Nehemiah 8:9-11

Easy-to-Read Version

⁹ Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher, and the Levites who were teaching the people spoke. They said, “Today is a special day^[a] to the Lord your God. Don’t be sad and cry.” They said that because all the people had begun to cry as they were listening to the messages of God in the law.

¹⁰ Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy the good food and sweet drinks. Give some food and drinks to those who didn’t prepare any food. Today is a special day to our Lord. Don’t be sad, because the joy of the Lord will make you strong.”

¹¹ The Levites helped the people to calm down. They said, “Be quiet, calm down, this is a special day. Don’t be sad.”