² Then ^(A)Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women and all who could listen with understanding, on ^(B)the first day of the seventh month.

“This Day Is Holy”

⁹ Then Nehemiah, who was the ^[a](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 of the fat, drink of the sweet, 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 strength.” ¹¹ So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.” ¹² All the people went away to eat, to drink, ^(F)to send portions and to ^[b]celebrate a great festival, ^(G)because they understood the words which had been made known to them.