36
Let no man therefore come unto me now, nor seek after me these forty days.
37
So I took the five men, as he commanded me, and we went into the field, and remained there.
38
And the next day, behold, a voice called me, saying, Esdras, open thy mouth, and drink that I give thee to drink.
39
Then opened I my mouth, and, behold, he reached me a full cup, which was full as it were with water, but the colour of it was like fire.
40
And I took it, and drank: and when I had drunk of it, my heart uttered understanding, and wisdom grew in my breast, for my spirit strengthened my memory:
41
And my mouth was opened, and shut no more.
42
The Highest gave understanding unto the five men, and they wrote the wonderful visions of the night that were told, which they knew not: and they sat forty days, and they wrote in the day, and at night they ate bread.
43
As for me. I spake in the day, and I held not my tongue by night.
44
In forty days they wrote two hundred and four books.
45
And it came to pass, when the forty days were filled, that the Highest spake, saying, The first that thou hast written publish openly, that the worthy and unworthy may read it:
46
But keep the seventy last, that thou mayest deliver them only to such as be wise among the people: