¹⁰ Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing^(A) prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy^(B) of the Lord is your strength.”

⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.^{(A) 9} But he said to me, “My grace^(B) is sufficient for you, for my power^(C) is made perfect in weakness.^(D)”^(E) Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Songs of Praise

12 In that day^(A) you will say:

² In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.^(A)

¹⁹ That is why rural Jews—those living in villages—observe the fourteenth of the month of Adar^(A) as a day of joy and feasting, a day for giving presents to each other.^(B)

⁷ Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine^(A) with a joyful heart,^(B) for God has already approved what you do.