13 On the second day of the month, the heads of all the families, along with the priests and the Levites, gathered around Ezra the teacher to give attention to the words of the Law. 14 They found written in the Law, which the Lord had commanded through Moses, that the Israelites were to live in temporary shelters(A) during the festival of the seventh month 15 and that they should proclaim this word and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem: “Go out into the hill country and bring back branches from olive and wild olive trees, and from myrtles, palms and shade trees, to make temporary shelters”—as it is written.[a]

16 So the people went out and brought back branches and built themselves temporary shelters on their own roofs, in their courtyards, in the courts of the house of God and in the square by the Water Gate(B) and the one by the Gate of Ephraim.(C) 17 The whole company that had returned from exile built temporary shelters and lived in them.(D) From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated(E) it like this. And their joy was very great.

18 Day after day, from the first day to the last, Ezra read(F) from the Book of the Law(G) of God. They celebrated the festival for seven days, and on the eighth day, in accordance with the regulation,(H) there was an assembly.(I)

Read full chapter

Feast of Booths Restored

13 Then on the second day the heads of fathers’ households of all the people, the priests, and the Levites were gathered to Ezra the scribe so that they might gain insight into the words of the Law. 14 And they found written in the Law how the Lord had commanded through Moses that the sons of Israel (A)were to live in [a]booths during the feast of the seventh month. 15 (B)And that they were to proclaim and circulate a proclamation in all their cities and (C)in Jerusalem, saying, “(D)Go out to the hills, and bring olive branches and [b]wild olive branches, myrtle branches, palm branches, and branches of other trees with thick branches, to make booths, as it is written.” 16 So the people went out and brought them and made booths for themselves, each (E)on his roof, and in their courtyards and in the courtyards of the house of God, and in the public square at (F)the Water Gate, and in the square at (G)the Gate of Ephraim. 17 The entire assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in the booths. Indeed, the sons of Israel (H)had not done so since the days of Joshua the son of Nun to that day. And (I)there was very great rejoicing. 18 (J)He read from the Book of the Law of God daily, from the first day to the last day. And they (K)celebrated the feast seven days, and on (L)the eighth day there was a festive assembly in accordance with the ordinance.

Read full chapter