kept the dedication of this house of God with joy. And they offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve hegoats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.

And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month. And the children of Israel who were returned out of the captivity, and all that separated themselves unto them from the uncleanness of the nations of the land to seek Jehovah, the God of Israel, ate, and kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy; for Jehovah had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hand in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

A PSALM OF DEDICATION.

(HOSANNA.)

Give thanks to Jehovah, for He is good; (Chorus.) For His love is everlasting. Now let Israel say:

(Chorus.) His love is everlasting.

Let the house of Aaron say:
(Chorus.) His love is everlasting.
Let them that fear Jehovah say:
(Chorus.) His love is everlasting.

Out of my straits I called upon Jah;
Jah answered and set me at large.
Jehovah is mine, I fear not;
What can man do unto me?
Jehovah is for me a helper,
And I shall gaze on my foes.

A PSALM of dediCATION.

(Chorus.) To confide in Jehovah is better
Than trust in man.

To confide in Jehovah is better
Than trust in princes.

All nations have surrounded me;

81

(Chorus.) By the name of Jehovah, but I will destroy them!

Surrounded, yea, surrounded me;

(Chorus.) By the name of Jehovah, but I will destroy them!

Surrounded me like bees,

Are quenched like a fire of thorns;

(Chorus.) By the name of Jehovah, but I will destroy

them !

Thrust sore hast thou to make me fall

Jehovah hath holpen me,

My strength and song is Jah;

He is become my salvation.

(A shout of joy and victory in the tents of the righteous :) (Chorus.) Jehovah's right hand winneth victory!

Jehovah's right hand is exalted!

Jehovah's right hand winneth victory!

I shall not die, but live,

And tell forth the deeds of Jah.

Though Jah chasten me sore,

He giveth me not unto death.

(Summons.) Throw wide the righteous gates

I will enter, will glorify Jah.

(Answer.) This is Jehovah's gate,

The righteous shall enter in.

I thank Thee, for Thou hast heard me,
And art become my salvation.

The stone which the builders rejected
Is now become the cap-stone.
This hath come from Jehovah ;

It is marvellous in our eyes.

This is the day Jehovah made,
Let us rejoice and be glad therein.

(People.) O Jehovah, save Thou now!

O Jehovah, bless Thou now!

(Priests.) Blessed be he that cometh in Jehovah's name; We bless you from Jehovah's house.

Jehovah is God who gave us light;

(Bind the victim with cords at the horns of the altar.)

My God art Thou, I give Thee thanks,

My God, I will exalt Thee.

Give thanks to Jehovah, for He is good (Chorus.) For His love is everlasting.

CHAPTER VIII.

MALACHI, i.-iv.

MALACHI, MY MESSENGER.

Offering of Blemished Offerings-Not a Service of Love-Priestly Formalism-True Function of Levi-Perversion of PrivilegeHeathen Marriages-Divorce Denounced-The Day of Jehovah -Punishment of Sin-Cheating God-Reward of True Service -Appearance of Scepticism-The Faithful-Judgment and Redemption-Repentance Precedes Redemption-The Law of

Moses.

(Now it came to pass after many days that the priests ministered unworthily in the temple of Jehovah, and the people were slack in their offerings, and men said, There is no God, or, The day of Jehovah cometh not. Then Jehovah raised up another prophet, and sent him with a message unto His people, saying :)

A son honoreth his father, and a slave his lord. If then I be Father, where is Mine honor? and if I be Lord, where is My fear? saith Jehovah of Hosts unto you, O priests that despise My name.

If ye say, Wherein have we despised Thy name?
By offering polluted food upon Mine altar.

If ye say, Wherein have we polluted Thee?

In that ye said, The table of Jehovah may be despised; and that, though ye offer the blind for sacrifice, it is no evil; and, though ye offer the lame and sick, it is no evil. Present such unto thy governor; will he be kind to

thee? or will he show thee favor? saith Jehovah of Hosts. And now (ye say,) Intreat God that He may be gracious unto us. This have ye done; will He show favor to any among you? saith Jehovah of Hosts.

O that there were one among you that would shut the (temple) doors, that ye might not kindle Mine altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, saith Jehovah of Hosts, neither will I accept an offering from you. For from the rising of the sun even unto its going down My name is great among the nations, and in every place incense is offered unto My name, and a pure offering; for My name is great among the nations, saith Jehovah of Hosts. But ye profane it, in that ye say, The table of Jehovah may be polluted, and His food may be despised. And ye say, See, how wearisome! while ye kindle the altar fire, saith Jehovah of Hosts; and ye offer that which was torn by beasts, and the lame, and the sick. When ye present an offering, shall I accept it of you? saith Jehovah. And cursed be the deceiver who having in his flock a male, and making a vow, sacrificeth unto Jehovah a blemished thing. For I am a great king, saith Jehovah of Hosts, and My name is terrible among the nations.

(And because the priests served Jehovah with outward forms, but their hearts were not true toward Him, spake the prophet, saying:)

And now, ye priests, this commandment is for you. If ye will not hear, neither lay it to heart, to give glory unto My name, saith Jehovah of Hosts, then will I send upon you the curse, and curse your blessings,—yea, I have cursed them, because ye do not lay it to heart. Behold, I rebuke your arm, and spread dung upon your faces, the dung of your festival sacrifices; that ye may know that I sent unto you this commandment, that