They read from the book, from the Law of God, [a]translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading.

This Day Is Holy

Then Nehemiah, who was the [b](A)governor, and Ezra (B)the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “(C)This day is holy to the Lord your God; (D)do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the Law. 10 Then he said to them, “Go, eat the festival foods, drink the sweet drinks, and (E)send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your [c]refuge.”

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Footnotes

  1. Nehemiah 8:8 Or explaining
  2. Nehemiah 8:9 Heb Tirshatha, a Persian title
  3. Nehemiah 8:10 Or stronghold

So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.

(A)And Nehemiah, who was the [a]governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, (B)“This day is holy to the Lord your God; (C)do not mourn nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law.

10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, (D)and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

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Footnotes

  1. Nehemiah 8:9 Heb. Tirshatha