1 Esdras 9
9
1Ezra went out from the temple court to the inner room of Jehohanan, Eliashib’s son, 2and stayed the night there. He neither ate bread nor drank water, as he was mourning for the great immoral deeds of the multitude.
3An announcement was issued throughout Judea and Jerusalem to all who had returned from exile that they should gather at Jerusalem. 4Whoever didn’t meet there within two or three days, according to the order of the leading elders, their animals would be used for sacrifice and the people themselves cut off from the company of those who had returned from the exile.
5Then everyone from the tribe of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin gathered together at Jerusalem within three days; this was the twentieth day of the ninth month.#9.5 November–December, Kislev 6The whole crowd sat in the square of the temple, shivering because it was winter. 7Then Ezra stood up and said, “You have broken the Law and married foreign women, and thus have increased the sin of Israel. 8So confess and give glory to the Lord God of our ancestors. 9Do God’s will and separate yourselves from the neighboring peoples and from the foreign women.”
10The whole crowd cried out, “We will do what you have said. 11But it’s a big crowd, and it’s winter, and we aren’t strong enough to keep standing outside. This isn’t something we can do in one or two days, because we have sinned too greatly in these matters. 12So let the leaders of the crowd remain, and let all those in our settlements who have foreign wives come at a specific time, 13with the local elders and judges, until we are free from the Lord’s wrath that is against us in this affair.”
14Jonathan, Asahel’s son, and Jahzeiah, Tikvah’s#9.14 Gk Thocanos son, accepted these terms, and Meshullam and Levi and Shabbethai supported them as moderators. 15Those who had returned from exile followed these recommendations in every respect. 16Ezra the priest chose for himself the leading men of their families, each by name. On the new moon of the tenth month#9.16 December–January, Tevet they convened their investigation of this affair. 17The cases of the men who had married foreign wives were completed by the new moon of the first month.#9.17 March–April, Nisan
18Those who were found to have married foreign wives from the priesthood were: 19Of the family of Jeshua, Jozadak’s son, and his brothers Maaseiah, Eleazar, Jarib, and Jodan. 20They pledged to divorce their wives and to offer rams as reconciliation for their error in judgment. 21Of the family of Immer: Hanani, Zebadiah, Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Jehiel, and Azariah. 22Of the family of Pashhur: Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nathanael, Gedaliah, and Salthas.
23And of the Levites: Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah who was Kelita, Pethahiah, Judah, and Jonah. 24Of the temple singers: Eliashib and Zaccur.#9.24 Gk Bacchurus 25Of the gatekeepers: Shallum and Telem.#9.25 Gk Tolbanes
26Of Israel: of the family of Parosh: Ramiah, Izziah, Malchijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Asibias, and Benaiah. 27Of the family of Elam: Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jezrielus, Abdi, Jeremoth, and Elijah. 28Of the family of Zamoth: Eliadas, Eliashib, Othoniah, Jeremoth, Zabad and Zerdaiah. 29Of the family of Bebai: Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Emathis. 30Of the family of Mani: Olamus, Mamuchus, Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal, and Jeremoth. 31Of the family of Addi: Naathus, Moossias, Laccunus, Naidus, Bescaspasmys, Sesthel, Belnuus, and Manasseas. 32Of the family of Annan: Elionas, Asaias, Melchias, Sabbaias, and Simon Chosamaeus. 33Of the family of Hashum: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Manasseh, and Shimei. 34Of the family of Bani: Jeremai, Momdius, Maerus, Joel, Mamdai, Bedeiah, Vaniah, Carabasion, Eliashib, Mamitanemus, Eliasis, Binnui, Elialis, Shimei, Shelemiah, and Nethaniah. Of the family of Ezora: Shashai, Azarel, Azael, Samatus, Zambris, and Joseph. 35Of the family of Nooma: Mazitias, Zabad, Iddo, Joel, and Benaiah. 36All these had married foreign women, and they divorced them, along with their children.
37The priests, the Levites, and the Israelites lived in Jerusalem and in the countryside. On the new moon of the seventh month,#9.37 September–October, Tishrei after the people of Israel were settled in their homes, 38the whole crowd gathered together in the courtyard near the east gate of the temple. 39They told Ezra the chief priest and reader to bring the Law from Moses that had been given by the Lord God of Israel. 40On the new moon of the seventh month, Ezra the chief priest brought the Law before the whole crowd, both men and women, as well as the priests, to hear the Law. 41He read from dawn until noon in the courtyard near the temple gate, before men and women. The whole crowd gave full attention to the Law. 42Ezra the priest and reader of the Law stood on the wooden podium that had been prepared. 43Next to him stood Mattathiah, Shema, Ananias, Azariah, Uriah, Hezekiah, and Baalsamus at his right; 44and at his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Lothasubus, Nabariah, and Zechariah. 45Ezra took up the Law scroll in front of the large crowd (for he was in charge in the place of honor before everyone). 46When he opened the Law, everyone stood up. Ezra blessed the Lord God Most High, the God of heavenly forces, the almighty, 47and the whole crowd responded, “Amen.” They lifted up their hands. They fell to the ground and worshipped the Lord. 48The Levites (Jeshua, Anniuth, Sherebiah, Jadinus, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maiannas, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah) taught and read the Law from the Lord to the crowd, explaining the meaning.
49Then Attharates said to Ezra the chief priest and reader, and to the Levites who were teaching the people, and to everyone, who were all weeping as they listened to the Law: 50“This day is holy to the Lord. 51Go your way, eat the rich food and drink the sweet wine, and send some of it to those who have nothing, 52because the day is holy to the Lord. Don’t be sad, because the Lord will honor you.” 53The Levites ordered all the people, “This day is holy; don’t be sad.” 54They all went their way, to eat and drink and to rejoice, and to share with those who had none, and to enjoy themselves. 55They were excited by the words that they had been taught. And they came together.
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1 Esdras 9: CEB
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