37. So I took the five men, as he commanded me, and we went forth into the field, and remained there.
38. And it came to pass on the morrow that, behold, a voice called me, saying, Esdras, open your mouth, and drink that I give you to drink.
39. Then opened I my mouth, and, behold, there was reached to me a full cup, which was full as it were with water, but the color 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 retained its memory:
41. and 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 which they knew not, 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 held not my tongue.
44. So in forty days were written fourscore and fourteen books.
45. And it came to pass, when the forty days were fulfilled, that the Most High spoke to me, saying, The first that you have written publish openly, and let the worthy and unworthy read it:
46. but keep the seventy last, that you may deliver them to such as be wise among your people:
47. for in them is the spring of understanding, the fountain of wisdom, and the stream of knowledge.