deliver before the God of Jerusalem, the vessels that are also given to you for the service of the house of your God. Out of the king’s treasure house [will be given whatever] more shall [still] be needed for the house of your God.

And I, king Artaxerxes, do make a decree to all the treasurers beyond the [Euphrates] River, [do] speedily [whatever] Ezra, the priest & scribe of the Law of the God of heaven, [might need from] you, [up to:] 100 talents of silver, 100 measures, [a.k.a. kors,] of wheat, 100 baths of wine & 100 baths of oil & [an unlimited amount of] salt.

[Whatever] the [Lord] God of heaven [commands, shall] be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven. For why should there be [any anger] against the [kingdom] of the king & his sons?

Also, we certify [to] you, that it is [unlawful] to impose [a] toll, [a.k.a. tax,] tribute, or [customs, a.k.a. import taxes upon any] of the priests, Levites, singers [& musicians,] [gate keepers,] Nethinims, or ministers of [God’s] house.

And you, Ezra, [according to] the wisdom of your God, [Who] is in your hand, Ezra, [put law officers,] judges & all [who] know the Laws of your God [to] judge all the people beyond the [Euphrates] River & to teach [those who don’t] know them.

Let judgment be [carried out] speedily, whether [for] death, [exile,] imprisonment, or confiscation of goods [from those who] won’t do the Law of your God & the law of the king.

Blessed be the Lord God of our [forefathers, Who] has put [something] such as this in the king’s heart, to beautify the [Lord’s] house in Jerusalem. And [the Lord God] has extended mercy to me before the king, his counselors & the king’s mighty princes. As the hand of the Lord my God was upon me, I was strengthened & gathered [leaders] of Israel together to go up with me.

[Ezra 8:18-19 And by the good hand of our God upon us, they brought us a man of understanding, [from the descendants] of Mahli, [Levi’s] son, [from] Israel & Sherebiah, with his sons & brethren, 18. And Hashabiah & with him, Jeshaiah, [from the descendants] of Merari, his brethren & sons, 20.]

Ezra 6:1-22 They Found King Cyrus’ Decree to Rebuild the Lord God’s House

 

They Found King Cyrus’ Decree to Rebuild the Lord God’s House

Ezra 6:1-22         The Book of Ezra in [Smaller Chunks]

Then, king Darius made a decree & [a] search was made in the house of [scrolls] where [they put] the treasures of Babylon. A [scroll] was found in the palace at Achmetha, [a.k.a. Ecbatana,] in the province of the Medes.

[This] record was written [on it.] In the 1st year of king Cyrus, the king made a decree [about] the house of God [in] Jerusalem. Let the house & the place where they offer sacrifices be [rebuilt.]

Let the foundations be [strong when it is] laid; the height [of it] 60 cubits & the [width] 60 cubits. With 3 rows of [large] stones & a row of new [lumber] & let the expenses be [paid] out of the king’s [palace.]

Also, let the golden & silver vessels [from] the house of God, [that] Nebuchadnezzar [had taken] out of the temple [in] Jerusalem & brought to Babylon, be restored  & brought [back] to [its own] place in the temple in the house of God, [in] Jerusalem.

Therefore, now, governor, Tatnai, beyond the [Euphrates] River, Shethar Boznai & your companions, the Apharsachites which are beyond the river, [stay] far from [there &] let the work of the house of God alone. Let the governor of the Jews & the Jew’s elders [rebuild God’s] house in [its own] place.

[Also,] I decree [that] the expenses [are] given to the [Jew’s] elders for building [God’s] house, from the king’s [possessions,] even [from] the tribute, [a.k.a. taxes of those] beyond the [Euphrates] River, [so] these men [aren’t financially] hindered.

Let them it be given [to] them day by day without fail, [what] they have need of: both young [bulls,] rams & lambs for the burnt offerings of the [Lord] God of heaven [&] wheat, salt, wine & oil, according to the priests [appointed in] Jerusalem. [So] they may offer sacrifices of sweet [aromas] to the God of heaven & pray for the [lives] of the king & his sons.

I have also [decreed] that [whoever alters] this word, [shall have the lumber] pulled down from his house & [put] up to  & let him be [hung here.] And let his house be made a [garbage dump] for [doing] this.

