^7 (A)Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites,^{[a] (B)}helped the people to understand the Law, ^(C)while the people remained in their places. ⁸ They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly,^[b] and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.

This Day Is Holy

⁹ And Nehemiah, who was ^(D)the governor, and Ezra ^(E)the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, ^(F)“This day is holy to the Lord your God; ^(G)do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law.