Nehemiah 8:11

11 The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve.”

Nehemiah 8:11 in Other Translations

11 So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.

11 So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved."

11 And the Levites, too, quieted the people, telling them, “Hush! Don’t weep! For this is a sacred day.”

11 The Levites calmed the people, "Quiet now. This is a holy day. Don't be upset."

11 And the Levites quieted all the people, saying, "Be still, since today is holy. Do not grieve."

Nehemiah 8:11 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 8:11

So the Levites stilled all the people
Made them quiet and easy, being backed by the governor:

saying, hold your peace;
refrain from weeping and mourning:

for the day is holy;
a festival, set apart for joy and gladness:

neither be ye grieved;
inwardly; as they were not to show any signs of sorrow outwardly, so they were not to cherish grief inwardly.

Nehemiah 8:11 In-Context

9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.

10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

11 The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve.”

12 Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.

13 On the second day of the month, the heads of all the families, along with the priests and the Levites, gathered around Ezra the teacher to give attention to the words of the Law.