1
And all the people gathered themselves together as oneman into the street that was before the watergate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.
2
And Ezra the priestbrought the lawbefore the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the firstday of the seventhmonth.
3
And he read therein before the street that was before the watergate from the morning until midday*, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.
4
And Ezra the scribestood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stoodMattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand,Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana,Zechariah, and Meshullam.
6
And Ezrablessed the LORD, the greatGod. And all the peopleanswered, Amen,Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
7
Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah,Jamin,Akkub,Shabbethai,Hodijah,Maaseiah,Kelita,Azariah,Jozabad,Hanan,Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.
9
And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people,said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God;mourn not, nor weep. For all the peoplewept, when they heard the words of the law.