There were twelve statues of lions on the six steps, one lion at each end of each step. There was nothing like it in any other kingdom. ¹ 

He overlaid the temple’s rafters, thresholds, walls and doors with gold; he carved decorative cherubim on the walls.

There were six steps leading up to the throne, and a gold footstool was attached to the throne. ¹  The throne had two armrests with a statue of a lion standing on each side. ² 

There were twelve statues of lions on the six steps, one lion at each end of each step. There was nothing like it in any other kingdom. ¹ 

he tore down the altars and Asherah poles, demolished the idols, and smashed all the incense altars throughout the land of Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem.

“Yes, God is great – beyond our knowledge! ¹  The number of his years is unsearchable.

Tell us what we should ¹  say to him. We cannot prepare a case ²  because of the darkness.

For I hear what so many are saying, ¹  the terrifying news that comes from every direction. ²  When they plot together against me, they figure out how they can take my life.

His arms are like rods of gold set with chrysolite. His abdomen ¹  is like polished ivory inlaid with sapphires.

Therefore I will again do an amazing thing for these people – an absolutely extraordinary deed. ¹  Wise men will have nothing to say, the sages will have no explanations.” ² 

‘Call on me in prayer and I will answer you. I will show you great and mysterious ¹  things which you still do not know about.’

ז (Zayin) Her consecrated ones ¹  were brighter than snow, whiter than milk; their bodies more ruddy than corals, their hair ²  like lapis lazuli. ³ 

So I went in and looked. I noticed every figure ¹  of creeping thing and beast – detestable images ²  – and every idol of the house of Israel, engraved on the wall all around. ³ 

It was made with cherubim and decorative palm trees, with a palm tree between each cherub. Each cherub had two faces:

Now the wise men and ¹  astrologers were brought before me to read this writing and make known to me its interpretation. But they were unable to disclose the interpretation of the message.

While I, Daniel, was watching the vision, I sought to understand it. Now one who appeared to be a man was standing before me.

“But you, Daniel, close up these words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will dash about, ¹  and knowledge will increase.”

I, Daniel, watched as two others stood there, one on each side of the river. ¹ 

Go and learn what this saying means: ‘I want mercy and not sacrifice.’ ¹  For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Then ¹  Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “Listen carefully: ²  This child ³  is destined to be the cause of the falling and rising ⁴  of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be rejected. ⁵