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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.

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This Day Is Holy

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 the festival foods, drink the sweet drinks, 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 [b]refuge.” 11 So the Levites silenced all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.” 12 Then all the people went away to eat, drink, (F)to send portions, and to [c]celebrate a great feast, (G)because they understood the words which had been made known to them.

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Footnotes

  1. Nehemiah 8:9 Heb Tirshatha, a Persian title
  2. Nehemiah 8:10 Or stronghold
  3. Nehemiah 8:12 Lit make a great rejoicing