I was not sent against you by the Lord God may be rendered “The Lord God [or, the Chief who is God] did not send me to fight you” (similarly Good News Bible, Contemporary English Version).

For my war is at the Euphrates may be expressed as “I am going to the Euphrates River for a battle [or, to fight the Babylonians]” or “My enemies are at the Euphrates River” (Contemporary English Version). Good News Bible says “my battle is on the Euphrates River,” which sounds strange. The battle took place on one side of the river, not on the river.

And now the Lord is with me! The Lord is with me, urging me on!: The repetition of the Lord is with me, meaning “the Lord will help me,” is emphatic so translators should keep it if possible (see the model below). Good News Bible‘s translation is weakened by not doing so.

Stand aside, and do not oppose the Lord: Contemporary English Version says “so get out of my way! Don’t try to stop the Lord!”

An alternative model for this verse is:

• The Lord God has not sent me to fight you. I am going to the Euphrates River for a battle [or, to fight the Babylonians]. And the Lord is with me [or, helping me] now, urging me on. I want to emphasize that the Lord is with me. So get out of the way. Don’t oppose the Lord!”

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Esdras. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.