37 So I took the five men, as he commanded me, and we went out into the field, and remained there. 38 It came to pass on the next day that, behold, a voice called me, saying, “Ezra, open your mouth, and drink what I give you to drink.”

39 Then opened I my mouth, and behold, a full cup was handed to me. It was full of something like water, but its colour was like fire. 40 I took it, and drank. When I had drunk it, my heart uttered understanding, and wisdom grew in my chest, for my spirit retained its memory. 41 My mouth was opened, and shut no more. 42 The Most High gave understanding to the five men, and they wrote by course the things that were told them, in characters[fn] which they didn’t know, and they sat forty days. Now they wrote in the day-time, and at night they ate bread. 43 As for me, I spoke in the day, and by night I didn’t hold my tongue. 44 So in forty days, ninety-four books were written.

45 It came to pass, when the forty days were fulfilled, that the Most High spoke to me, saying, “The first books that you have written, publish openly, and let the worthy and unworthy read them; 46 but keep the last seventy, that you may deliver them to those who are wise amongst your people; 47 for in them is the spring of understanding, the fountain of wisdom, and the stream of knowledge.”

48 I did so.