multitude from man to woman, and to all the priests, to hear law in the first day of the seventh month.
[41]
And he read in the broad court before the holy porch from morning unto midday, before both men and
women; and the multitude gave heed unto the law.
[42] And Esdras the priest and reader of the law stood
up upon a pulpit of wood, which was made for that purpose.
[43] And there stood up by him Mattathias,
Sammus, Ananias, Azarias, Urias, Ezecias, Balasamus, upon the right hand:
[44] And upon his left hand
stood Phaldaius, Misael, Melchias, Lothasubus, and Nabarias.
[45] Then took Esdras the book of the
law before the multitude: for he sat honourably in the first place in the sight of them all.
[46] And when
he opened the law, they stood all straight up. So Esdras blessed the Lord God most High, the God of
hosts, Almighty.
[47] And all the people answered, Amen; and lifting up their hands they fell to the ground,
and worshipped the Lord.
[48] Also Jesus, Anus, Sarabias, Adinus, Jacubus, Sabateas, Auteas, Maianeas,
and Calitas, Asrias, and Joazabdus, and Ananias, Biatas, the Levites, taught the law of the Lord, making
them withal to understand it.
[49] Then spake Attharates unto Esdras the chief priest. and reader, and
to the Levites that taught the multitude, even to all, saying,
[50] This day is holy unto the Lord; (for they
all wept when they heard the law:)
[51] Go then, and eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send part
to them that have nothing;
[52] For this day is holy unto the Lord: and be not sorrowful; for the Lord will
bring you to honour.
[53] So the Levites published all things to the people, saying, This day is holy to the
Lord; be not sorrowful.
[54] Then went they their way, every one to eat and drink, and make merry, and
to give part to them that had nothing, and to make great cheer;
[55] Because they understood the words
wherein they were instructed, and for the which they had been assembled.