KJV ORIGINAL
So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, 'Be quiet and stop crying, because today is a holy day; don't be sad.'
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
The Levites are telling the people to stop weeping and be joyful because this is a sacred day meant for celebration, not mourning.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs when Ezra read God's Law to the Jewish people who had returned from exile in Babylon. As they heard the Scripture, the people began weeping, likely from conviction about their sins and how far they had strayed from God's commands. The religious leaders redirected their grief toward joy, emphasizing that this day of hearing God's Word should be celebrated rather than mourned.
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