So the leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem, while the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of every ten to settle in Jerusalem, the holy city, while the other nine remained in other cities.

Now the city was spread out and large, and there were not a lot of people in it. At that time houses had not been rebuilt.

“We – the priests, the Levites, and the people – have cast lots concerning the wood offerings, to bring them to the temple of our God according to our families at the designated times year by year to burn on the altar of the LORD our God, as is written in the law.

“But they – our ancestors – behaved presumptuously; they rebelled and did not obey your commandments.

The governor instructed them not to eat any of the sacred food until there was a priest who could consult the Urim and Thummim.