1Then Esdras rising from the court of the temple went to the chamber of Joanan the son of Eliasib,

2and remained there, and did eat no meat nor drink water, mourning for the great iniquities of the multitude.

3And there was a proclamation in all Jewry and Jerusalem to all them that were of the captivity, that they should be gathered together at Jerusalem:

4and that whosoever met not there within two or three days, according as the elders that bare rule appointed, their cattle should be seized to the use of the temple, and himself cast out from them that were of the captivity.

5And in three days were all they of the tribe of Judah and Benjamin gathered together at Jerusalem the twentieth day of the ninth month.

6And all the multitude sat trembling in the broad court of the temple because of the present foul weather.

7So Esdras arose up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed the law in marrying strange wives, thereby to increase the sins of Israel.

8And now by confessing give glory unto the Lord God of our fathers,

9and do his will, and separate yourselves from the heathen of the land, and from the strange women.

10Then cried the whole multitude, and said with a loud voice, Like as thou hast spoken, so will we do.

11But forasmuch as the people are many, and it is foul weather, so that we cannot stand without, and this is not a work of a day or two, seeing our sin in these things is spread far:

12therefore let the rulers of the multitude stay, and let all them of our habitations that have strange wives come at the time appointed,

13and with them the rulers and judges of every place, till we turn away the wrath of the Lord from us for this matter.

14Then Jonathan the son of Azael and Ezechias the son of Theocanus accordingly took this matter upon them: and Mosollam and Levis and Sabbatheus helped them.

15And they that were of the captivity did according to all these things.

16And Esdras the priest chose unto him the principal men of their families, all by name: and in the first day of the tenth month they sat together to examine the matter.

17So their cause that held strange wives was brought to an end in the first day of the first month.

18And of the priests that were come together, and had strange wives, there were found;

19of the sons of Jesus the son of Josedec, and his brethren; Matthelas, and Eleazar, and Joribus, and Joadanus.

20And they gave their hands to put away their wives, and to offer rams to make reconcilement for their errors.

21And of the sons of Emmer; Ananias, and Zabdeus, and Eanes, and Sameius, and Hiereel, and Azarias.

22And of the sons of Phaisur; Elionas, Massias, Ismael, and Nathanael, and Ocidelus, and Talsas.

23And of the Levites; Jozabad, and Semis, and Colius, who was called Calitas, and Patheus, and Judas, and Jonas.

24Of the holy singers; Eleazurus, Bacchurus.

25Of the porters; Sallumus, and Tolbanes.

26Of them of Israel, of the sons of Phoros; Hiermas, and Eddias, and Melchias, and Maelus, and Eleazar, and Asibias, and Baanias.

27Of the sons of Ela; Matthanias, Zacharias, and Hierielus, and Hieremoth, and Aedias.

28And of the sons of Zamoth; Eliadas, Elisimus, Othonias, Jarimoth, and Sabatus, and Sardeus.

29Of the sons of Bebai; Johannes, and Ananias, and Jozabad, and Amatheis.

30Of the sons of Mani; Olamus, Mamuchus, Jedeus, Jasubus, Jasael, and Hieremoth.

31And of the sons of Addi; Naathus, and Moosias, Lacunus, and Naidus, and Mathanias, and Sesthel, Balnuus, and Manasseas.

32And of the sons of Annas; Elionas, and Aseas, and Melchias, and Sabbeus, and Simon Chosameus.

33And of the sons of Asom; Altaneus, and Matthias, and Bannaia, Eliphalat, and Manasses, and Semei.

34And of the sons of Maani; Jeremias, Momdis, Omaerus, Juel, Mabdai, and Pelias, and Anos, Carabasion, and Enasibus, and Mamnitanaimus, Eliasis, Bannus, Eliali, Samis, Selemias, Nathanias: and of the sons of Ozora; Sesis, Esril, Azaelus, Samatus, Zambis, Josephus.

35And of the sons of Ethma; Mazitias, Zabadaias, Edes, Juel, Banaias.

36All these had taken strange wives, and they put them away with their children.

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 the 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 all 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, Sabateus, 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.