9 Then Nehemiah, who was the 1governor, and Ezra2the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the peoplesaid to all the people, "3Thisday is holy to the LORD your God; 4do not mourn or weep." For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the law.
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Then he said to them, "Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and 5sendportions 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."
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So the Levitescalmedall the people, saying, "Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved."
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All the peoplewent away to eat, to drink, 6to sendportions and to celebrate a greatfestival, 7because they understood the wordswhich had been madeknown to them.