And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the broad place that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which Jehovah had commanded to Israel.
And Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, both men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.
And he read therein before the broad place that was before the water gate {Hebrew: from the light.}from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women, and of those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.
And Ezra the scribe stood upon a {Hebrew: tower.}pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Uriah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchijah, and Hashum, and Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up.
And Ezra blessed Jehovah, the great God: and all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with the lifting up of their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped Jehovah with their faces to the ground.
Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.
And they read in the book, in the law of God, {Or, with an interpretation}distinctly; and they gave the sense, {Or, and caused them to understand}so that they understood the reading.
And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto Jehovah your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye grieved; for the joy of Jehovah is your {Or, stronghold}strength.
So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.
And all the people went their way 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.
And on the second day were gathered together the heads of fathers' houses of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to give attention to the words of the law.
And they found written in the law, how that Jehovah had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month;
and that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and branches of wild olive, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.
So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the broad place of the water gate, and in the broad place of the gate of Ephraim.
And all the assembly of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and dwelt in the booths; for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness.
Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a {Or, closing festival.}solemn assembly, according unto the ordinance.
Querverweise zu Nehemia 8,12 Neh 8,12
A Song of Ascents.When Jehovah brought back those that returned to Zion,We were like unto them that dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter,And our tongue with singing:Then said they among the nations,Jehovah hath done great things for them.
Jehovah hath done great things for us,Whereof we are glad.
Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.
And they read in the book, in the law of God, {Or, with an interpretation}distinctly; and they gave the sense, {Or, and caused them to understand}so that they understood the reading.
I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips;I have treasured up the words of his mouth {Or, more than my own law}more than my {Or, portion See Proverbs 30:8 }necessary food.
The precepts of Jehovah are right, rejoicing the heart:The commandment of Jehovah is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of Jehovah is clean, enduring for ever:The ordinances of Jehovah are true, and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold;Sweeter also than honey and the droppings of the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is thy servant warned:In keeping them there is great reward.
I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies,As much as in all riches.
I will delight myself in thy statutes:I will not forget thy word.
The law of thy mouth is better unto meThan thousands of gold and silver.
מ MEM.Oh how love I thy law!It is my meditation all the day.
How sweet are thy words unto my {Hebrew: palate.}taste!Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through thy precepts I get understanding:Therefore I hate every false way.
Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage for ever;For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
Therefore I love thy commandmentsAbove gold, yea, above fine gold.
The opening of thy words giveth light;It giveth understanding unto the simple.
Let my lips utter praise;For thou teachest me thy statutes.
I have longed for thy salvation, O Jehovah;And thy law is my delight.
For wisdom shall enter into thy heart,And knowledge shall be pleasant unto thy soul;
Discretion shall watch over thee;Understanding shall keep thee:
My son, eat thou honey, for it is good;And the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to thy taste:
So shalt thou know wisdom to be unto thy soul;If thou hast found it, then shall there be a reward,And thy hope shall not be cut off.
Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy words were unto me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart: for I am called by thy name, O Jehovah, God of hosts.
And they said one to another, Was not our heart burning within us, while he spake to us in the way, while he opened to us the scriptures?
For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me, but to {Greek: work.}do that which is good is not.