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.”

²⁰ Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn^(A) while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.^{(B) 21} A woman giving birth to a child has pain^(C) because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.

³ I wrote as I did,^(A) so that when I came I would not be distressed^(B) by those who should have made me rejoice. I had confidence^(C) in all of you, that you would all share my joy.