Nehemiah 8:1-12

Nehemiah 8:1-12

[1] And all the people  gathered themselves together  as one  man  into the street  that was before  the water  gate;  and they spake  unto Ezra  the scribe  to bring  the book  of the law  of Moses,  which the LORD  had commanded  to Israel.  [2] And Ezra  the priest  brought  the law  before  the congregation  both of men  and women,  and all that could hear  with understanding,  upon the first  day  of the seventh  month.  [3] And he read  therein before  the street  that was before  the water  gate  from the morning  until midday,  and the women,  and those that could understand;  and the ears  of all the people  were attentive unto the book  of the law.  [4] And Ezra  the scribe  stood  upon a pulpit  of wood,  which they had made  for the purpose;  and beside  him stood  Mattithiah,  and Shema,  and Anaiah,  and Urijah,  and Hilkiah,  and Maaseiah,  on his right hand;  and on his left hand,  Pedaiah,  and Mishael,  and Malchiah,  and Hashum,  and Hashbadana,  Zechariah,  and Meshullam.  [5] And Ezra  opened  the book  in the sight  of all the people;  and when he opened  it, all the people  stood up:  [6] And Ezra  blessed  the LORD,  the great  God.  And all the people  answered,  Amen,  with lifting up  their hands:  and they bowed  their heads, and worshipped  the LORD  with their faces  to the ground.  [7] Also Jeshua,  and Bani,  and Sherebiah,  Jamin,  Akkub,  Shabbethai,  Hodijah,  Maaseiah,  Kelita,  Azariah,  Jozabad,  Hanan,  Pelaiah,  and the Levites,  caused the people  to understand  the law:  and the people  [8] So they read  in the book  in the law  of God  distinctly,  and gave  the sense,  and caused them to understand  the reading.  [9] And Nehemiah,  which is the Tirshatha,  and Ezra  the priest  the scribe,  and the Levites  that taught  the people,  said  unto all the people,  This day  is holy  unto the LORD  your God;  mourn  not, nor weep.  For all the people  wept,  when they heard  the words  of the law.  [10] Then he said  eat  the fat,  and drink  the sweet,  and send  portions  unto them for whom nothing is prepared:  for this day  is holy  neither be ye sorry;  for the joy  of the LORD  is your strength.  [11] So the Levites  stilled  all the people,  saying,  Hold your peace,  for the day  is holy;  neither be ye grieved.  [12] And all the people  to eat,  and to drink,  and to send  portions,  and to make  great  mirth,  because they had understood  the words  that were declared  unto them.