I, Darius, have made a decree. Let it be done with speed & [may] the God, [Who] caused His name to dwell there, destroy all the kings & people [who try] to alter [this] & [try] to destroy this house of God [in] Jerusalem. Then, governor Tatnai, on this side of the [Euphrates] River, Shethar Boznai & their companions speedily did according to [what] king Darius had sent [in the decree.]

And the elders of the Jews [continued to build] & they prospered through the prophesying of the prophet, Haggai & Zechariah, [Iddo’s] son. And they [built] & finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel & according to the [command] of Cyrus, Darius & Artaxerxes, [king] of Persia.

And the [Lord’s] house was finished on the 3rd day of the month Adar, [during] the 6th year king Darius [ruled.] And the children [people] of Israel, the priests & the Levites & the rest of [those returned from] captivity, kept the dedication of [God’s] house with joy.

At the dedication of [God’s] house, [they] offered: 100 [bulls,] 200 rams, 400 lambs & for a sin offering: 12 [male] goats, according to the number of tribes of Israel. And they [appointed] the priests in their divisions & the Levites in their [groups,] for their service of God, [in] Jerusalem, as it is written in the Book of Moses.

The children [people who returned from] captivity kept the Passover on the 14th day of the 1st month. For the priests & Levites [had] purified [themselves] together & were pure. And [they] killed the Passover [animals] for all the [people who returned from] captivity & for their brethren, the priests & for themselves.

And the children [people who had] come again [from] captivity & all [those who] separated themselves from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, [in order] to seek the Lord God of Israel, [ate.]

[Ezra 9:10-11 O our God & now what shall we say after this? For we have [abandoned] Your commandments, [that] You have commanded by the prophets, Your servants, saying, The land [where] you go to possess, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness.]

And [they] kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread 7 days with joy: for the Lord had made them joyful & turned the heart of [Assyria’s] king to them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

Ezra 5:1-17 The Enemies Continue to Try to Stop the Rebuilding of the Lord’s House

 

The Enemies Try to Stop the Rebuilding of the Lord’s House

Ezra 5:1-17               The Book of Ezra in [Smaller Chunks]

Then, the prophets: Haggai & Zechariah, [Iddo’s] son, prophesied even to the Jews [who] were in Judah & Jerusalem in the Name of the God of Israel.

Then, Zerubbabel, [Shealtiel’s] son & Jeshua, [a.k.a. Joshua, Jozadak’s] son, rose up & began to [rebuild] the house of God [in] Jerusalem: with [God’s] prophets helping them.

At the same time, Tatnai, governor on this side of the [Euphrates] River & Shethar Boznai & their companions came & said [this] to them, Who has commanded you to [rebuild] this house & [put] up this wall? Then we said to them, What are the names of the men [who are constructing] this building?

But the eye of their God was upon the [Jews’] elders, [so] they couldn’t [make them stop, until] the matter came to Darius. And then, they returned [an] answer by letter, [about] this matter.

The copy of the letter sent to king Darius, [by:] Tatnai, governor on this side [of] the [Euphrates] River, Shethar Boznai & his companions: the Apharsachites, which were on this side of the river.

[In] the letter they sent to him was written [this,] All peace [be to] king Darius. The king [should know] that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is [being rebuilt with large] stones & timber is laid in the walls & the work goes [quickly] & their hands prosper.

[When] we asked those elders & said [this] to them, Who commanded you to [rebuild] this house & to [put] up these walls? We also asked their names, [so] we might write the names of the [leaders] of the men & [inform] you.

And they [replied,] We are the servants of the [Lord] God of heaven & earth & [have rebuilt] the house that the great king [Solomon] of Israel [built] many years ago.

But after that, our [forefathers] provoked the God of heaven [to anger] & He gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, [Babylon’s] king, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house & carried the people away into Babylon.

[2 Kings 17:9-12 And the [people] of Israel secretly did those things that weren’t right, against the Lord, their God & they built [themselves] high places in all their cities, from the Tower of the Watchman to the fenced city. And they [put up for themselves] images & groves in every high hill & under every green tree.

