9
Then Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the peoplesaid to all the people, "Thisday is holy to the LORD your God; 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 sendportions to him who has nothingprepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
12
All the peoplewent away to eat, to drink, to sendportions and to celebrate a greatfestival, because they understood the wordswhich had been madeknown to them.