Then Nehemiah,whowas the governor,and Ezrathe priest[and] scribe,and the Leviteswho taughtthe peoplesaidto allthe people,"Thisdayis holyto the LORDyour God;do not mournor weep."For allthe peoplewere weepingwhen they heardthe wordsof the law.
When the kingheardthe wordsof the bookof the law,he torehis clothes.
becauseyour heartwas tenderand you humbledyourselfbeforethe LORDwhen you heardwhatI spokeagainstthisplaceand againstits inhabitantsthat they should becomea desolationand a curse,and you have tornyour clothesand weptbeforeMe, I trulyhave heardyou," declaresthe LORD.
"For manydaysIsraelwas withoutthe true Godand withouta teachingpriestand withoutlaw.
Then Hezekiahspokeencouraginglyto allthe Leviteswho showedgoodinsight[in the things] of the LORD.So they atefor the appointedsevendays,sacrificingpeaceofferingsand givingthanksto the LORDGodof their fathers.
When the kingheardthe wordsof the law,he torehis clothes.
"Go,inquireof the LORDfor me and for those who are leftin Israeland in Judah,concerningthe wordsof the bookwhichhas been found;for greatis the wrathof the LORDwhichis pouredout on us becauseour fathershave not observedthe wordof the LORD,to doaccording to allthat is writtenin thisbook."
He also saidto the Leviteswho taughtallIsrael[and] who were holyto the LORD,"Putthe holyarkin the housewhichSolomonthe sonof Davidkingof Israelbuilt;it will be a burdenon [your] shouldersnolonger. Nowservethe LORDyour Godand His peopleIsrael.
The governorsaidto them that they should not eatfrom the mostholythingsuntila prieststoodup with Urimand Thummim.
Now thisis the copyof the decreewhichKingArtaxerxesgaveto Ezrathe priest,the scribe,learnedin the wordsof the commandmentsof the LORDand His statutesto Israel:
Now on the sealeddocument [were the names of]: Nehemiahthe governor,the sonof Hacaliah,and Zedekiah,
These[served] in the daysof Joiakimthe sonof Jeshua,the sonof Jozadak,and in the daysof Nehemiahthe governorand of Ezrathe priest[and] scribe.
The governorsaidto them that they should not eatfrom the mostholythingsuntila priestarosewith Urimand Thummim.
Somefrom among the headsof fathers'[households] gaveto the work.The governorgaveto the treasury1000golddrachmas,50basins,530priests'garments.
Then Ezrathe priestbroughtthe lawbeforethe assemblyof men,womenand allwho [could] listenwith understanding,on the firstdayof the seventhmonth.
A timeto weepand a timeto laugh;A timeto mournand a timeto dance.
To grantthose who mourn[in] Zion,Givingthem a garlandinsteadof ashes,The oilof gladnessinsteadof mourning,The mantleof praiseinsteadof a spiritof fainting.So they will be calledoaksof righteousness,The plantingof the LORD,that He may be glorified.
My peopleare destroyedfor lackof knowledge.Becauseyou have rejectedknowledge,I also will rejectyou from being My priest.Since you have forgottenthe lawof your God,I alsowill forgetyour children.
"Speakto the sonsof Israel,saying,In the seventhmonthon the firstof the monthyou shall havea rest,a reminderby blowing[of trumpets], a holyconvocation.
"Thisis anotherthingyou do:you coverthe altarof the LORDwith tears,with weepingand with groaning,becauseHe nolongerregardsthe offeringor accepts[it with] favorfrom your hand.
becauseby the worksof the Lawnofleshwill be justifiedin His sight;for throughthe Law[comes] the knowledgeof sin.
I was oncealiveapartfrom the Law;but when the commandmentcame,sinbecame aliveand I died;
"And you shall rejoicebeforethe LORDyour God,you and your sonsand daughters,your maleand femaleservants,and the Levitewhois within your gates,sincehe hasnoportionor inheritancewith you.
"Therealso you and your householdsshall eatbeforethe LORDyour God,and rejoicein allyour undertakingsin whichthe LORDyour Godhas blessedyou.
and you shall rejoicebeforethe LORDyour God,you and your sonand your daughterand your maleand femaleservantsand the Levitewhois in your town,and the strangerand the orphanand the widowwhoare in your midst,in the placewherethe LORDyour Godchoosesto establishHis name.
I have not eatenof it while mourning,norhave I removedanyof it while I was unclean,norofferedanyof it to the dead.I have listenedto the voiceof the LORDmy God;I have doneaccording to allthat You have commandedme.
Be miserableand mournand weep;let your laughterbe turnedinto mourningand your joyto gloom.