And they burnt incense in all the high places, as did the heathen, whom the Lord carried away before them & [they formed] wicked things to provoke the Lord to anger; for they served idols, where the Lord had said to them, You shall not do this thing.]

But in the 1st year of king Cyrus of Babylon, [king Cyrus] made a decree to [rebuild] this house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar [had taken] the vessels of gold & silver [from] the temple of [God’s] house in Jerusalem & brought them into the temple in Babylon.

King Cyrus [took those] out of the temple of Babylon & they were delivered to Sheshbazzar, whom [Cyrus] had made governor. And said to him, Take these vessels & go carry them to the temple [site] that is in Jerusalem & let [God’s] house be [rebuilt] in this place.

Then, Sheshbazzar came & laid the foundation of [God’s] house, which is in Jerusalem. And since that time even until now, it [has continued being rebuilt] & isn’t finished yet.

Therefore, now, if it [seems] good to the king, let a search be made in the king’s treasure house, which is there [in] Babylon, to [see] whether it [is] so, that a decree was made [by] king Cyrus to [rebuild God’s] house in Jerusalem. And let the king send to us [his response about] this matter, at his pleasure.

[Ezra 6:3 In the 1st year of king Cyrus, this same Cyrus made a decree [about] the house of God in Jerusalem, Let the house be [rebuilt,] the place where they offer sacrifices & [its] foundations, should be strongly laid. [It should be] 60 cubits [high] 60 cubits wide.]

Ezra 4:1-24 Their Enemies Try to Stop the Rebuilding of the Lord God’s House

 

Their Enemies Continue to Try to Stop the Rebuilding of the Lord God’s House.

Ezra 4:1-24      The Book of Ezra in [Smaller Chunks]

Now, when the [enemies] of Judah & Benjamin heard that the children [people returned from] captivity [were building] a temple to the Lord God of Israel, then they came to Zerubbabel & the [leaders] of the [forefathers’ families] & said to them, Let us [rebuild] with you, [because] we seek your God, [like] you do.

And we [have sacrificed] to Him, since the days of Esar Haddon, [Assur’s] king, [who] brought us up [here.] But Zerubbabel & the [leaders of the forefathers’ families] of Israel said to them, You have [no part] with us [in building] a house to our God.

But we [will rebuild] a house to the Lord, our God of Israel ourselves, together [for] the Lord God of Israel, [like] king Cyrus of Persia commanded us. Then, the people of the land [tried to discourage] & [weaken] the hands of the people of Judah & troubled them in building.

And [they] hired counselors to [keep them from attaining their goal,] all the days of Cyrus, [Persia’s king,] even until Darius, [Persia’s] king [ruled.] And in the beginning of [Ahasuerus’] reign, they wrote to him [with] an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah & Jerusalem.

And [during Artaxerxes’ reign,] Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel & the rest of their companions [wrote a] letter in the Syrian [language] to Artaxerxes, [Persia’s] king & [was] interpreted in the Syrian [language.]

Rehum, the chancellor, [a.k.a. chief director of state] & Shimshai, the scribe, wrote a letter to Artaxerxes, the king, against Jerusalem [about] this. Then, Rehum & Shimshai wrote [with] the rest of their companions:

The Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, the Elamites & the rest of the nations,

whom the great & noble Asnapper, [a.k.a. Ashurbanipal,] brought over & [put] in the cities of Samaria & the rest that are on this side [of] the [Euphrates] River, at [this] time.

This is the copy of the letter that they sent to Artaxerxes, the king. [From] your servants, the men of this side of the river, at [this] time.

The king [should know] that the Jews [who] came up from you to us [have gone into] Jerusalem [& are] building the rebellious & bad city & have [put] up [its] walls & joined the foundations.

The king [should also know] now that, if this city [is rebuilt] & the walls [are put] up again, then they won’t pay toll, [a.k.a. taxes,] tribute, or [customs, a.k.a. taxes on imports,] & so you shall [threaten ] the revenue of the kings.

[Since,] we [receive support] from the king’s palace, it wasn’t [proper] for us to see the king [dishonored, so] we have sent & [informed] the king.

That [a] search may be made in book of the records of your [forefathers,] you shall find & know that this city is a rebellious city & [troublesome] to kings & provinces & they have [incited the people to rebel, like in the past,] which [caused] this city [to be] destroyed.

