inward, and he descended, and came on the pavement of the altar. He turned
his face northward, and went eastward of the ascent about ten cubits. He
packed the coals on the pavement three hand-breadths distant from the
ascent, at the place where they put the crops of the fowls, and the ashes
of the inner altar, and of the candlestick.

Chapter II

1. His brethren saw him come down, and they came running to him. They
hastened and sanctified their hands and their feet from the laver. They
took the brushes and the forks, and went up to the top of the altar. The
members and the cauls(535) (of the sacrifices) which were not consumed
over night, they moved to the side of the altar. If the sides could not
contain them, they laid them out in a closet at the ascent.

2. They commenced to bring up the ashes to the top of the heap,(536) and
the heap was on the middle of the altar. Sometimes there was on it about
300 cors;(537) but in the holidays they did not clear away the ashes,
since they were an honor for the altar. Never was the priest lazy in
removing the ashes.

3. The priests began bringing up the fagots to arrange the fire of
preparation on the altar. "Was, then, all wood allowed for preparation?"
"Yes, all wood was allowed for the fire of preparation, except that of the
olive and that of the vine. But these they preferred--branches of the
fig-tree, of the nut, and of the pine."

4. The priests arranged the great fire of preparation eastward, and then
made an opening eastward, so that the heads of the inward fagots touched
the heap on the altar. And there was a division between the fagots, that
the priests might kindle the chips there.

5. The priest chose from the fagots the best figwood to arrange the second
fire of preparation for the incense opposite the western horn southward.
He prolonged it from the horn toward the north four cubits, reckoning for
five seahs(538) of live coals, and on the Sabbath he reckoned for eight
seahs of live coals. As they placed there the two cups of frankincense of
the showbread. The members and cauls (of the sacrifices) which were not
consumed by the fire overnight, were returned again by the priests to the
great fire of preparation. And they kindled both the preparations with
fire; and they came down, and entered into the chamber of hewn stone.(539)

Chapter III

1. The Captain of the Temple said to the priests, "come and cast lots."
"Who is to slaughter?" "Who is to