Immerse: Chronicles Full Volume - Flipbook - Page 141
7:73–8:12
CHRONICLES–EZRA–NEHEMIAH
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So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the Temple
servants, and some of the common people settled near Jerusalem. The
rest of the people returned to their own towns throughout Israel.
In October, when the Israelites had settled in their towns, all the people
assembled with a unified purpose at the square just inside the Water Gate.
They asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of M
oses,
which the Lord had given for Israel to obey.
So on October 8 Ezra the priest brought the Book of the Law before the
assembly, which included the men and women and all the children old
enough to understand. He faced the square just inside the Water Gate from
early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand. All the people listened closely to the Book of the Law.
Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform that had been made
for the occasion. To his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hil
kiah, and Maaseiah. To his left stood Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum,
Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam. Ezra stood on the platform
in full view of all the people. When they saw him open the book, they all
rose to their feet.
Then Ezra praised the Lord, the great God, and all the people chanted,
“Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and
worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Ho
diah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah—then instructed the people in the Law while everyone remained in their places.
They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage.
Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or
weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the Lord your
God.” For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words
of the Law.
And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods
and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing
prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad,
for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”
And the Levites, too, quieted the people, telling them, “Hush! Don’t
weep! For this is a sacred day.” So the people went away to eat and drink at
a festive meal, to share gifts of food, and to celebrate with great joy because
they had heard God’s words and understood them.
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