Islamic scriptures). Reading in the ancient world was done aloud (Acts 8:28; cf. G. Hendricksson, “Ancient Reading,” Classical Journal 25 [1929–30]: 182–96, W.P. Clark, “Ancient Reading,” Classical Journal 26 [1930–31]: 698–700). “Making it clear” (mep̱ōrāš) translates the Pual participle of the verb pāraš, a form that occurs only here (cf. the Aramaic Pael passive participle mep̱āraš in Ezra 4:18). Many would derive its meaning from the sense “to separate,” “to determine,” hence “to make