Hezekiah Celebrates the Passover

30 Hezekiah sent word to all Israel^(A) and Judah and also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh,^(B) inviting them to come to the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem and celebrate the Passover^(C) to the Lord, the God of Israel. ² The king and his officials and the whole assembly in Jerusalem decided to celebrate^(D) the Passover in the second month. ³ They had not been able to celebrate it at the regular time because not enough priests had consecrated^(E) themselves and the people had not assembled in Jerusalem. ⁴ The plan seemed right both to the king and to the whole assembly. ⁵ They decided to send a proclamation throughout Israel, from Beersheba to Dan,^(F) calling the people to come to Jerusalem and celebrate the Passover to the Lord, the God of Israel. It had not been celebrated in large numbers according to what was written.

⁶ At the king’s command, couriers went throughout Israel and Judah with letters from the king and from his officials, which read:

¹⁰ The couriers went from town to town in Ephraim and Manasseh, as far as Zebulun, but people scorned and ridiculed^(O) them. ¹¹ Nevertheless, some from Asher, Manasseh and Zebulun humbled^(P) themselves and went to Jerusalem.^{(Q) 12} Also in Judah the hand of God was on the people to give them unity^(R) of mind to carry out what the king and his officials had ordered, following the word of the Lord.

¹³ A very large crowd of people assembled in Jerusalem to celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread^(S) in the second month. ¹⁴ They removed the altars^(T) in Jerusalem and cleared away the incense altars and threw them into the Kidron Valley.^(U)

¹⁵ They slaughtered the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the second month. The priests and the Levites were ashamed and consecrated^(V) themselves and brought burnt offerings to the temple of the Lord. ¹⁶ Then they took up their regular positions^(W) as prescribed in the Law of Moses the man of God. The priests splashed against the altar the blood handed to them by the Levites. ¹⁷ Since many in the crowd had not consecrated themselves, the Levites had to kill^(X) the Passover lambs for all those who were not ceremonially clean and could not consecrate their lambs^[a] to the Lord. ¹⁸ Although most of the many people who came from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun had not purified themselves,^(Y) yet they ate the Passover, contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “May the Lord, who is good, pardon everyone ¹⁹ who sets their heart on seeking God—the Lord, the God of their ancestors—even if they are not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary.” ²⁰ And the Lord heard^(Z) Hezekiah and healed^(AA) the people.^(AB)

²¹ The Israelites who were present in Jerusalem celebrated the Festival of Unleavened Bread^(AC) for seven days with great rejoicing, while the Levites and priests praised the Lord every day with resounding instruments dedicated to the Lord.^[b]

²² Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites, who showed good understanding of the service of the Lord. For the seven days they ate their assigned portion and offered fellowship offerings and praised^[c] the Lord, the God of their ancestors.

²³ The whole assembly then agreed to celebrate^(AD) the festival seven more days; so for another seven days they celebrated joyfully. ²⁴ Hezekiah king of Judah provided^(AE) a thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep and goats for the assembly, and the officials provided them with a thousand bulls and ten thousand sheep and goats. A great number of priests consecrated themselves. ²⁵ The entire assembly of Judah rejoiced, along with the priests and Levites and all who had assembled from Israel^(AF), including the foreigners who had come from Israel and also those who resided in Judah. ²⁶ There was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the days of Solomon^(AG) son of David king of Israel there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem. ²⁷ The priests and the Levites stood to bless^(AH) the people, and God heard them, for their prayer reached heaven, his holy dwelling place.

The Writing on the Wall

5 King Belshazzar^(A) gave a great banquet^(B) for a thousand of his nobles^(C) and drank wine with them. ² While Belshazzar was drinking^(D) his wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver goblets^(E) that Nebuchadnezzar his father^[a] had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines^(F) might drink from them.^{(G) 3} So they brought in the gold goblets that had been taken from the temple of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines drank from them. ⁴ As they drank the wine, they praised the gods^(H) of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone.^(I)

⁵ Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. The king watched the hand as it wrote. ⁶ His face turned pale^(J) and he was so frightened^(K) that his legs became weak^(L) and his knees were knocking.^(M)

⁷ The king summoned the enchanters,^(N) astrologers^[b](O) and diviners.^(P) Then he said to these wise^(Q) men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing and tells me what it means will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around his neck,^(R) and he will be made the third^(S) highest ruler in the kingdom.”^(T)

⁸ Then all the king’s wise men^(U) came in, but they could not read the writing or tell the king what it meant.^{(V) 9} So King Belshazzar became even more terrified^(W) and his face grew more pale. His nobles were baffled.

