3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Week III of the Psalter) — Year C First reading “All the people listened to the reading of the Law” (Neh 8:2-4a.5-6.8-10) Reading from the Book of Nehemiah

 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Week III of the Psalter) — Year C

First reading

“All the people listened to the reading of the Law” (Neh 8:2-4a.5-6.8-10)

Reading from the Book of Nehemiah

In those days

    Ezra the priest brought the book of the Law

before the assembly,

the men, the women,

and all the children of an age to understand.

It was the first day of the seventh month.

    Ezra, facing the square of the Water Gate,

read from the book

from daybreak until noon,

in the presence of the men, the women,

and all the children of an age to understand;

all the people listened to the reading of the Law.

    Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform

built for the purpose.

    Ezra opened the book;

all the people saw him, for he was towering over the assembly.

When he opened the book, all the people stood.

    Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the most great God,

and all the people lifted up their hands and said,

“Amen! Amen!”

Then they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord

with their faces to the ground.

    Ezra read a passage from the book of the law of God,

then the Levites translated, gave the meaning,

and one could understand.

    Then Nehemiah the governor,

Ezra the priest and scribe,

and the Levites who were instructing the people,

said to all the people,

“This day is holy to the Lord your God!

Do not mourn or weep!”

For they all wept when they heard the words of the Law.

    Then Ezra said to them,

“Go, eat the rich food,

drink the spiced drink,

and send a portion to anyone who has nothing ready.

For this day is holy to our God!

Do not grieve,

for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

    – Word of the Lord.