We [testify to] the king that, if this city [is rebuilt] & the walls [are restored,] you shall have [no control] on this side of the river. Then, the king [returned] an answer to Rehum, the [chief director of state,] to Shimshai, the scribe & the rest of their companions [who live] in Samaria & to the rest beyond the [Euphrates] River.

Peace [& so on.] The letter, [that] you sent to us has been read plainly [in front of] me. And I commanded & a search has been made & it is found that this city [in the past] has [revolted] against kings & that rebellion & [inciting riots] have been made [there.]

Also, there have been mighty kings over Jerusalem, [who] ruled over all [the] countries beyond the river & [taxes,] tribute & [taxes on imports were] paid to them. Now, give the [command] that these men [stop rebuilding] this city, until [I shall give] another [command.]

Now, [pay attention] & don’t fail to do this. Why should [this threat increase] & [harm] the kings?

Now, when the copy of king Artaxerxes’ letter was read [in front of] Rehum, Shimshai & their companions, they [hurried] & went up to the Jews [in] Jerusalem & made them [stop] by force & power. Then, the work [on] the house of God [stopped] in Jerusalem [until] the 2nd year Darius, [Persia’s] king [ruled.]

Ezra 3:1-13 Those Who Return from Babylon Unite Together as One

 

Those Who Return from Babylon Unite Together as One

Ezra 3:1-13                                    The Book of Ezra in [Smaller Chunks]

When the 7th month [came] the children [people] of Israel were in the cities. The people gathered themselves together [united] [like] one man [in] Jerusalem.

Then, Jeshua, [a.k.a. Joshua, Jozadak’s] son & his brethren, the priests & Zerubbabel, [Shealtiel’s] son & his brethren, stood up & [rebuilt] the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings [on it,] as it is written in the Law of Moses, the man of God. They [put] the altar on [its base.]

For fear [respect] was upon them, because of the people of [the other] countries & they offered burnt offerings [on it] to the Lord, even [every] morning & evening. They also kept the Feast of the Tabernacles, as it is written. [They] offered [the] required number [of] daily burnt offerings, according to the custom [for each] day.

And afterward, they offered the continual burnt [offerings,] both of the New Moons & all the [appointed sacred] feasts of the Lord, that were consecrated & [from] everyone [who] willingly offered a freewill offering to the Lord.

From the 1st day of the 7th month, they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord. But the foundation of the [Lord’s] temple, [hadn’t] been laid yet.

They also gave money, food, [drinks] & oil to the masons & carpenters of Zidon & Tyre to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the Sea of Joppa, according to the [contract] they had [from] Cyrus, [Persia’s] king.

Now in the 2nd year, 2nd month, of their coming to [God’s] house in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel, [Shealtiel’s] son & Jeshua, [Jozadak’s] son, & [the remaining] of their brethren [of] the priests & the Levites & all [those who had] come out of captivity to Jerusalem, began & appointed the Levites, 20 years & older, to [supervise & to move] forward the work in the [Lord God’s] house.

Then, Jeshua stood with his sons & his brethren, Kadmiel & his sons & the sons of Judah, together to [move] forward the workmen of [God’s] house: [who were] the sons of Henadad, with their sons & their brethren [of] the Levites.

And when the builders laid the foundation of the [Lord’s] house, they [put] the priests [wearing] their [priestly clothes, along] with trumpets & the Levites, [Asaph’s descendants had] cymbals to praise the Lord, [as ordered by] king David of Israel.

And they sang together by [divisions] in praising & giving thanks to the Lord, because He is good & His mercy endures forever toward Israel. And all the people shouted [loudly,] when they praised the Lord, because the foundation [was] laid for the [Lord’s] house.

But many of the priests, Levites & [elderly leaders of] the [forefathers’ families, who] had seen the 1st [temple] wept with a loud voice & shouted aloud when the foundation of this [temple] was laid before their eyes. And many shouted aloud for joy.

The people [couldn’t distinguish between] the noise of the [shouts] of joy & the noise of the weeping of the people. For the people [shouted so loudly, it] was heard [far away.]