Study Desk

And all the people gathered as one person at the public square which was in front of ^(C1)the Water Gate, and they ^(F1)asked ^(C2)Ezra the scribe to bring ^(C3)the Book of the Law of Moses which the LORD had ^(F2)given to Israel.

Then ^(C1)Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men, women, and all who could listen with understanding, on ^(C2)the first day of the seventh month.

And he read from it before the public square which was in front of ^(C1)the Water Gate, from ^(F1)early morning until midday, in the presence of men and women, those who could understand; and ^(F2)all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.

Ezra the scribe stood at a wooden podium which they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right; and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam on his left.

Then Ezra opened ^(C1)the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people ^(C2)stood up.

Then Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, "^(C1)Amen, Amen!" with the raising of their hands; then ^(C2)they kneeled down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites explained the Law to the people while the people remained in their place.

They read from the book, from the Law of God, ^(F1)translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading.

Then Nehemiah, who was the ^(F1)(C1)governor, and Ezra ^(C2)the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "^(C3)This day is holy to the LORD your God; ^(C4)do not mourn or weep." For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the Law.

Then he said to them, "Go, eat the festival foods, drink the sweet drinks, and ^(C1)send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your ^(F1)refuge."

So the Levites silenced all the people, saying, "Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved."

Then all the people went away to eat, drink, ^(C1)to send portions, and to ^(F1)celebrate a great feast, ^(C2)because they understood the words which had been made known to them.