1 all the people gathered together 8:1 Ezr 3:1 at the square in front of the Water Gate. 8:1 Neh 3:26; 8:16 They asked the scribe Ezra 8:1 Ezr 7:6,11–12; Neh 8:9,13 to bring the book of the law of Moses 8:1 2Ch 34:14; Neh 8:7–9,13–14,18 that the Lord had given Israel. 2 On the first day of the seventh month, 8:2 Lv 23:23; Nm 29:1–6; Neh 6:15 the priest Ezra 8:2 Ezr 7:1–5 brought the law 8:2 Neh 8:7,18 before the assembly of men, women, and all who could listen with understanding. 3 While he was facing the square in front of the Water Gate, 8:3 Neh 3:26 he read out of it from daybreak until noon before the men, the women, and those who could understand. All the people listened attentively 8:3 Lit The ears of all the people listened to the book of the law. 8:3 Dt 28:61; 2Ch 17:9; 25:4; 34:14–15
8 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. 9 Nehemiah the governor, 8:9 Neh 5:14–15 Ezra the priest and scribe, 8:9 Ezr 7:1–6 and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all of them, "This day 8:9 Nm 29:1–6 is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep." 8:9 Ezr 3:12–13; 10:1,6 For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law.