8:4 Ezra the scribe stood on a towering wooden platform 1 constructed for this purpose. Standing near him on his right were Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Masseiah. On his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam. 8:5 Ezra opened the book in plain view 2 of all the people, for he was elevated above all the people. When he opened the book, 3 all the people stood up.
1 tn Heb “a tower of wood.”
2 tn Heb “to the eyes.”
3 tn Heb “it”; the referent (the book) has been specified in the translation for clarity.