Bible verse for August 22

⁷ Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites explained the law to the people as the people stood in their places. ⁸ They read aloud from the book, the law of God, making it clear and explaining its meaning, so that the people grasped what was being read. ⁹ Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people told all the people, “Today is a holy day to Yahweh your God. Do not mourn and do not cry.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the law. ¹⁰ He said to them, “Go, eat rich dishes and drink sweet beverages, and send portions to whoever has nothing prepared, because this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be sorrowful, for the joy of Yahweh is your stronghold.” ¹¹ The Levites quieted all the people, telling them, “Hush, for the day is holy. Do not be sorrowful.” ¹² Then all the people went off to eat and drink, to send out portions, and to hold a great celebration, for they had grasped the words that had been made known to them. ¹³ The next day the heads of the families of all the people, together with the priests and the Levites, assembled around Ezra the scribe to gain insight into the words of the law.

Read all of Nehemiah 8