¹⁶ So the people went out and got tree branches. They built ·shelters [^Tbooths] on their roofs [^Croofs were living space], in their courtyards, in the courtyards of the ·Temple [^Lhouse] of God, in the square by the Water Gate, and in the square next to the Gate of Ephraim. ¹⁷ The whole ·group [assembly] that had come back from ·captivity [exile] built ·shelters [^Tbooths] and lived in them. The Israelites had not done this since the ·time [days] of Joshua son of Nun. And ·they were very happy [there was great rejoicing].

¹⁸ Ezra read to them every day from the ·Book [scroll] of the ·Teachings [Laws; Instructions; ^LTorah] of God, from the first day to the last [^Cof the festival]. The people of Israel celebrated the feast for seven days, and then on the eighth day the people ·gathered [held a solemn assembly] ·as the law said [^Laccording to the judgment].