1
Then Ezra went from the court of the Temple into the living quarters of Jehohanan son of Eliashib
2
and spent the night there grieving over the people's terrible violation of the Law. He did not eat or drink anything.
3
A message was sent throughout Jerusalem and Judah, calling all those who had returned from exile to meet in Jerusalem,
4
by order of the leaders of the people. If anyone failed to come within two or three days, his cattle would be confiscated, and he would lose his right to be a member of the community.
5
Within the three days, on the twentieth day of the ninth month, all the men of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin came to Jerusalem
6
and assembled in the Temple square. Everyone was shivering from the cold because it was wintertime.