They decided to send a message all through Israel. It was sent out from Beersheba all the way to Dan. The message invited the people to come to Jerusalem. It invited them to celebrate the Passover Feast to honor the Lord, the God of Israel. The Passover Feast hadn’t been celebrated by large numbers of people for a long time. It hadn’t been done in keeping with what was written in the law.

于是定了命令，传遍以色列，从别是巴直到但，使他们都来，在耶路撒冷向耶和华以色列的神守逾越节；因为照所写的例，守这节的不多了。

于是他们下令，通告全以色列，从别是巴直到但，吩咐百姓都来，在耶路撒冷向耶和华—以色列的上帝守逾越节，因为他们已经许久没有照所写的守这节了。

于是他们下令，通告全以色列，从别是巴直到但，吩咐百姓都来，在耶路撒冷向耶和华—以色列的神守逾越节，因为他们已经许久没有照所写的守这节了。

于是，他们下令通告全以色列，从别示巴直到但，让人们到耶路撒冷向以色列的上帝耶和华守逾越节，因为人们不常照律例守这节期。

于是下了命令，通告全以色列，从别是巴直到但，叫人民来耶路撒冷守逾越节记念耶和华以色列的神，因为照着所记的定例举行这节的人不多。

於是定了命令，傳遍以色列，從別是巴直到但，使他們都來，在耶路撒冷向耶和華－以色列的神守逾越節；因為照所寫的例，守這節的不多了。

於是他們下令，通告全以色列，從別是巴直到但，吩咐百姓都來，在耶路撒冷向耶和華－以色列的上帝守逾越節，因為他們已經許久沒有照所寫的守這節了。

於是他們下令，通告全以色列，從別是巴直到但，吩咐百姓都來，在耶路撒冷向耶和華－以色列的神守逾越節，因為他們已經許久沒有照所寫的守這節了。

於是，他們下令通告全以色列，從別示巴直到但，讓人們到耶路撒冷向以色列的上帝耶和華守逾越節，因為人們不常照律例守這節期。

於是下了命令，通告全以色列，從別是巴直到但，叫人民來耶路撒冷守逾越節記念耶和華以色列的神，因為照著所記的定例舉行這節的人不多。

於是立下了命令，將布告傳達在全以色列，從別是巴直到但，叫人民都來、在耶路撒冷向永恆主以色列的上帝守逾越節，因為人民遵照所記載的例來守這節的並不多。

遂定命令、普告以色列、自別是巴至但、使至耶路撒冷、守逾越節、奉事以色列之上帝耶和華、蓋民素無多人、循所錄之例而守之、

年久民未循例守禮、故立志普告以色列族、自但及別是巴、使咸至耶路撒冷、守逾越節、奉事以色列族之上帝耶和華。

遂定命普告以色列、自別是巴至但、使至耶路撒冷、於主以色列之天主前守逾越節、蓋至此民循所錄之例、守逾越節者不甚多也、或作因民久未遵所綠之例守逾越節

They decided to send a proclamation throughout Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, 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.

So they decreed to make a proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, that the people should come and keep the Passover to the Lord, the God of Israel, at Jerusalem, for they had not kept it as often as prescribed.

So they sent a proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba in the south to Dan in the north, inviting everyone to come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover of the Lord, the God of Israel. The people had not been celebrating it in great numbers as required in the Law.

so they affirmed the proposal and spread the message throughout all Israel, from Beer-sheba to Dan, to come to observe the Passover of the LORD, the God of Israel in Jerusalem, for they hadn’t observed it often, as prescribed.

So they established a decree to circulate a proclamation throughout Israel from Beersheba to Dan, that they are to come to celebrate the Passover to the Lord God of Israel in Jerusalem. For they had not celebrated it in great numbers as was written.

So they resolved to make a proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, that they should come to keep the Passover to the Lord God of Israel at Jerusalem, since they had not done it for a long time in the prescribed manner.

So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beer- sheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto Jehovah, the God of Israel, at Jerusalem: for they had not kept it in great numbers in such sort as it is written.

so they affirmed the proposal and spread the message throughout all Israel, from Beer-sheba to Dan, to come to observe the Passover of Yahweh, the God of Israel in Jerusalem, for they hadn’t observed it often, as prescribed.

So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done[ it] of a long[ time in such sort] as it was written.

So they sent an edict throughout Israel from Beer Sheba to Dan, summoning the people to come and observe a Passover for the LORD God of Israel in Jerusalem, for they had not observed it on a nationwide scale as prescribed in the law.

