Monday, October 09, 2006

Scrabble Syndrome

5 Ezra opened (A) the book in the sight of all the people for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people (B) stood up.

6 Then Ezra blessed the LORD the great God. And all the people answered, "(C) Amen, Amen!" while lifting up their hands; then (D) they bowed low and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

7 Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, explained the law to the people while the people remained in their place.

8 They read from the book, from the law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading.

9 Then Nehemiah, who was the (E) governor, and Ezra (F) the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "(G) This day is holy to the LORD your God; (H) do not mourn or weep." For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the law.

10 Then he said to them, "Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and (I) send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

11 So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved."

-Nehemiah 8:5-11