Remember your sons that sleep means the mother must think about her children who have died. The verb sleep is a euphemism for death. Good News Bible keeps this euphemism by saying “Remember your children who are asleep in their graves.” A model that removes it is “Remember [or, Think of] your children who are dead [or, no longer living].”

Because I will bring them out of the hiding places of the earth means God will resurrect the children who have died, he will bring them back to life. The hiding places of the earth refers to wherever they may be buried.

And will show mercy to them: In some languages it will be better to place this clause before the previous one (see the model below).

For I am merciful repeats the idea in will show mercy to them for emphasis. Both Good News Bible and Contemporary English Version omit this emphasis, but if possible, it should be kept (see the model below).

Says the Lord Almighty: See the comments on 2 Esd 1.14-15. Contemporary English Version omits this clause, but it is better to keep it (see the model below).

An alternative model for this verse is:

• Think of your children who are no longer living. I will have mercy on them and bring them out of their graves, from wherever they are buried. I will do this because I am merciful. I, the Lord All-Powerful, am saying this.

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.