So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the Passover to Yahweh, the God of Israel, at Jerusalem, for they had not kept it in great numbers in the way it is written.

Then all the Israelites came out. They came from the whole land between Dan and Beersheba. They also came from the land of Gilead. All of them gathered together in front of the Lord at Mizpah.

Be sure you do everything I am commanding you to do. Do not add anything to my commands. And do not take anything away from them.

Then a message went out in Judah and Jerusalem. It said that the people should bring the tax to the Lord. God’s servant Moses had required Israel to pay that tax when they were in the desert.

Here is what I want you to do for the elders of the Jews. Here is how you must help them to build the house of their God. Pay all their expenses from the royal treasures. Use the money you collect from the people who live west of the Euphrates. Don’t let the work on the temple stop.Don’t fail to give the priests in Jerusalem what they ask for each day. Give them what they need. Give them young bulls, rams and male lambs. The priests can use them to sacrifice burnt offerings to the God of heaven. Also give them wheat, salt, wine and olive oil.Give them those things so they can offer sacrifices that please the God of heaven. And I want them to pray that things will go well for me and my sons.Don’t change this order. If anyone tries to change it, they must be put to death. A pole must be pulled from their house. The pole must be stuck through their body. Because that person tried to change my royal order, their house must be broken to pieces.God has chosen to put his Name in the temple at Jerusalem. May he wipe out any king or nation that lifts a hand to change this order. May he also wipe out anyone who tries to destroy the temple in Jerusalem. That’s what I have ordered. I am King Darius. Make sure you carry out my order.

Mordecai wrote down these events. He sent letters to all the Jews all through the territories of King Xerxes. It didn’t matter whether the Jews lived nearby or far away.Mordecai told them to celebrate the 14th and 15th days of the month of Adar. He wanted them to do it every year.

Now give the order. Write it down in the law of the Medes and Persians. Then it can’t be changed.”

It was the first year of the rule of Cyrus. He was king of Persia. The Lord inspired him to send a message all through his kingdom. It happened so that what the Lord had spoken through Jeremiah would come true. The message was written down. It said,

I praise you for being faithful in remembering me. I also praise you for staying true to the teachings of the past. You have stayed true to them, just as I gave them to you.

Now write another order in my name. Do it for the benefit of the Jews. Do what seems best to you. Stamp the order with my royal mark. Nothing that is written in my name and stamped with my mark can ever be changed.”Right away the king sent for the royal secretaries. It was the 23rd day of the third month. That was the month of Sivan. They wrote down all Mordecai’s orders to the Jews. They also wrote them to the royal officials, the governors and the nobles of the 127 territories in his kingdom. The territories reached from India all the way to Cush. The orders were written down in the writing of each territory. They were written in the language of each nation. They were also written to the Jews in their own writing and language.Mordecai wrote the orders in the name of King Xerxes. He stamped them with the king’s royal mark. He sent them by messengers on horseback. They rode fast horses that were raised just for the king.

“ Speak to the Israelites. Tell them,‘ Here are my appointed feast days. They are the appointed feast days of the Lord. Tell the people that they must come together for these sacred assemblies.

The king sent for the royal secretaries. It was the 13th day of the first month. The secretaries wrote down all Haman’s orders. They wrote them down in the writing of each territory in the kingdom. They also wrote them in the language of each nation. The orders were sent to the royal officials and to the governors of the territories. And the orders were also sent to the nobles of the nations. The orders were written in the name of King Xerxes himself. And they were stamped with his own official mark.They were carried by messengers. They were sent to all the king’s territories. The orders commanded people to destroy, kill and wipe out all the Jews. That included young people and old people alike. It included women and children. All the Jews were supposed to be killed on a single day. That day was the 13th day of the 12th month. It was the month of Adar. The orders also commanded people to take everything that belonged to the Jews.A copy of the order had to be sent out as law. It had to be sent to every territory in the kingdom. It had to be announced to the people of every nation. Then they would be ready for that day.The king commanded the messengers to go out. So they did. The order was sent out from the fort of Susa. Then the king and Haman sat down to drink wine. But the people in the city were bewildered.

