⁸ Ezra^[a] came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, during the seventh year of the king. ⁹ He began the journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month^(A) and arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month^(B) since the gracious hand of his God was on him.^{(C) 10} Now Ezra had determined in his heart to study the law of the Lord, obey it, and teach^(D) its statutes and ordinances in Israel.

8 all the people gathered together^(A) at the square in front of the Water Gate.^(B) They asked the scribe Ezra^(C) to bring the book of the law of Moses^(D) that the Lord had given Israel. ² On the first day of the seventh month,^(E) the priest Ezra^(F) brought the law^(G) 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,^(H) he read out of it from daybreak until noon before the men, the women, and those who could understand. All the people listened attentively^[a] to the book of the law.^{(I) 4} The scribe Ezra stood on a high wooden platform^(J) made for this purpose. Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah stood beside him on his right; to his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hash-baddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam. ⁵ Ezra opened the book in full view of all the people, since he was elevated above everyone. As he opened it, all the people stood up. ⁶ Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and with their hands uplifted^(K) all the people said, “Amen, Amen!” ^(L) Then they knelt low and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.^(M)

⁷ Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah,^(N) who were Levites,^[b](O) explained the law^(P) to the people as they stood in their places. 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,^(Q) Ezra the priest and scribe,^(R) and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all of them, “This day^(S) is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.”^(T) For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law. ¹⁰ Then he said to them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared,^(U) since today^(V) is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, because the joy of the Lord is your strength.”^{[c](W) 11} And the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still,^(X) since today^(Y) is holy. Don’t grieve.” ¹² Then all the people began to eat and drink, send portions, and have a great celebration,^(Z) because they had understood the words that were explained to them.

Festival of Shelters Observed

¹³ On the second day, the family heads of all the people, along with the priests and Levites,^(AA) assembled before the scribe Ezra^(AB) to study the words of the law. ¹⁴ They found written in the law how the Lord had commanded through Moses that the Israelites should dwell in shelters during the festival of the seventh month.^{(AC) 15} So they proclaimed and spread this news throughout their towns and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the hill country and bring back branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees to make shelters, just as it is written.”^{(AD) 16} The people went out, brought back branches, and made shelters for themselves on each of their rooftops^(AE) and courtyards, the court of the house of God, the square by the Water Gate,^(AF) and the square by the Ephraim Gate.^{(AG) 17} The whole community that had returned from exile^(AH) made shelters and lived in them. The Israelites had not celebrated like this from the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day.^(AI) And there was tremendous joy.^{(AJ) 18} Ezra^[d] read out of the book of the law of God^(AK) every day, from the first day to the last. The Israelites celebrated the festival for seven days, and on the eighth day there was a solemn assembly, according to the ordinance.^(AL)

Psalm 111

Praise for the Lord’s Works

In His Father’s House

⁴¹ Every year his parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival.^{(A) 42} When he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival.^{(B) 43} After those days were over,^(C) as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents^[a] did not know it. ⁴⁴ Assuming he was in the traveling party, they went a day’s journey. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. ⁴⁵ When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. ⁴⁶ After three days, they found him in the temple sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ And all those who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. ⁴⁸ When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him,^(D) “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”^(E)

⁴⁹ “Why were you searching for me?” he asked them. “Didn’t you know that it was necessary for me to be in my Father’s house?”^{[b] 50} But they did not understand what he said to them.^(F)

In Favor with God and with People

⁵¹ Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart.^{(G) 52} And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people.^(H)

An Approved Worker

¹⁴ Remind them of these things, and charge them before God^[a] not to fight about words.^(A) This is useless and leads to the ruin of those who listen. ¹⁵ Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.^{(B) 16} Avoid irreverent and empty speech, since those who engage in it will produce even more godlessness,^{(C) 17} and their teaching will spread like gangrene. Hymenaeus^(D) and Philetus are among them. ¹⁸ They have departed from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place,^(E) and are ruining the faith of some.^{(F) 19} Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, bearing this inscription:^(G) The Lord knows those who are his,^[b](H) and let everyone who calls on the name^(I) of^[c] the Lord turn away from wickedness.^(J)

¹² For the word of God is living and effective^(A) and sharper than any double-edged sword,^(B) penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.^(C)