The returned exiles listen attentively to the reading of God's word and are cut to the quick.  As they weep over their sin, Nehemiah and Ezra tell them that it is a day for rejoicing and send them out to celebrate.  God's word is a gift to us.  It reveals God and it exposes our sin leading to repentance.  When we repent, all of heaven rejoices because our sin is already paid for by Jesus and our repentance opens us to receive God's gift.