⁴⁰ The two choirs that gave thanks then took their places in the house of God; so did I, together with half the officials, ⁴¹ as well as the priests—Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah and Hananiah with their trumpets— ⁴² and also Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malkijah, Elam and Ezer. The choirs sang under the direction of Jezrahiah. ⁴³ And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.

⁴⁴ At that time men were appointed to be in charge of the storerooms^(A) for the contributions, firstfruits and tithes.^(B) From the fields around the towns they were to bring into the storerooms the portions required by the Law for the priests and the Levites, for Judah was pleased with the ministering priests and Levites.^{(C) 45} They performed the service of their God and the service of purification, as did also the musicians and gatekeepers, according to the commands of David^(D) and his son Solomon.^{(E) 46} For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph,^(F) there had been directors for the musicians and for the songs of praise^(G) and thanksgiving to God.

²⁵ Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!^(A)

So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law,^(B) but in my sinful nature^[a] a slave to the law of sin.^(C)

¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances;^(A) for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.