I, King Nebuchadnezzar, am writing this letter. I am sending it to people who live all over the world. I’m sending it to people of every nation no matter what language they speak. May you have great success!I am pleased to tell you what has happened. The Most High God has done miraculous signs and wonders for me.His signs are great. His wonders are mighty. His kingdom will last forever. His rule will never end.I was at home in my palace. I was content and very successful.But I had a dream that made me afraid. I was lying in bed. Then dreams and visions passed through my mind. They terrified me.So I commanded that all the wise men in Babylon be brought to me. I wanted them to tell me what my dream meant.Those who try to figure things out by using magic came. So did those who study the heavens. I told all of them what I had dreamed. But they couldn’t tell me what it meant.Finally, Daniel came to me. He is called Belteshazzar, after the name of my god. The spirit of the holy gods is in him. I told him my dream.I said,“ Belteshazzar, you are chief of the magicians. I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you. No mystery is too hard for you to figure out. Here is my dream. Tell me what it means.Here are the visions I saw while I was lying in bed. I looked up and saw a tree standing in the middle of the land. It was very tall.It had grown to be large and strong. Its top touched the sky. It could be seen anywhere on earth.Its leaves were beautiful. It had a lot of fruit on it. It provided enough food for people and animals. Under the tree, the wild animals found safety. The birds lived in its branches. Every creature was fed from that tree.“ While I was still lying in bed, I looked up. In my visions, I saw a holy one. He was a messenger. He was coming down from heaven.He called out in a loud voice. He said,‘ Cut down the tree. Break off its branches. Strip off its leaves. Scatter its fruit. Let the animals under it run away. Let the birds in its branches fly off.But leave the stump with its roots in the ground. Let it stay in the field. Put a band of iron and bronze around it.“‘ Let King Nebuchadnezzar become wet with the dew of heaven. Let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth.Let him no longer have the mind of a man. Instead, let him be given the mind of an animal. Let him stay that way until seven periods of time pass by.“‘ The decision is announced by holy messengers. So all who are alive will know that the Most High God is King. He rules over all kingdoms on earth. He gives them to anyone he wants. Sometimes he puts the least important people in charge of them.’“ This is the dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now tell me what it means, Belteshazzar. None of the wise men in my kingdom can explain it to me. But you can. After all, the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”Daniel, who was also called Belteshazzar, was very bewildered for a while. His thoughts terrified him. So the king said,“ Belteshazzar, don’t let the dream or its meaning make you afraid.” Belteshazzar answered,“ My master, I wish the dream were about your enemies! I wish its meaning had to do with them!You saw a tree. It grew to be large and strong. Its top touched the sky. It could be seen from anywhere on earth.Its leaves were beautiful. It had a lot of fruit on it. It provided enough food for people and animals. Under the tree, the wild animals found safety. The birds lived in its branches.Your Majesty, you are that tree! You have become great and strong. Your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky. Your rule has spread to all parts of the earth.“ Your Majesty, you saw a holy one. He was a messenger. He came down from heaven. He said,‘ Cut down the tree. Destroy it. But leave the stump with its roots in the ground. Let it stay in the field. Put an iron and bronze band around it. Let King Nebuchadnezzar become wet with the dew of heaven. Let him live with the wild animals. Let him stay that way until seven periods of time pass by.’“ Your Majesty, here is what your dream means. The Most High God has given an order against you.You will be driven away from people. You will live with the wild animals. You will eat grass just as an ox does. You will become wet with the dew of heaven. Seven periods of time will pass by for you. Then you will recognize that the Most High God rules over all kingdoms on earth. He gives them to anyone he wants.But he gave a command to leave the stump of the tree along with its roots. That means your kingdom will be given back to you. It will happen when you recognize that the God of heaven rules.So, Your Majesty, I hope you will accept my advice. Stop being sinful. Do what is right. Give up your evil practices. Show kindness to those who are being treated badly. Then perhaps things will continue to go well with you.”All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar.It took place twelve months later. He was walking on the roof of his palace in Babylon.He said,“ Isn’t this the great Babylon I have built as a place for my royal palace? I used my mighty power to build it. It shows how glorious my majesty is.”He was still speaking when he heard a voice from heaven. It said,“ King Nebuchadnezzar, here is what has been ordered concerning you. Your royal authority has been taken from you.You will be driven away from people. You will live with the wild animals. You will eat grass just as an ox does. Seven periods of time will pass by for you. Then you will recognize that the Most High God rules over all kingdoms on earth. He gives them to anyone he wants.”What had been said about King Nebuchadnezzar came true at once. He was driven away from people. He ate grass just as an ox does. His body became wet with the dew of heaven. He stayed that way until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle. His nails became like the claws of a bird.

“‘ Here are the Lord’ s appointed feasts. Tell the people that they must come together for these sacred gatherings at their appointed times.

The Passover Feast hadn’t been observed like that in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet. None of the kings of Israel had ever celebrated a Passover Feast like Josiah’s. He celebrated it with the priests and Levites. All the people of Judah and Israel were there along with the people of Jerusalem. He celebrated it with them too.