43
and they cleansed the sanctuary and removed the defiled stones to an unclean place.
44
They deliberated what to do about the altar of burnt offering, which had been profaned.
45
And they thought it best to tear it down, lest it bring reproach upon them, for the Gentiles had defiled it. So they tore down the altar,
46
and stored the stones in a convenient place on the temple hill until there should come a prophet to tell what to do with them.
47
Then they took unhewn stones, as the law directs, and built a new altar like the former one.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.