In Context

8 and they read in the book, in the law of God, explaining — so as to give the meaning, and they give understanding to the convocation.

9 And Nehemiah — he is the Tirshatha — saith (and Ezra the priest, the scribe, and the Levites who are instructing the people) to all the people, 'To-day is holy to Jehovah your God, do not mourn, nor weep:' for all the people are weeping at their hearing the words of the law.

10 And he saith to them, 'Go, eat fat things, and drink sweet things, and sent portions to him for whom nothing is prepared, for to-day is holy to our Lord, and be not grieved, for the joy of Jehovah is your strength.'

11 And the Levites are keeping all the people silent, saying, 'Be silent, for to-day is holy, and be not grieved.'

12 And all the people go to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great joy, because they have understood concerning the words that they made known to them.

13 And on the second day have been gathered heads of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to act wisely concerning the words of the law.

Nehemiah 8:11 in Other Translations