²⁸ These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never fail to be celebrated by the Jews—nor should the memory of these days die out among their descendants.

¹³ Then he said to me, “The north^(A) and south rooms^(B) facing the temple courtyard^(C) are the priests’ rooms, where the priests who approach the Lord will eat the most holy offerings. There they will put the most holy offerings—the grain offerings,^(D) the sin offerings^[a](E) and the guilt offerings^(F)—for the place is holy.^(G)

⁸ But require them to make the same number of bricks as before; don’t reduce the quota.^(A) They are lazy;^(B) that is why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’^(C)

⁴ Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers^(A) who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries^(B) of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.^(C)

² Then Shekaniah son of Jehiel, one of the descendants of Elam,^(A) said to Ezra, “We have been unfaithful^(B) to our God by marrying foreign women from the peoples around us. But in spite of this, there is still hope for Israel.^(C)

¹³ No temptation^[a] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful;^(A) he will not let you be tempted^[b] beyond what you can bear.^(B) But when you are tempted,^[c] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

³¹ “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”