Ezra the priest brought the law to the meeting of the people. They were all able to listen to it. It was the first day of the seventh month.

Ezra the scribe took his place on a tower (podium) of wood that they had made for the purpose. By his side were placed Mattithiah and Shema and Anaiah and Uriah and Hilkiah and Maaseiah on the right; and on the left, Pedaiah and Mishael and Malchijah and Hashum and Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam.