8:1 And all the people gathered as one man at the square which was in
front of the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book
of the law of Moses which the Lord had given to Israel.
8:9 Then Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and
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 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 send portions to
him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not
be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
