⁸ In cases of defiling skin diseases,^[a] be very careful to do exactly as the Levitical^(A) priests instruct you. You must follow carefully what I have commanded them.^(B)

² So on the first day of the seventh month^(A) Ezra the priest brought the Law^(B) before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand.

⁸ They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear^[a] and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.

¹⁸ They said, “Come, let’s make plans^(A) against Jeremiah; for the teaching of the law by the priest^(B) will not cease, nor will counsel from the wise,^(C) nor the word from the prophets.^(D) So come, let’s attack him with our tongues^(E) and pay no attention to anything he says.”

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)