17. May our God who gave up the immoral to death be praised in every way!
18. Since we are about to celebrate the cleansing of the temple on the twenty-fifth of Kislev, we thought it right to notify you so that you yourselves might also celebrate the Festival of Booths and Fire, when Nehemiah offered sacrifices after he had built the temple and the altar.
19. When our ancestors were taken as captives into Persia, the holy priests secretly took the fire of the altar and hid it in a dry pit. They were careful that no one knew the place.
20. Many years later, when it seemed good to God, Nehemiah, who was commissioned by the king of Persia, sent the descendants of the priests who had hidden the fire to retrieve it. After they explained to us that they didn’t find the fire, but rather a thick liquid, he ordered them to bring the liquid.
21. When they brought up the provisions for the sacrifice, Nehemiah commanded the priests to sprinkle the liquid on the wood and on the items lying there.
22. Some time after they did this, as the sun shone brightly from behind the clouds, a great fire flared up and astonished everyone.
23. While the sacrifices were burning, the priests prayed, the priests and all the people. Jonathan took the lead while the others, including Nehemiah, responded.
24. The prayer went like this:Lord, Lord God, creator of all,you are fearsome, mighty,just, and merciful.You are the only kingand only generous one.
25. You are the only provider,the only just, almighty, and eternal one.You save Israel from all evil.You chose the patriarchsand made them holy.