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and fell face down on the ground. When the signal was given on the trumpets, everyone cried out to the Lord.
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Then Judas ordered some of his soldiers to attack the men in the fort, while he purified the Temple.
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He chose some priests who were qualified and who were devoted to the Law.
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They purified the Temple and took the stones that had been defiled and put them in an unclean place.
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They discussed what should be done with the altar of burnt offerings, which had been desecrated
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by the Gentiles, and decided to tear it down, so that it would not stand there as a monument to their shame. So they tore down the altar
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and put the stones in a suitable place on the Temple hill, where they were to be kept until a prophet should appear and decide what to do with them.
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Then they took uncut stones, as the Law of Moses required, and built a new altar like the old one.
1
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They repaired the Temple, inside and out, and dedicated its courtyards.
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They made new utensils for worship and brought the lampstand, the altar of incense, and the table for the bread into the Temple.
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They burned incense on the altar and lit the lamps on the lampstand, and there was light in the Temple!