All the people gathered together at the square in front of the Water Gate. They asked the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses that the LORD had given Israel. On the first day of the seventh month, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly of men, women, and all who could listen with understanding. While he was facing the square in front of the Water Gate, he read out of it from daybreak until noon before the men, the women, and those who could understand. All the people listened attentively to the book of the law.

Nehemiah 8:1-3
The LORD spoke to Moses: “Tell the Israelites: In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you are to have a day of complete rest, commemoration, and trumpet blasts  — a sacred assembly. You must not do any daily work, but you must present a food offering to the LORD.”

Leviticus 23:23-25
Ezra opened the book in full view of all the people, since he was elevated above everyone. As he opened it, all the people stood up. Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and with their hands uplifted all the people said, “Amen, Amen!” Then they knelt low and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

Nehemiah 8:5-6
Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah, who were Levites, explained the law to the people as they stood in their places. They read out of the book of the law of God, translating and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was read.

Nehemiah 8:7-8
Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

Psalm 119:105
Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation

1 Peter 2:2
He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. ”

Matthew 4:4
Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like someone looking at his own face in a mirror.

James 1:23
For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12
“Is not my word like fire” — this is the LORD’s declaration — “and like a hammer that pulverizes rock?

Jeremiah 23:29
Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all of them, “This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law.

Nehemiah 8:9
Then he said to them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, because the joy of the LORD is your strength.” And the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still, since today is holy. Don’t grieve.” Then all the people began to eat and drink, send portions, and have a great celebration, because they had understood the words that were explained to them.

Nehemiah 8:10-12
On the second day, the family heads of all the people, along with the priests and Levites, assembled before the scribe Ezra to study the words of the law. They found written in the law how the LORD had commanded through Moses that the Israelites should dwell in shelters during the festival of the seventh month. So they proclaimed and spread this news throughout their towns and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the hill country and bring back branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees to make shelters, just as it is written.” The people went out, brought back branches, and made shelters for themselves on each of their rooftops and courtyards, the court of the house of God, the square by the Water Gate, and the square by the Ephraim Gate. The whole community that had returned from exile made shelters and lived in them. The Israelites had not celebrated like this from the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day. And there was tremendous joy.

Nehemiah 8:13-17
For this reason, we must pay attention all the more to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away.

Hebrews 2:1
[quote]Man cannot live without joy; when he is deprived of true spiritual joys it is necessary that he
become addicted to carnal pleasures. – Thomas Aquinas[/quote]
You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures.

Pslam 16:11
[quote]“The pain of sacrificing our old selves is nothing compared to the joy of Christ living in us in
our transformed lives.” AW Tozer[/quote]
“As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commands you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. “I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.

John 15:9-11