² So Ezra brought it to the place where the people had gathered—men, women, and the children who were old enough to understand.

⁹ When the people heard what the Law required, they were so moved that they began to cry. So Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra, the priest and scholar of the Law, and the Levites who were explaining the Law told all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God, so you are not to mourn or cry. ¹⁰ Now go home and have a feast. Share your food and wine with those who don't have enough. Today is holy to our Lord, so don't be sad. The joy that the Lord gives you will make you strong.”

¹¹ The Levites went around calming the people and telling them not to be sad on such a holy day. ¹² So all the people went home and ate and drank joyfully and shared what they had with others, because they understood what had been read to them.