They read from the book, from the law of God, [a]translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading.

“This Day Is Holy”

Then Nehemiah, who was the [b](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.”

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Footnotes

  1. Nehemiah 8:8 Or explaining
  2. Nehemiah 8:9 Heb Tirshatha, a Persian title