⁴ So Ezra the scribe stood on a platform of wood which they had made for the purpose; and beside him, at his right hand, stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Urijah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah; and at his left hand Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam. ⁵ And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people ^(A)stood up. ⁶ And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God.

Then all the people ^(B)answered, “Amen, Amen!” while ^(C)lifting up their hands. And they ^(D)bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

⁷ Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, ^(E)helped the people to understand the Law; and the people ^(F)stood in their place. ⁸ So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.

The Way of the Righteous and the End of the Ungodly

² And ^(A)do not be conformed to this world, but ^(B)be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may ^(C)prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.