Many have perished, or stumbled, or sinned, because of women: Many have perished may be rendered “Many men have died.” The verb stumbled is not to be taken literally. Here it refers to taking a wrong turn in life, making serious mistakes. Sinned is understood by Good News Bible and Contemporary English Version to mean engaging in criminal activity, which is not being too specific, and is probably the right meaning. Here are alternative models for this verse:

• Many men have died, have made serious mistakes, or have even become criminals, because of their love for a woman.

• Women have caused the deaths of many men, and caused many others to make serious mistakes, even to become criminals.

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.