Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
NIV
Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.
AMP
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
KJV
You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you possess eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me,
NIV
You search and investigate and pore over the Scriptures diligently, because you suppose and trust that you have eternal life through them. And these [very Scriptures] testify about Me!
AMP
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
KJV
I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
NIV
And [you have heard how] I outstripped many of the men of my own generation among the people of my race in [my advancement in study and observance of the laws of] Judaism, so extremely enthusiastic and zealous I was for the traditions of my ancestors.
AMP
And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
KJV
For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.
NIV
For Ezra had prepared and set his heart to seek the Law of the Lord [to inquire for it and of it, to require and yearn for it], and to do and teach in Israel its statutes and its ordinances.
AMP
For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
KJV
I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens. What a heavy burden God has laid on the human race!
NIV
And I applied myself by heart and mind to seek and search out by [human] wisdom all human activity under heaven. It is a miserable business which God has given to the sons of man with which to busy themselves.
AMP
And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.
KJV
On the second day of the month, the heads of all the families, along with the priests and the Levites, gathered around Ezra the teacher to give attention to the words of the Law.
NIV
On the second day, all the heads of fathers' houses, with the priests and Levites, gathered to Ezra the scribe to study and understand the words of divine instruction.
AMP
And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law.
KJV
You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: "Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?"
NIV
Who by the mouth of our forefather David, Your servant and child, said through the Holy Spirit, Why did the heathen (Gentiles) become wanton and insolent and rage, and the people imagine and study and plan vain (fruitless) things [that will not succeed]?
AMP
Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
KJV
"Consider carefully what you hear," he continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you – and even more."
NIV
And He said to them, Be careful what you are hearing. The measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you--and more [besides] will be given to you who hear.
AMP
And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.
KJV
And to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you
NIV
To make it your ambition and definitely endeavor to live quietly and peacefully, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we charged you
AMP
And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
KJV
Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.
NIV
But about going further [than the words given by one Shepherd], my son, be warned. Of making many books there is no end [so do not believe everything you read], and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
AMP
And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
KJV
