The Temple Restored.—Story of Job.

JOD stirred up Cyrus, Persia's king,
Whilst Judah captive lay,

The ruined temple to restore,
That they might kneel and pray.

To old Jerusalem with joy

The happy Jews returned,

And, whilst they raised the ruined walls,
Their hearts within them burned.

Once more God's holy altar stands
Where Solomon had prayed,
And there the priest uplifts his hands,
In Aaron's robes arrayed.

In all the East was none like Job
For goodness and for wealth,

But Satan tempted him to sin
By loss of goods and health.

Yet Job sinned not in word or heart,
But rested still on God,

Bowing submissively beneath

His Maker's chastening rod.

Like him may we, when sorrow comes,

On God submissive rest,

And say,

"The Lord who gave, He takes:

May the Lord's name be blessed."

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CHAPTER XXXIV.

The Rebuilding of the Temple. The Story of Job.

OW in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia: The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and He hath charged me to build Him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all His people? His God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel; (He is the God) which is in Jerusalem.

Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem. And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, besides all that was willingly offered. Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the Lord,

which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods. And the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away unto Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and who came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one to his city, were forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore, besides their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven. And they gathered themselves as one man to Jerusalem, and set up the altar, and offered burnt offerings, and kept the feast of tabernacles. But the foundation of the temple of the Lord was not yet laid. Then they gave money to the masons, and carpenters, and had cedar trees brought from Lebanon, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia. And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the Lord, after the ordinance of David king of Israel. And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord; because He is good, for His mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice, and many

shouted aloud for joy. So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off. But the temple was not finished till the sixth year of the reign of Darius king of Persia. And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy, and offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.

THE STORY OF JOB.

THERE was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and would not do evil. And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. He had also seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses; and very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered My

servant Job; that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth* evil?

Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not Thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth Thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse Thee to Thy face.

And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.

And there was a day when Job's sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house. And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were ploughing, and the asses feeding beside them; and the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain

*Will have nothing to do with.