1 Esdras 9:37–55

³⁷And the priests and Levites, and they that were of Israel, dwelt in Jerusalem, and in the country, in the first day of the seventh month: so the children of Israel were in their habitations. ³⁸And the whole multitude came together with one accord into the broad place of the holy porch toward the east: ³⁹And they spake unto Esdras the priest and reader, that he would bring the law of Moses, that was given of the Lord God of Israel. ⁴⁰So Esdras the chief priest brought the law unto the whole multitude from man to woman, and to all the priests, to hear law in the first day of the seventh month. ⁴¹And 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. ⁴²And Esdras the priest and reader of the law stood up upon a pulpit of wood, which was made for that purpose. ⁴³And there stood up by him Mattathias, Sammus, Ananias, Azarias, Urias, Ezecias, Balasamus, upon the right hand: ⁴⁴And upon his left hand stood Phaldaius, Misael, Melchias, Lothasubus, and Nabarias. ⁴⁵Then took Esdras the book of the law before the multitude: for he sat honourably in the first place in the sight of them all. ⁴⁶And when he opened the law, they stood all straight up. So Esdras blessed the Lord God most High, the God of hosts, Almighty. ⁴⁷And all the people answered, Amen; and lifting up their hands they fell to the ground, and worshipped the Lord. ⁴⁸Also Jesus, Anus, Sarabias, Adinus, Jacubus, Sabateas, Auteas, Maianeas, and Calitas, Azarias, and Joazabdus, and Ananias, Biatas, the Levites, taught the law of the Lord, making them withal to understand it.

⁴⁹Then spake Attharates unto Esdras the chief priest and reader, and to the Levites that taught the multitude, even to all, saying, ⁵⁰This day is holy unto the Lord; (for they all wept when they heard the law:) ⁵¹Go then, and eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send part to them that have nothing; ⁵²For this day is holy unto the Lord: and be not sorrowful; for the Lord will bring you to honour. ⁵³So the Levites published all things to the people, saying, This day is holy to the Lord; be not sorrowful. ⁵⁴Then 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; ⁵⁵Because they understood the words wherein they were instructed, and for the which they had been assembled.