Ezra's motives were high and holy; in all that he did he was actuated by a deep love for souls. The compassion and tenderness that he revealed toward those who had sinned, either willfully or through ignorance, should be an object lesson to all who seek to bring about reforms. The servants of God are to be as firm as a rock where right principles are involved; and yet, withal, they are to manifest sympathy and forbearance. Like Ezra, they are to teach transgressors the way of life by calculating principles that are the foundation of all rightdoing.

Ezra havde høje og hellige motiver. Alle hans handlinger udsprang af en dyb kærlighed til sjæle. Alle, der forsøger at indføre reformer, bør tage ved lære af den medfølelse og ømhed, som han viste de mennesker, der havde syndet, hvad enten det var med vilje eller af uvidenhed. Guds tjenere bør ikke vige en tomme, når det gælder om at hævde retfærdighedens principper, men de bør under alle forhold være medfølende og tålmodige. De skal ligesom Ezra lære synderne livets vej at kende ved at indprente dem de principper, der danner grundlaget for den rette vandel.