A reading from the book of Nehemiah.

The whole people gathered as one in the open space before the water gate, and they called

upon Ezra the scribe to bring forth the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord prescribed

for Israel. On the first day of the seventh month,, which the Lord prescribed for Israel.

On the first day of the seventh month, therefore, Ezra the priest brought the law before

the assembly which consisted of men, women, and those children old enough to understand.

Standing at one of the open place that was before the Watergate.

He read out of the book from the daybreak until midday,

in the presence of the men, the women, and those children old enough to understand.

And all the people listened attentively to the book of the law.

Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that had been made for the occasion.

He opened the scroll so that all the people might see it, for he was standing higher up than any of the people,

and as he opened it, all the people rose.

Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people, their hands raised high, answered, Amen, amen.

Then they bowed down and prostrated themselves before the Lord, their faces to the ground.

As the people remained in their places, Ezra read plainly from the book of the law of God,

interpreting it so that all could understand

what was read. Then Nehemiah, that is, His Excellency, and Ezra, the priest scribe, and the

Levites who were instructing the people, said to all the people, today is holy, to the Lord

your God. Do not be sad and do not weep, for all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law.

He said further, go eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks, and a lot portions of those who had nothing prepared, for today is holy to our Lord.

Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength,

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