Nehemia 8:10-13

8:10 He said to them, “Go and eat delicacies and drink sweet drinks and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared. For this day is holy to our Lord. ¹  Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

8:11 Then the Levites quieted all the people saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy. Do not grieve.” 8:12 So all the people departed to eat and drink and to share their food ²  with others ³  and to enjoy tremendous joy, ⁴  for they had gained insight in the matters that had been made known to them.

8:13 On the second day of the month the family leaders ⁵  met with ⁶  Ezra the scribe, together with all the people, the priests, and the Levites, to consider the words of the law.

¹ tn The Hebrew term translated “Lord” here is אֲדֹנָי (’adonay).

² tn Heb “to send portions.”

³ tn The Hebrew text does not include the phrase “with others” but it has been supplied in the translation for clarity.

⁴ tn Heb “to make great joy.”

⁵ tn Heb “the heads of the fathers.”

⁶ tn Heb “were gathered to”; NAB, NIV “gathered around”; NRSV “came together to.”