3. and tell the priest, “Long ago the Lord our God promised our ancestors that he would give us this land. And today, I thank him for keeping his promise and giving me a share of the land.”
4. The priest will take the basket and set it in front of the Lord's altar.
5. Then, standing there in front of the place of worship, you must pray:My ancestor was homeless,an Aramean who went to livein Egypt.There were only a fewin his family then,but they became greatand powerful,a nation of many people.
6. The Egyptians were crueland had no pity on us.They ill-treated our peopleand forced us into slavery.
7. We called out for helpto you, the Lord Godof our ancestors.You heard our cries;you knew we were in troubleand abused.
8. Then you terrified the Egyptianswith your mighty miraclesand rescued us from Egypt.
9. You brought us hereand gave us this landrich with milk and honey.
10. Now, Lord, I bring to youthe best of the cropsthat you have given me.After you say these things, place the basket in front of the Lord's altar and bow down to worship him.
11. Then you and your family must celebrate by eating a meal at the place of worship to thank the Lord your God for giving you such a good harvest. And remember to invite the Levites and the foreigners who live in your town.
12. Every year you are to give ten per cent of your harvest to the Lord. But every third year, this ten per cent must be given to the poor who live in your town, including Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows. That way, they will have enough to eat.
13. Then you must pray:Our Lord and our God, you have said that ten per cent of my harvest is sacred. I have obeyed your command and given this to the poor, including the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows.