Jehoshaphat stood before the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the Lord’s temple, in front of the new courtyard.

All the men of Judah were standing before the Lord, along with their infants, wives, and children.

He posted guards at the gates of the Lord’s temple, so no one who was ceremonially unclean in any way could enter.

Stand in the sanctuary and, together with the Levites, represent the family divisions of your countrymen.

The sons of Hassenaah rebuilt the Fish Gate. They laid its beams and positioned its doors, its bolts, and its bars.

So we prayed to our God and stationed a guard to protect against them both day and night.

When the wall had been rebuilt and I had positioned the doors, and the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed,

Those truly of Israelite descent separated from all the foreigners, standing and confessing their sins and the iniquities of their ancestors.

We accept responsibility for fulfilling the commands to give one third of a shekel each year for the work of the temple of our God,

Then the two choirs that gave thanks took their stations in the temple of God. I did also, along with half the officials with me,

So I registered a complaint with the leaders, asking “Why is the temple of God neglected?” Then I gathered them and reassigned them to their positions.

So I purified them of everything foreign, and I assigned specific duties to the priests and the Levites.

The king’s attendants said to him, “It is Haman who is standing in the courtyard.” The king said, “Let him enter.”

When the king extended to Esther the gold scepter, she arose and stood before the king.

It stands still, but I cannot recognize its appearance; an image is before my eyes, and I hear a murmuring voice:

He leans against his house but it does not hold up, he takes hold of it but it does not stand.

And I have waited. But because they do not speak, because they stand there and answer no more,

The commands to fear the Lord are right and endure forever. The judgments given by the Lord are trustworthy and absolutely just.

O Lord, in your good favor you made me secure. Then you rejected me and I was terrified.

You are awesome! Yes, you! Who can withstand your intense anger?