Yet their reward has not appeared and their labor has borne no fruit: The pronoun their refers to the Jews. Again, it may be better to use first person plural pronouns for them. Models of this sentence that do this are “But we have still not been rewarded for our faithfulness. All our work for you has been useless” and “But you have still not rewarded us for serving you faithfully. Everything we have done for you has been useless.”

For I have traveled widely among the nations: The conjunction For may be omitted (so Good News Bible, Contemporary English Version). Among the nations may be rendered “in other countries.”

And have seen that they abound in wealth may be translated “and I have seen that their people are fabulously wealthy [or, extremely rich].”

Though they are unmindful of thy commandments may be expressed as “but they pay no attention to your laws.”

Here are alternative models for this verse:

• But we have still not been rewarded for our faithfulness. All our work for you has been useless. I have traveled widely, and I have seen other nations that are fabulously wealthy, but pay no attention at all to your commandments.

• But you have still not rewarded us for serving you faithfully. All the work we have done for you has been useless. I have traveled through many countries, and have seen how their people are extremely rich, but they pay no….

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.