Nehemiah 8:9-12 - This Day Is Holy

⁹ Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites who taught the people, said to all the people, "This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn, nor weep." For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. ¹⁰ Then he said to them, "Go your way. Eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved; for the joy of the LORD is your strength." ¹¹ So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, "Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be grieved." ¹² All the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.