Ezra the teacher of the Law stood on a high wooden platform(A) built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam.

Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing(B) above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands(C) and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

The Levites(D)—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed(E) the people in the Law while the people were standing there. They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear[a] and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.

Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites(F) who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.”(G) For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.

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Footnotes

  1. Nehemiah 8:8 Or God, translating it

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