¹⁰ The queen,^[c] hearing the voices of the king and his nobles, came into the banquet hall. “May the king live forever!”^(X) she said. “Don’t be alarmed! Don’t look so pale! ¹¹ There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods^(Y) in him. In the time of your father he was found to have insight and intelligence and wisdom^(Z) like that of the gods.^(AA) Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners.^{(AB) 12} He did this because Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar,^(AC) was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles^(AD) and solve difficult problems.^(AE) Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means.^(AF)”

¹³ So Daniel was brought before the king, and the king said to him, “Are you Daniel, one of the exiles my father the king brought from Judah?^{(AG) 14} I have heard that the spirit of the gods^(AH) is in you and that you have insight, intelligence and outstanding wisdom.^{(AI) 15} The wise men and enchanters were brought before me to read this writing and tell me what it means, but they could not explain it.^{(AJ) 16} Now I have heard that you are able to give interpretations and to solve difficult problems.^(AK) If you can read this writing and tell me what it means, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck,^(AL) and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”^(AM)

¹⁷ Then Daniel answered the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else.^(AN) Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means.

¹⁸ “Your Majesty, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar^(AO) sovereignty and greatness and glory and splendor.^{(AP) 19} Because of the high position he gave him, all the nations and peoples of every language dreaded and feared him. Those the king wanted to put to death, he put to death;^(AQ) those he wanted to spare, he spared; those he wanted to promote, he promoted; and those he wanted to humble, he humbled.^{(AR) 20} But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride,^(AS) he was deposed from his royal throne^(AT) and stripped^(AU) of his glory.^{(AV) 21} He was driven away from people and given the mind of an animal; he lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like the ox; and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he acknowledged that the Most High God is sovereign^(AW) over all kingdoms on earth and sets over them anyone he wishes.^(AX)

²² “But you, Belshazzar, his son,^[d] have not humbled^(AY) yourself, though you knew all this. ²³ Instead, you have set yourself up against^(AZ) the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives^(BA) and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand.^(BB) But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life^(BC) and all your ways.^{(BD) 24} Therefore he sent the hand that wrote the inscription.

²⁵ “This is the inscription that was written:

²⁶ “Here is what these words mean:

²⁹ Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was clothed in purple, a gold chain was placed around his neck,^(BK) and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom.^(BL)

³⁰ That very night Belshazzar,^(BM) king^(BN) of the Babylonians,^[h] was slain,^{(BO) 31} and Darius^(BP) the Mede^(BQ) took over the kingdom, at the age of sixty-two.^[i]

Daniel in the Den of Lions

6 ^[j]It pleased Darius^(BR) to appoint 120 satraps^(BS) to rule throughout the kingdom, ² with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel.^(BT) The satraps were made accountable^(BU) to them so that the king might not suffer loss. ³ Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.^{(BV) 4} At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges^(BW) against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. ⁵ Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.”^(BX)

⁶ So these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said: “May King Darius live forever!^{(BY) 7} The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors^(BZ) have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den.^{(CA) 8} Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”^{(CB) 9} So King Darius put the decree in writing.

¹⁰ Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward^(CC) Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees^(CD) and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.^{(CE) 11} Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help.^{(CF) 12} So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?”

The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”^(CG)

¹³ Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah,^(CH) pays no attention^(CI) to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.” ¹⁴ When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed;^(CJ) he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.

¹⁵ Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, “Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.”^(CK)

¹⁶ So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den.^(CL) The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue^(CM) you!”

¹⁷ A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed^(CN) it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. ¹⁸ Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating^(CO) and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.^(CP)

¹⁹ At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. ²⁰ When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”^(CQ)

²¹ Daniel answered, “May the king live forever!^{(CR) 22} My God sent his angel,^(CS) and he shut the mouths of the lions.^(CT) They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight.^(CU) Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”

²³ The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound^(CV) was found on him, because he had trusted^(CW) in his God.

