NSB(i)
4 He assembled the priests and Levites in the square on the east side of the temple.
5 He said: »Listen to me, Levites. Perform the ceremonies to make the temple of Jehovah the God of your ancestors holy. Remove anything that has been corrupted from the holy place.
6 »Our ancestors were unfaithful and did what Jehovah our God considered evil. They deserted him. They turned away from Jehovah’s tent and turned their backs on him.
7 »They also shut the doors of the temple’s entrance hall. They extinguished the lamps, and did not burn incense or sacrifice burnt offerings in the holy place to the God of Israel.
8 »Jehovah was angry with Judah and Jerusalem. He made them something that shocks and terrifies people and that people ridicule, as you can see with your own eyes.
9 »Our fathers were killed in battle. Our sons, daughters, and wives are prisoners because of this.
10 »Now I intend to make a pledge to Jehovah the God of Israel so that he may turn his burning anger away from us.
11 »Do not be negligent, my sons. Jehovah has chosen you to stand in front of him, serve him, be his servants, and burn sacrifices.«