A reading from the book of Second Chronicles.

Now Solomon purposed to build a temple for the name of the Lord and a royal palace for himself.

And Solomon assigned 70,000 men to bear burdens and 80,000 to quarry in the hill country, and 3,600 to oversee them.

And Solomon sent word to Hiram, the King of Tyre.

As you dealt with David, my father, and sent him Cedar to build himself a house to dwell in,

so deal with me.

Behold, I am about to build a house for the name of the Lord my God, and dedicate it to

him for the burning of incense of sweet spices before him, and for the regular arrangement

of the showbread, and for burnt offerings morning and evening, on the Sabbaths and the

new moons and the appointed feasts of the Lord our God, as ordained forever for Israel.

The house that I am to build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods.

But who is able to build Him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain him.

Who am I to build a house for him, except as a place to make offerings before him?

So, now send me a man skilled to work in gold, silver, bronze, and iron,

and in purple crimson and blue fabrics, trained also in

engraving to be with the skilled workers who are with me in Judah and Jerusalem whom David

my father provided. Send me also cedar, cypress, and algam timber from Lebanon, for I know that

your servants know how to cut timber in Lebanon, and my servants

will be with your servants to prepare timber for me in abundance, for the house I am to build

will be great and wonderful. I will give for your servants the woodsmen who cut timber

20,000 cores of crushed wheat, 20,000

cores of barley, 20,000 baths of wine, and 20,000 baths of oil. Then Hiram, the King

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