Nehemiah 8:9-18

9Then Nehemiah, who was the 12governor, and Ezra 3the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “4This day is holy to the Lord your God; 5do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the Law. 10Then he said to them, “Go, eat the festival foods, drink the sweet drinks, and 6send 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 7refuge.” 11So the Levites silenced all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.” 12Then all the people went away to eat, drink, 8to send portions, and to 9celebrate a great feast, 10because they understood the words which had been made known to them.

13Then on the second day the heads of fathers’ households of all the people, the priests, and the Levites were gathered to Ezra the scribe so that they might gain insight into the words of the Law. 14And they found written in the Law how the Lord had commanded through Moses that the sons of Israel 11were to live in 12booths during the feast of the seventh month. 1513And that they were to proclaim and circulate a proclamation in all their cities and 14in Jerusalem, saying, “15Go out to the hills, and bring olive branches and 16wild olive branches, myrtle branches, palm branches, and branches of other trees with thick branches, to make booths, as it is written.” 16So the people went out and brought them and made booths for themselves, each 17on his roof, and in their courtyards and in the courtyards of the house of God, and in the public square at 18the Water Gate, and in the square at 19the Gate of Ephraim. 17The entire assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in the booths. Indeed, the sons of Israel 20had not done so since the days of Joshua the son of Nun to that day. And 21there was very great rejoicing. 1822He read from the Book of the Law of God daily, from the first day to the last day. And they 23celebrated the feast seven days, and on 24the eighth day there was a festive assembly in accordance with the ordinance.