Now some of the experts in the law ¹  were sitting there, turning these things over in their minds: ² 

The chief priests and the experts in the law ¹  were there, vehemently accusing him. ² 

On the next day, ¹  their rulers, elders, and experts in the law ²  came together ³  in Jerusalem. ⁴ 

So I sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, ¹  Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam, who were leaders, and Joiarib and Elnathan, who were teachers.

The Teacher says: I discovered this while trying to discover the scheme of things, item by item.

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

The overseer ¹  then must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, ²  temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher,

And the Lord’s slave ¹  must not engage in heated disputes ²  but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient,

Older women likewise are to exhibit behavior fitting for those who are holy, not slandering, not slaves to excessive drinking, but teaching what is good.

¹ “Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, a scribe of the perfect law of the God of heaven:

Who comprehends ¹  the mind ²  of the Lord, or gives him instruction as his counselor? ³ 

Then ¹  some of the experts in the law ²  said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming!” ³ 

The disciples asked him, ¹  “Why then do the experts in the law ²  say that Elijah must come first?”

In ¹  the same way even the chief priests – together with the experts in the law ²  and elders ³  – were mocking him: ⁴ 

Now ¹  the Pharisees ²  and some of the experts in the law ³  who came from Jerusalem ⁴  gathered around him.

Then ¹  they asked him, ²  “Why do the experts in the law ³  say that Elijah must come first?”

When they came to the disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and experts in the law ¹  arguing with them.

Then ¹  they led Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests and elders and experts in the law ²  came together.

But ¹  the Pharisees ²  and the experts in the law ³  were complaining, ⁴  “This man welcomes ⁵  sinners and eats with them.”

The ¹  chief priests and the experts in the law ²  were trying to find some way ³  to execute ⁴  Jesus, ⁵  for they were afraid of the people. ⁶