Nehemiah 8:4-5

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.

[8:4]  ¹ tn Heb “a tower of wood.”

[8:5]  ² tn Heb “to the eyes.”

[8:5]  ³ tn Heb “it”; the referent (the book) has been specified in the translation for clarity.