Open English Translation G ESD Chapter 9

9 Then Ezra rose up from the temple courtyard and went to the chamber of Yonah (Jonah) the son of Elyashiv,[ref] 2 and lodged there, and ate no bread and drank no water, mourning for the great iniquities of the multitude. 3 An official announcement was made in all Yehudah and Yerushalem to all those who returned from captivity, that they should be gathered together at Yerushalem, 4 and that anyone who didn’t meet there within two or three days, in accordance with the ruling of the elders, that their livestock would be seized for the use of the temple, and they’d be expelled from the multitude of those who returned from captivity.

5 Within three days, all those of the tribe of Yehudah (Judah) and Benyamin gathered together at Yerushalem (Jerusalem). This was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month. 6 All the multitude sat together shivering in the broad place before the temple because of the present foul weather. 7 So Ezra arose up and said to them, “You’ve transgressed the law and married foreign wives, increasing the sins of Yisrael (Israel). 8 Now make confession and give glory to the master, the god of our fathers, 9 and do his will, and separate yourselves from the heathen of the land, and from the foreign women.”

10 Then the whole multitude cried out, and said with a loud voice, “Just as you’ve spoken, so we’ll do. 11 But because the multitude is great, and it’s foul weather, so that we can’t stand outside, and this isn’t a work of one day or two, seeing our sin in these things has spread far, 12 therefore let the rulers of the multitude stay, and let all those of our settlements that have foreign wives come at the time appointed, 13 and with them the rulers and judges of every place, until we turn away the master’s anger from us for this matter.”

14 So Yonatan (Jonathan) the son of Asahel and Yahzeyah[fn] the son of Tikvah took the matter on themselves. Meshulam and Levi and Shabtay were judges with them. 15 Those who returned from captivity did according to all these things.

16 Ezra the priest chose for himself principal men of their families, all by name. On the new moon of the tenth month they met together to examine the matter. 17 So their cases of men who had foreign wives was brought to an end by the new moon of the first month.

18 Of the priests who’d come together and had foreign wives, there were found 19 of the sons of Yeshua (Jesus) the son of Yotsadak, and his kindred, Ma’aseyah,[fn] Eleazar, and Yariv,[fn] and Gedalyah.[fn] 20 They gave their hands to put away their wives, and to offer rams to make reconciliation for their error. 21 Of the sons of Imer: Hananyah, Zevadyah, Harim,[fn] Ma’aseyah,[fn] Yehiel,[fn] and Uziyah.[fn] 22 Of the sons of Pashhur:[fn] Elyehoeynay, Ma’aseyah, Yishmael (Ishmael), Netanel, Yozavad,[fn] and Eleasah.[fn]

23 Of the Levites: Yozavad, Shimei, Kelayah[fn] who was called Kelita,[fn] Petahyah,[fn] Yehudah (Judas), and Yonah (Jonah). 24 Of the holy singers: Elyashiv[fn] and Bakurus. 25 Of the gatekeepers: Shalum and[fn] Telem.

26 Of Yisrael (Israel), of the sons of Par’osh:[fn] Rameyah,[fn] Yiziyah,[fn] Malkiyah, Miyamin,[fn] Eleazar, Asibas, and Benayah.[fn] 27 Of the sons of Elah: Matanyah, Zekaryah (Zechariah), Yehiel,[fn] Ovadyah (Obadiah), Yerimot, and[fn] Avdi. 28 Of the sons of Zatu:[fn] Elyehoeynay,[fn] Elyashiv,[fn] Matanyah,[fn] Yerimot, Zavad,[fn] and[fn] Aziza. 29 Of the sons of Bevay: Yohan (John), Hananyah, Zabay,[fn] and Atlay.[fn] 30 Of the sons of Bani:[fn] Meshulam,[fn] Maluk,[fn] Adayah,[fn] Yashuv, Sheal,[fn] and Yerimot. 31 Of the sons of Addi: Naathus, Moossias, Laccunus, Naidus, Matanyah, Sheal, Balnuus, and Menasheh (Manasseh). 32 Of the sons of Hanan: Elyehoeynay, Aseas, Malkiyah, Sabbeus, and Shim’on (Simon) Chosameus. 33 Of the sons of Hashum: Matenay,[fn] Matityah (Mattathias),[fn] Zavad,[fn] Elifelet, Menasheh, and Shimei. 34 Of the sons of Bani: Yirmiyah (Jeremiah), Momdis, Ismaerus, Yoel (Joel), Amram, Pedias, Anos, Carabasion, Enasibus, Mamnitamenus, Eliasis, Bannus, Eliali, Someis, Shelemyah, and Netanyah. Of the sons of Ezora: Sesis, Ezril, Azarel, Samatus, Zimri, and Yosef (Joseph). 35 Of the sons of Nooma: Mazitias, Zavad, Edos, Yoel, and Benayah. 36 All these had taken foreign wives, and they put them away with their children.

37 The priests and Levites, and those who were of Yisrael (Israel), lived in Yerushalem (Jerusalem) and in the country, on the new moon of the seventh month, and the Israeli people in their settlements.

38 The whole multitude gathered together with one accord into the broad place before the porch of the temple towards the east.[ref] 39 They said to Ezra the priest and reader, “Bring Mosheh’s (Moses’) law that was given by the master, the god of Yisrael.”

40 So Ezra the chief priest brought the law to the whole multitude both of men and women, and to all the priests, to hear the law on the new moon of the seventh month. 41 He read in the broad place before the porch of the temple from morning until midday, before both men and women; and all the multitude gave attention to the law. 42 Ezra the priest and reader of the law stood up on the wooden pulpit which had been prepared. 43 Beside him stood Matityah (Mattathias), Shema, Hananyah, Azaryah, Uriyah, Hilkiyah,[fn] and Baalsamus on the right hand, 44 and on his left hand, Pedayah,[fn] Mishael, Malkiyah, Hashum,[fn] Nabarias, and Zekaryah (Zechariah). 45 Then Ezra took the book of the law before the multitude, and sat honourably in the first place before all. 46 When he opened the law, they all stood straight up. So Ezra blessed the master God Most High, the god of armies, the Almighty. 47 All the people answered, “Amen.” Lifting up their hands, they fell to the ground and worshipped the master. 48 Also Yeshua (Jesus), Annus, Shereveyah, Yamin, Akuv, Shabtay, Hodiyah,[fn] Maiannas, Kelita, Azaryah, Yozavad, Hananyah, and Pelayah, the Levites, taught the master’s law, and[fn] read to the multitude the master’s law, explaining what was read.

49 Then Attharates said to Ezra the chief priest and reader, and to the Levites who taught the multitude, even to all, 50 “This day is holy to the master—now they all wept when they heard the law—51 go then, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing; 52 for the day is holy to the master. Don’t be sorrowful, for the master will bring you to honour.” 53 So the Levites commanded all things to the people, saying, “This day is holy. Don’t be sorrowful.” 54 Then they went their way, every one to eat, drink, enjoy themselves, to give portions to those who had nothing, and to rejoice greatly, 55 because they understood[fn] the words they were instructed with, and for which they’d been assembled.