Study Desk

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¹all the people gathered together^(a) at the square in front of the Water Gate.^(b) They asked Ezra the scribe^(c) to bring the book of the law of Moses^(d) that the Lord had given Israel.

On the first day of the seventh month,^(e) Ezra the priest^(f) brought the law^(g) before the assembly of men, women, and all who could listen with understanding.

While he was facing the square in front of the Water Gate,^(h) he read out of it from daybreak until noon before the men, the women, and those who could understand. All the people listened attentively^[a] to the book of the law.⁽ⁱ⁾

Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform^(j) made for this purpose. Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah stood beside him on his right; to his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hash-baddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.

Ezra opened the book in full view of all the people, since he was elevated above everyone. As he opened it, all the people stood up.

Ezra praised the Lord , the great God, and with their hands uplifted^(k) all the people said, "Amen, Amen!"^(l) Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.^(m)

Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah,⁽ⁿ⁾ who were Levites,^[b](o) explained the law^(p) to the people as they stood in their places.

They read out of the book of the law of God, translating and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was read.

Nehemiah the governor,^(q) Ezra the priest and scribe,^(r) and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all of them, "This day^(s) is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep."^(t) For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law.

Then he said to them, "Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared,^(u) since today^(v) is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, because the joy of the Lord is your stronghold."^(w)

And the Levites quieted all the people, saying, "Be still,^(x) since today^(y) is holy. Do not grieve."

Then all the people began to eat and drink, send portions, and have a great celebration,^(z) because they had understood the words that were explained to them.