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N EH EMIA H 8
70 Some of the family leaders gave gifts for
the work. The governor gave to the treasury
1,000 gold coins,* 50 gold basins, and
530 robes for the priests. 71 The other leaders
gave to the treasury a total of 20,000 gold
coins* and some 2,750 pounds* of silver
for the work. 72 The rest of the people gave
20,000 gold coins, about 2,500 pounds* of
silver, and 67 robes for the priests.
73 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.
Ezra Reads the Law
In October,* when the Israelites had settled
in their towns, 8:1 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 Moses, which
the Lord had given for Israel to obey.
2 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. 3 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.
4 Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform that had been made for the occasion. To his
right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah,
Hilkiah, and Maaseiah. To his left stood Pedaiah,
8
• Celebration
NE H E MIA H 8 :1 0
Ezra and Nehemiah were serious, godly
leaders of the people. But the walls of
Jerusalem had been rebuilt, and many
of the exiles had returned. It was a time
to celebrate, for God had helped them
succeed. In thanksgiving and dedication,
the people went before God, listening
to his Word. During this time of joy and
gladness, feasting and festivities were
also in order; it was a holy party time!
The people remembered God, celebrating with thanks and praise. It was also
a time to dedicate themselves anew to
being the people of God. Include praise,
thanksgiving, feasting, and sharing in
your special days—religious holidays,
birthdays, anniversaries, or any celebration. Our lifestyle is to be one of
delight in the Lord our God.
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Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah,
Zechariah, and Meshullam. 5 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.
6 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.
7 The Levites—Jesh ua, Bani, Sherebi ah,
Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah,
Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah—
then instructed the people in the Law while
everyone remained in their places. 8 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.
9 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.
10 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!”
11 And the Levites, too, quieted the people,
telling them, “Hush! Don’t weep! For this is a sacred day.” 12 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.
The Festival of Shelters
13 On October 9* the family leaders of all the
people, together with the priests and Levites, met
with Ezra the scribe to go over the Law in greater
detail. 14 As they studied the Law, they discovered that the Lord had commanded through
Moses that the Israelites should live in shelters
during the festival to be held that month.* 15 He
had said that a proclamation should be made
throughout their towns and in Jerusalem, telling
the people to go to the hills to get branches from
olive, wild olive,* myrtle, palm, and other leafy
trees. They were to use these branches to make
7:70 Hebrew 1,000 darics of gold, about 19 pounds or
8.6 kilograms in weight. 7:71a Hebrew 20,000 darics of gold,
about 375 pounds or 170 kilograms in weight; also in 7:72.
7:71b Hebrew 2,200 minas [1,300 kilograms]. 7:72 Hebrew
2,000 minas [1,200 kilograms]. 7:73 Hebrew In the seventh
month. This month of the ancient Hebrew lunar calendar
occurred within the months of October and November 445 b.c.
8:2 Hebrew on the first day of the seventh month, of the ancient
Hebrew lunar calendar. This day was October 8, 445 b.c.;
also see note on 1:1. 8:10 Hebrew he. 8:13 Hebrew On the
second day, of the seventh month of the ancient Hebrew lunar
calendar. This day was October 9, 445 b.c.; also see notes on
1:1 and 8:2. 8:14 Hebrew in the seventh month. This month of
the ancient Hebrew lunar calendar usually occurs within the
months of September and October. See Lev 23:39-43. 8:15 Or
pine; Hebrew reads oil tree.