3:12a But many of the older priests, Levites, and family heads who had seen the first temple

But many of the priests, the men of the clan of Levi, and heads/chiefs of extended families were old and had seen the first temple.
-or-
However many of the sacrificers and descendants of Levi and family/clan leaders ⌊were sad/grieved⌋. They were old enough to remember what the first house of God was like.

3:12b wept loudly when they saw the foundation of this temple.

They wept ⌊in/with sadness/sorrow⌋ when they saw the foundation of this temple.
-or-
They cried when they compared the foundation of this ⌊new⌋ house of God to the first one.

3:12c Still, many others shouted joyfully.

At the same time, many other people shouted in/with joy.
-or-
But as they were weeping, many other people were making a big noise because they were happy.

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