| Nehemiah 8:10
| And he said to them: Go, eat fat meats, and drink sweet wine, and send portions to them that have not prepared for themselves: because it is the holy day of the Lord, and be not sad: for the joy of the Lord is our strength.
| Wine. Hebrew and Septuagint, "things." Syriac and Arabic have simply, "drink." --- Portions. The Greeks styled them, merides; and the Latins, sportulae. The custom prevailed not only among the Jews, (Esther 9:19.) but also among Christians and pagans. Moses frequently exhorts the people to invite the poor; (Deuteronomy 16:14.) and St. Paul blames the rich Corinthians, for giving no part of their feast to them, 1 Corinthians 11:21. --- Strength. By this holy joy, we shall be encouraged to perform all our duties. (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "Be not downcast, because he (the Lord) is our strength." (Haydock)
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