Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. ¹  There is no end to the making ²  of many books, and much study is exhausting to the body. ³ 

The Lord’s deeds are great, eagerly awaited ¹  by all who desire them.

Now Ezra had dedicated himself ¹  to the study of the law of the Lord, to its observance, and to teaching ²  its statutes and judgments in Israel.

Then the Jewish leaders ¹  were astonished ²  and said, “How does this man know so much when he has never had formal instruction?” ³ 

“So listen to the parable of the sower:

The heart of the righteous considers ¹  how ²  to answer, ³  but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. ⁴ 

On the second day of the month the family leaders ¹  met with ²  Ezra the scribe, together with all the people, the priests, and the Levites, to consider the words of the law.

Seek the Lord and the strength he gives! Seek his presence ¹  continually!

“For inquire now of the former ¹  generation, and pay attention ²  to the findings ³  of their ancestors; ⁴ 

I will meditate on ¹  your precepts and focus ²  on your behavior. ³ 

Not only was the Teacher wise, ¹  but he also taught knowledge to the people; he carefully evaluated ²  and arranged ³  many proverbs.

You study the scriptures thoroughly ¹  because you think in them you possess eternal life, ²  and it is these same scriptures ³  that testify about me,

Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately. ¹ 

Now be sure to make ¹  them according to the pattern you were shown ²  on the mountain. ³ 

The rest of the events of Abijah’s reign, including his deeds and sayings, ¹  are recorded in the writings of the prophet Iddo.

Instead ¹  he finds pleasure in obeying the Lord’s commands; ²  he meditates on ³  his commands ⁴  day and night.

Then you must recall the Lord’s instructions and the prophetic testimony of what would happen. ¹  Certainly they say such things because their minds are spiritually darkened. ² 

¹ O Lord, reflect on ²  what has happened to us; consider ³  and look at ⁴  our disgrace.

But I do not allow ¹  a woman to teach or exercise authority ²  over a man. She must remain quiet. ³ 

And let us take thought of how to spur one another on to love and good works, ¹