They sang antiphonally to praise and thank the Lord: Truly, he is good, because his mercy toward Israel endures forever. All the people shouted loud praise to the Lord when the foundation of the House of the Lord was laid.

Now, for a short time, mercy has been shown to us from the Lord our God, in order to leave us a remnant that has escaped and to give us a stake in his Holy Place, so that our God may give light to our eyes and give us a little relief in our slavery,