Ezra Reads the Law
1 And all the people gathered as one person at the public square which was in front of the Water Gate, and they 8:1 Lit said toasked Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses which the Lord had 8:1 Lit commandedgiven to Israel. 2 Then Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men, women, and all who could listen with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month. 3 And he read from it before the public square which was in front of the Water Gate, from 8:3 Lit the lightearly morning until midday, in the presence of men and women, those who could understand; and 8:3 Lit the ears of all...were toall the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. 8 They read from the book, from the Law of God, 8:8 Or explainingtranslating to give the sense so that they understood the reading.
This Day Is Holy
9 Then Nehemiah, who was the 8:9 Heb Tirshatha, a Persian titlegovernor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep." For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the Law.