Nehemiah 8:9-12

World English Bible

⁹ Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people, said to all the people, “Today is holy to Yahweh your God. Don’t 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, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared, for today is holy to our Lord. Don’t be grieved, for the joy of Yahweh is your strength.”

¹¹ So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Hold your peace, for the day is holy. Don’t be grieved.”

¹² All the people went their way to eat, to drink, to send portions, and to celebrate, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.