42
He chose some priests who were qualified and who were devoted to the Law.
43
They purified the Temple and took the stones that had been defiled and put them in an unclean place.
44
They discussed what should be done with the altar of burnt offerings, which had been desecrated
45
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
46
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.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.