⁹ They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law^(A) of the Lord; they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people.

⁷ The Levites^(A)—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed^(B) the people in the Law while the people were standing there.

⁹ Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites^(A) who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.”^(B) For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.

³ For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach^(A) and without the law.^(B)

²² Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites, who showed good understanding of the service of the Lord. For the seven days they ate their assigned portion and offered fellowship offerings and praised^[a] the Lord, the God of their ancestors.

¹¹ and so you can teach^(A) the Israelites all the decrees the Lord has given them through Moses.^(B)”

¹⁰ For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching^(A) its decrees and laws in Israel.

⁷ “For the lips of a priest^(A) ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger^(B) of the Lord Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth.^(C)