1 All the people met by the Water Gate. They asked Ezra to bring God’s law book. 2 Ezra the priest brought the book. Men, women, and kids who could listen came. It was day 1 of month seven. ⛪️ 3 Ezra read the book from morning to noon. All the people listened strong. 4 Ezra stood on a high wood stand. Men stood with him. On his right: Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, Maaseiah. On his left: Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbadana, Zechariah, Meshullam. 5 Ezra opened the book so all could see. All the people stood up. ♂️♀️ 6 Ezra thanked God, the great God. All the people said, “Amen! Amen!” They lifted hands, bowed low, and put faces to the ground. 7 The Levites helped the people understand. Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah taught the people. 8 They read God’s book and told the meaning. The people could understand. ️ 9 Nehemiah the leader, Ezra the priest, and the Levites said, “Do not cry. This day is holy to God.” The people had cried when they heard the words. ➡️ 10 Nehemiah said, “Go. Eat good food. Drink sweet drink. Share with ones who have none. Do not be sad. God gives you joy. Joy makes you strong.” 11 The Levites said, “Be quiet. This day is holy. Do not be sad.” 12 All the people went to eat, drink, share, and be very happy, because they understood the words. ️ 13 The next day, leaders, priests, and Levites came to Ezra to learn more from the book. 14 They found God said, “Live in small tents in month seven.” ️ 15 They told all towns and Jerusalem, “Go get tree branches. Make small tents.” ️ 16 The people got branches and made small tents on roofs, in yards, in God’s house yard, by the Water Gate, and by the Ephraim Gate. ️⛪ 17 All the people made tents and lived in them. They had not done this since Joshua’s time. There was very big joy. ️ 18 Each day Ezra read the book. They kept the feast 7 days. On day 8, they had a big meeting, as the rule said. 7️⃣️