1 Now all ^athe people gathered together as one man in the open square that was ^bin front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the ^cscribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel.  ‡

2 So Ezra the priest brought ^athe Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding ^bon the first day of the seventh month.  ‡

3 Then he ^aread from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate¹ from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.  ‡