¹¹ Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.

⁹ For on the first [day] of the first month began he to go up from Babylon; and on the first [day] of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God on him.

¹⁰ For Ezra had set his heart to seek the law of Yahweh, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and ordinances.

¹¹ Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, even the scribe of the words of the commandments of Yahweh, and of his statutes to Israel:

¹⁵ From infancy, you have known the sacred writings which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.

¹⁶ Every writing inspired by God{literally, God-breathed} is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction which is in righteousness,

¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

¹³ Until I come, pay attention to reading, to exhortation, and to teaching.

¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to my feet, And a light for my path.

¹⁵ Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn't need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.

¹ The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:

² To know wisdom and instruction; To discern the words of understanding;

³ To receive instruction in wise dealing, In righteousness, justice, and equity;

⁴ To give prudence to the simple, Knowledge and discretion to the young man:

⁵ That the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; That the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel:

⁶ To understand a proverb, and parables, The words and riddles of the wise.

⁷ The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; But the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

⁷ I will give thanks to you with uprightness of heart, When I learn your righteous judgments.

²⁴ Jesus answered them, "Isn't this because you are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God?

¹⁷ You therefore, beloved, knowing these things beforehand, beware lest, being carried away with the error of the wicked, you fall from your own steadfastness.

¹⁸ But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

¹ My son, don't forget my teaching; But let your heart keep my commandments:

² For length of days, and years of life, And peace, will they add to you.

³ Don't let kindness and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart.

⁶ My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, That you may be no priest to me. Because you have your God's law, I will also forget your children.

⁹⁷ How love I your law! It is my meditation all day.

⁹⁸ Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, For your commandments are always with me.

⁹⁹ I have more understanding than all my teachers, For your testimonies are my meditation.

¹⁰⁰ I understand more than the aged, Because I have kept your precepts.

⁹ How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.

¹⁰ With my whole heart, I have sought you. Don't let me wander from your commandments.

¹¹ I have hidden your word in my heart, That I might not sin against you.

¹² Blessed are you, Yahweh. Teach me your statutes.

¹³ With my lips, I have declared all the ordinances of your mouth.

¹⁴ I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, As much as in all riches.

¹⁵ I will meditate on your precepts, And consider your ways.

¹⁶ I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word.

¹⁷ Do good to your servant. I will live and I will obey your word.

¹⁰ Concerning this salvation, the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,

¹¹ searching for who or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ, which was in them, pointed to, when he predicted the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that would follow them.

¹² To them it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to you, did they minister these things, which now have been announced to you through those who preached the Gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent out from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.

²⁰ To the law and to the testimony! if they don't speak according to this word, surely there is no morning for them.

⁴ For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through patience and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

³⁹ "You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify about me.

²³ For the commandment is a lamp, And the law is light. Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,

¹³ Take firm hold of instruction. Don't let her go. Keep her, for she is your life.