Ezra Reads the Law to the People

In the seventh month, all the people gather “as one man” in the square before the Water Gate and ask Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses. From morning until midday, Ezra reads before the men, the women, and all who can understand. From a platform of wood, he opens the book in the sight of all; the people answer, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands, then bow down with their faces to the ground. The Levites explain the law and give the sense of it. As they hear it, the people weep. Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites say, “the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Everyone goes off to eat, drink, and share with those who have nothing, because they understood. The next day, they discover the Feast of Tabernacles in the law and make themselves booths of branches: since the days of Joshua, nothing like it had been done.