9 And Ne·he·miʹah,+ that is, the Tir·shaʹtha,+ and Ezʹra+ the priest, the copyist, and the Levites who were instructing the people proceeded to say to all the people: “This very day is holy to Jehovah YOUR God.+ Do not mourn or weep.”+ For all the people were weeping as they were hearing the words of the law.+

3 In its streets they have girded on sackcloth.+ Upon the roofs+ thereof* and in the public squares thereof everyone thereof howls, going down with weeping.+

17 “Between the porch and the altar+ let the priests, the ministers of Jehovah, weep and say, ‘Do feel sorry, O Jehovah, for your people, and do not make your inheritance a reproach,+ for nations to rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples: “Where is their God?”’+