²⁴ At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den,^(CX) along with their wives and children.^(CY) And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.^(CZ)

²⁵ Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language^(DA) in all the earth:

²⁸ So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus^[k](DK) the Persian.^(DL)

23 Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin^(A) and said, “My brothers,^(B) I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience^(C) to this day.” ² At this the high priest Ananias^(D) ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth.^{(E) 3} Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall!^(F) You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!”^(G)

⁴ Those who were standing near Paul said, “How dare you insult God’s high priest!”

⁵ Paul replied, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’^[a]”^(H)

⁶ Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees^(I) and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers,^(J) I am a Pharisee,^(K) descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.”^{(L) 7} When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. ⁸ (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection,^(M) and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees believe all these things.)

⁹ There was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the law who were Pharisees^(N) stood up and argued vigorously. “We find nothing wrong with this man,”^(O) they said. “What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?”^{(P) 10} The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks.^(Q)

¹¹ The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage!^(R) As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”^(S)

The Plot to Kill Paul

¹² The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy^(T) and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.^{(U) 13} More than forty men were involved in this plot. ¹⁴ They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul.^{(V) 15} Now then, you and the Sanhedrin^(W) petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here.”

¹⁶ But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks^(X) and told Paul.

¹⁷ Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.” ¹⁸ So he took him to the commander.

The centurion said, “Paul, the prisoner,^(Y) sent for me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.”

¹⁹ The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, “What is it you want to tell me?”

²⁰ He said: “Some Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin^(Z) tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about him.^{(AA) 21} Don’t give in to them, because more than forty^(AB) of them are waiting in ambush for him. They have taken an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him.^(AC) They are ready now, waiting for your consent to their request.”

²² The commander dismissed the young man with this warning: “Don’t tell anyone that you have reported this to me.”

Paul Transferred to Caesarea

²³ Then he called two of his centurions and ordered them, “Get ready a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen^[b] to go to Caesarea^(AD) at nine tonight.^{(AE) 24} Provide horses for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix.”^(AF)

²⁵ He wrote a letter as follows:

³¹ So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul with them during the night and brought him as far as Antipatris. ³² The next day they let the cavalry^(AR) go on with him, while they returned to the barracks.^{(AS) 33} When the cavalry^(AT) arrived in Caesarea,^(AU) they delivered the letter to the governor^(AV) and handed Paul over to him. ³⁴ The governor read the letter and asked what province he was from. Learning that he was from Cilicia,^{(AW) 35} he said, “I will hear your case when your accusers^(AX) get here.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard^(AY) in Herod’s palace.

Paul’s Trial Before Felix

24 Five days later the high priest Ananias^(AZ) went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges^(BA) against Paul before the governor.^{(BB) 2} When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: “We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. ³ Everywhere and in every way, most excellent^(BC) Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. ⁴ But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly.

⁵ “We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots^(BD) among the Jews^(BE) all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene^(BF) sect^{(BG) 6} and even tried to desecrate the temple;^(BH) so we seized him. ^{[7] [c] 8} By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.”

⁹ The other Jews joined in the accusation,^(BI) asserting that these things were true.

¹⁰ When the governor^(BJ) motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: “I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense. ¹¹ You can easily verify that no more than twelve days^(BK) ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. ¹² My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple,^(BL) or stirring up a crowd^(BM) in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. ¹³ And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me.^{(BN) 14} However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors^(BO) as a follower of the Way,^(BP) which they call a sect.^(BQ) I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets,^{(BR) 15} and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection^(BS) of both the righteous and the wicked.^{(BT) 16} So I strive always to keep my conscience clear^(BU) before God and man.

¹⁷ “After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor^(BV) and to present offerings. ¹⁸ I was ceremonially clean^(BW) when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance.^{(BX) 19} But there are some Jews from the province of Asia,^(BY) who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me.^{(BZ) 20} Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin— ²¹ unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”^(CA)

²² Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way,^(CB) adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.” ²³ He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard^(CC) but to give him some freedom^(CD) and permit his friends to take care of his needs.^(CE)

²⁴ Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus.^{(CF) 25} As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control^(CG) and the judgment^(CH) to come, Felix was afraid^(CI) and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” ²⁶ At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.

²⁷ When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus,^(CJ) but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews,^(CK) he left Paul in prison.^(CL)