2:2–35 The first group listed is the laity. The list is in two parts: part one (vv. 3–20) gives the family names of the returnees, and part two (vv. 21–35) lists their towns. The laity are mentioned ahead of the clergy, in keeping with the emphasis in Ezra and Nehemiah on the significance of the common people in rebuilding the kingdom (2:1–70 note).