1Then Ezra rose and went from the court of the temple to the chamber of Jehoha'nan the son of Eli'ashib, 2and spent the night there; and he did not eat bread or drink water, for he was mourning over the great iniquities of the multitude. 3And a proclamation was made throughout Judea and Jerusalem to all who had returned from the captivity that they should assemble at Jerusalem, 4and that if any did not meet there within two or three days, in accordance with the dicision of the ruling elders, their cattle should be seized for sacrifice and the men themselves9.4 Gk he himself expelled from the multitude of those who had returned from the captivity.

5Then the men of the tribe of Judah and Benjamin assembled at Jerusalem within three days; this was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month. 6And all the multitude sat in the open square before the temple, shivering because of the bad weather that prevailed. 7Then Ezra rose and said to them, “You have broken the law and married foreign women, and so have increased the sin of Israel. 8Now then make confession and give glory to the Lord the God of our fathers, 9and do his will; separate yourselves from the peoples of the land and from your foreign wives.” 10Then all the multitude shouted and said with a loud voice, “We will do as you have said. 11But the multitude is great and it is winter, and we are not able to stand in the open air. This is not a work we can do in one day or two, for we have sinned too much in these things. 12So let the leaders of the multitude stay, and let all those in our settlements who have foreign wives come at the time appointed, 13with the elders and judges of each place, until we are freed from the wrath of the Lord over this matter.” 14Jonathan the son of As'ahel and Jahzei'ah the son of Tikvah9.14 Gk Thocanus undertook the matter on these terms, and Meshul'lam and Levi and Shab'bethai served with them as judges. 15And those who had returned from the captivity acted in accordance with all this.

16Ezra the priest chose for himself the leading men of their fathers' houses, all of them by name; and on the new moon of the tenth month they began their sessions to investigate the matter. 17And the cases of the men who had foreign wives were brought to an end by the new moon of the first month.

18Of the priests those who were brought in and found to have foreign wives were: 19of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jo'zadak and his brethren, Ma-asei'ah, Elie'zar, Jarib and Jodan. 20They pledged themselves to put away their wives, and to give rams in expiation of their error. 21Of the sons of Immer: Hana'ni and Zebadi'ah and Ma-asei'ah and Shemai'ah and Jehi'el and Azari'ah. 22Of the sons of Pashhur: Eli-o-e'nai, Ma-asei'ah, Ish'mael, and Nathan'a-el, and Gedali'ah, and Elas'sah.9.22 Gk Salthas or Saloas

23And of the Levites: Jo'zabad and Shim'e-i and Kelai'ah, who was Keli'ta, and Pethahi'ah and Judah and Jonah. 24Of the temple singers: Eli'ashib and Zaccur.9.24 Gk Bacchurus 25Of the gatekeepers: Shallum and Telem.9.25 Gk Tolbanes

26Of Israel: of the sons of Parosh: Rami'ah, Izzi'ah, Malchi'jah, Mi'jamin, and Elea'zar, and Asibi'as, and Benai'ah. 27Of the sons of Elam: Mattani'ah and Zechari'ah, Jehi'el9.27 Gk Jezrielus and Abdi, and Jer'emoth and Eli'jah. 28Of the sons of Zattu:9.28 Gk Zamoth Eli-o-e'nai,9.28 Gk Eliadas Eli'ashib, Othoni'ah Jer'emoth, and Zabad and Zerda'iah. 29Of the sons of Be'bai: Jehoha'nan and Hanani'ah and Zab'bai and Emath'is. 30Of the sons of Bani:9.30 Gk Mani Meshul'lam,9.30 Gk Olamus Malluch,9.30 Gk Mamuchus, Adai'ah, Jashub, and She'al and Jer'emoth. 31Of the sons of Addi: Na'athus and Mo-ossi'as, Laccu'nus and Na'idus, and Bescaspas'mys and Sesthel, and Belnu'us and Manasse'as. 32Of the sons of Annan: Elio'nas and Asai'as and Melchi'as and Sabbai'as and Simon Chosamae'us. 33Of the sons of Hashum: Matte'nai and Mat'tattah and Zabad and Eliph'elet and Manas'seh and Shim'e-i. 34Of the sons of Bani: Jer'emai, Ma-ada'i,9.34 Gk Momdius, Amram,9.34 Gk Maerus, Jo'el, Mam'dai and Bedei'ah and Vani'ah, Caraba'sion and Eli'ashib and Machnad'ebai,9.34 Gk Mamnitanemus Eli'asis, Bin'nui, Eli'alis, Shim'e-i, Shelemi'ah, Nethani'ah. Of the sons of Ezor'a: Shashai, Az'arel, Az'ael, Shemai'ah,9.34 Gk Samatus Amari'ah,9.34 Gk Zambris Joseph. 35Of the sons of Nebo:9.35 Gk Nooma Mattithi'ah,9.35 Gk Mazitias Zabad, Iddo, Jo'el, Benai'ah. 36All these had married foreign women, and they put them away with their children.

37The priests and the Levites and the men of Israel settled in Jerusalem and in the country. On the new moon of the seventh month, when the sons of Israel were in their settlements, 38the whole multitude gathered with one accord into the open square before the east gate of the temple; 39and they told Ezra the chief priest and reader to bring the law of Moses which had been given by the Lord God of Israel. 40So Ezra the chief priest brought the law, for all the multitude, men and women, and all the priests to hear the law, on the new moon of the seventh month. 41And he read aloud in the open square before the gate of the temple from early morning until midday, in the presence of both men and women; and all the multitude gave attention to the law. 42Ezra the priest and reader of the law stood on the wooden platform which had been prepared; 43and beside him stood Mattathi'ah, Shema, Anai'ah,9.43 Gk Anani'as Azari'ah, Uri'ah, Hezeki'ah, and Ba-al'samus on his right hand, 44and on his left Peda'iah, Mish'a-el, Malchi'jah, Lothasu'bus, Nabari'ah, and Zechari'ah. 45Then Ezra took up the book of the law in the sight of the multitude, for he had the place of honour in the presence of all. 46And when he opened the law, they all stood erect. And Ezra blessed the Lord God Most High, the God of hosts, the Almighty; 47and all the multitude answered, “Amen.” And they lifted up their hands, and fell to the ground and worshipped the Lord. 48Jeshua and An'niuth and Sherebi'ah, Jamin,9.48 Gk Jadinus Akkub, Shab'bethai, Hodi'ah, Ma-asei'ah9.48 Gk Maiannas and Keli'ta, Azari'ah and Jo'zabad, Hanan, Pelai'ah, the Levites, taught the law of the Lord,9.48 Other authorities add and read the law of the Lord to the multitude at the same time explaining what was read.

49Then Atthara'tes9.49 Or the governor said to Ezra the chief priest and reader, and to the Levites who were teaching the multitude, and to all, 50“This day is holy to the Lord” — now they were all weeping as they heard the law — 51“so go your way, eat the fat and drink the sweet, and send portions to those who have none; 52for the day is holy to the Lord; and do not be sorrowful, for the Lord will exalt you.” 53And the Levites commanded all the people, saying, “This day is holy; do not be sorrowful.” 54Then they all went their way, to eat and drink and enjoy themselves, and to give portions to those who had none, and to make great rejoicing; 55because they were inspired by the words which they had been taught. And they came together.9.55 The Greek text ends abruptly: compare Nehemi'ah 8.13