1   Ezra left the court of the temple and entered the room of the priest Joanan son of Eliasibus. 2   There he stayed, eating no food and drinking no water, while he mourned over the serious violations of the law by the community. 3   A proclamation was made throughout Judaea and in Jerusalem to all the returned exiles that they should assemble at Jerusalem; 4   those who failed to arrive within two or three days, according to the decision of the elders in office, were to have their

Ezra in Jerusalem cattle confiscated for temple use and would themselves be excluded from the community of the returned exiles.

5   Three days later all Judah and Benjamin had assembled in Jerusalem; the date was the twentieth of the ninth month. 6   They all sat together in the open space before the temple, shivering because winter had set in. 7   Ezra stood up and said to them: ‘You have broken the law and married alien wives, bringing a fresh burden of guilt on Israel. 8    9   Now make confession to the Lord God of our fathers; do his will and separate yourselves from the heathen population of this land and from your alien wives.’

10   The whole company answered with a shout: ‘We will do as you have said!’ 11   ‘But,’ they said, ‘our numbers are great, and we cannot stay here in the open in this wintry weather. Nor is this the work of a day or two only; the offence is widespread among us. 12   Let the leaders of the community stay here, and let all members of our settlements 13   who have alien wives attend at an appointed time along with the elders and judges of each place, until we turn away the Lord's anger at what has been done.’

14   Jonathan son of Azael and Hezekias son of Thocanus took charge on these terms, and Mosollamus, Levi, and Sabbataeus were their assessors. 15   The returned exiles duly carried all this out.

16   Ezra the priest selected men by name, all chiefs of their clans, and on the new moon of the tenth month they sat to investigate the matter. 17   This affair of the men who had alien wives was settled by the new moon of the first month.

18   Among the priests some of those who had come together were found to have alien wives; 19   these were Mathelas, Eleazar, Joribus, and Joadanus of the line of Jeshua son of Josedek and his brothers, 20   who undertook to send away their wives and to offer rams in expiation of their error. 21   Of the line of Emmer: Ananias, Zabdaeus, Manes, Samaeus, Jereel, and Azarias; 22   of the line of Phaesus: Elionas, Massias, Ishmael, Nathanael, Okidelus, and Saloas. 23   Of the Levites: Jozabadus, Semis, Colius (this is Calitas), Phathaeus, Judah, and Jonas. 24    25   Of the temple singers: Eliasibus, Bacchurus. Of the door-keepers: Sallumus and Tolbanes.

26   Of the people of Israel there were, of the line of Phoros: Jermas, Jeddias, Melchias, Maelus, Eleazar, Asibias, and Bannaeas. 27   Of the line of Ela: Matthanias, Zacharias, Jezrielus, Oabdius, Jeremoth, and Aedias. 28   Of the line of Zamoth: Eliadas, Eliasimus, Othonias,

Ezra in Jerusalem Jarimoth, Sabathus, and Zardaeas. 29   Of the line of Bebae: Joannes, Ananias, Ozabadus, and Emathis. 30   Of the line of Mani: Olamus, Mamuchus, Jedaeus, Jasubus, Asaelus, and Jeremoth. 31   Of the line of Addi: Naathus, Moossias, Laccunus, Naidus, Matthanias, Sesthel, Balnuus, and Manasseas. 32   Of the line of Annas: Elionas, Asaeas, Melchias, Sabbaeas, and Simon Chosomaeus. 33   Of the line of Asom: Altannaeus, Mattathias, Bannaeus, Eliphalat, Manasses, and Semi. 34   Of the line of Baani: Jeremias, Momdis, Ismaerus, Juel, Mandae, Paedias, Anos, Carabasion, Enasibus, Mamnitanaemus, Eliasis, Bannus, Eliali, Somis, Selemias, and Nathanias. Of the line of Ezora: Sessis, Ezril, Azael, Samatus, Zambris, and Josephus. 35   Of the line of Nooma: Mazitias, Zabadaeas, Edaes, Juel, and Banaeas. 36   All these had married alien wives; they sent them away with their children.

37   The priests, the Levites, and such Israelites as were in Jerusalem and its vicinity, settled down there on the new moon of the seventh month; the other Israelites remained in their settlements. 38   The entire body assembled as one in the open space before the east gateway of 39   the temple and asked Ezra the high priest and doctor of the law to bring the law of Moses given by the Lord God of Israel. 40   On the new moon of the seventh month he brought the law to all the multitude of men and women alike, and to the priests, for them to hear. 41   He read it in the open space before the temple gateway from daybreak until noon, in the presence of both men and women, and the whole body listened intently. 42   Ezra the priest and doctor of the law stood upon the wooden platform which had been prepared. 43   There stood with him, on his right, Mattathias, Sammus, Ananias, Azarias, Urias, Hezekias, and Baalsamus, 44   and on his left, Phaldaeus, Misael, Melchias, Lothasubus, Nabarias, and Zacharias. 45   Ezra took up the book of the law; everyone could see him, for he was seated in a conspicuous place in front of them all, and when he opened it they all stood up. 46   Ezra praised the Lord God the Most High God of hosts, the Almighty. 47   All the multitude cried ‘Amen, Amen’, and lifting up their hands fell to the ground and worshipped the Lord. 48   Jeshua, Annus, Sarabias, Jadinus, Jacubus, Sabbataeas, Autaeas, Maeannas, Calitas, Azarias, Jozabdus, Ananias, and Phiathas, the Levites, taught the law of the Lord; they read the law of the Lord to the whole company, at the same time instilling into their minds what was read.

Ezra in Jerusalem

49   Then the governor ^note said to Ezra the high priest and doctor of the law and to each of the Levites who taught the multitude: 50   ‘This day is holy to the Lord.’ 51   All were weeping as they heard the law. ‘Go then, refresh yourselves with rich food and sweet wine, and send shares to those who have none; for the day is holy to the Lord. 52   Let there be no sadness; for the Lord will give you glory.’ 53   The Levites issued the command to all the people: 54   ‘This day is holy, do not be sad.’ So they all departed to eat and drink and make merry, and to send shares to those who had none, and to hold a great celebration; 55   because the teaching given them had been instilled into their minds.

They gathered together. ^note

Previous section