2. Those who were descendants of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood and confessed their sins as well as the wicked things their ancestors had done.
3. They stood in their places, and for one-fourth of the day, ⌊they listened as⌋ the Book of the Teachings of the Lord their God was read, and for another fourth ⌊of the day⌋, they confessed their sins and worshiped the Lord their God.
4. Then Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chanani stood on the stairs built for the Levites and cried loudly to the Lord their God.
5. Then the Levites— Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah—said, “Stand up, and thank the Lord your God:From everlasting to everlasting your glorious name is praisedand lifted high above all blessing and praise.
6. You alone are the Lord.You made heaven, the highest heaven, with all its armies.You made the earth and everything on it,the seas and everything in them.You give life to them all, and the armies of heaven worship you.
7. You are the Lord, the God who chose Abramand took him from Ur of the Chaldeansand gave him the name Abraham.
8. You found that his heart was faithful to you.You made a promise to him to give the land of the Canaanites, Hittites,Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites, and Girgashites to his descendants.You kept your promise because you are fair.
9. You saw how our ancestors suffered in Egypt,and you heard them crying at the Red Sea.
10. You performed miraculous signs and did amazing things to Pharaohand all his servants and all the people in his landbecause you knew how arrogantlythey were treating our ancestors.You made a name for yourself, a name which remains to this day.
11. You divided the sea in front of themso that they could walk through the sea on dry ground.You threw into deep water those who pursued your peopleas someone throws a stone into raging water.
12. You led them during the day by a column of smokeand during the night by a column of fire to give them lightto see the way they should go.
13. You came from heaven to Mount Sinaiand spoke with them from heaven.You gave them fair rules, trustworthy teachings,and good laws and commandments.