I say this ¹  so you will not corrupt yourselves by making an image in the form of any kind of figure. This includes the likeness of a human male or female,

Jesus told them this parable, ¹  but they ²  did not understand ³  what he was saying to them.

To discern ¹  the meaning of ²  a proverb and a parable, ³  the sayings of the wise ⁴  and their ⁵  riddles. ⁶ 

His disciples said, “Look, now you are speaking plainly ¹  and not in obscure figures of speech! ² 

Leah’s eyes were tender, ¹  but Rachel had a lovely figure and beautiful appearance.) ² 

Above the platform over their heads was something like a sapphire shaped like a throne. High above on the throne was a form that appeared to be a man.

trying to learn ¹  what is pleasing to the Lord.

A carpenter takes measurements; ¹  he marks out an outline of its form; ²  he scrapes ³  it with chisels, and marks it with a compass. He patterns it after the human form, ⁴  like a well-built human being, and puts it in a shrine. ⁵ 

As I watched, I noticed ¹  a form that appeared to be a man. ²  From his waist downward was something like fire, ³  and from his waist upward something like a brightness, ⁴  like an amber glow. ⁵ 

For no one who seeks to make a reputation for himself ¹  does anything in secret. ²  If you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.”

Let us evaluate ¹  for ourselves what is right; ²  let us come to know among ourselves what is good.

When I tried to make sense of this, it was troubling to me. ¹ 

Do not plot ¹  evil against your neighbor when ²  he dwells by you unsuspectingly.

Then the one who appeared to be a human being touched me again ¹  and strengthened me.

He said to them, “Out of the one who eats came something to eat; out of the strong one came something sweet.” They could not solve the riddle for three days.

Likewise one of the second cherub’s wings was seven and one-half feet long and touched the other wall of the temple; its other wing was also seven and one-half feet long and touched one of the first cherub’s wings. ¹ 

And this prefigured baptism, which now saves you ¹  – not the washing off of physical dirt ²  but the pledge ³  of a good conscience to God – through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

“Yes, God is great – beyond our knowledge! ¹  The number of his years is unsearchable.

Tell us what we should ¹  say to him. We cannot prepare a case ²  because of the darkness.

You prove to be reliable ¹  to one who is blameless, but you prove to be deceptive ²  to one who is perverse. ³