Nehemiah 8:4-6

Expanded Bible

⁴ Ezra the ·teacher [scribe] stood on a high ·wooden platform [dais; ^Ltower of wood; 2 Chr. 6:13] that had been built just for this ·time [occasion; purpose]. On his right were Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah. And on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.

⁵ Ezra opened the ·book [scroll] ·in full view [^Lto the eyes] of everyone, because he was above them. As he opened it, all the people stood up [^Ca sign of respect; Judg. 3:20; Job 29:8; Ezek. 2:1]. ⁶ Ezra ·praised [blessed] the Lord, the great God, and all the people ·held up [lifted] their hands [Ezra 9:5; Ps. 28:2; 134:2] and said, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed ·down [low] and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.