Therefore unless the living pass through the difficult and vain experiences: The conjunction Therefore introduces a conclusion. The word experiences is supplied by Revised Standard Version while Good News Bible has supplied “ways.” The word “ways” in Good News Bible does not translate a particular word, such as we suggested as a solution to a textual problem in verses 13-14. The Latin expression for the difficult and vain experiences is literally “these narrow and vain [things].” New Revised Standard Version renders vain as “futile,” which we prefer in this context. Good News Bible says “meaningless.” Another possible model is “that produce no results.” This whole clause may be rendered “Everyone must therefore pass through this narrow and futile existence” (similarly Revised English Bible).

They can never receive those things that have been reserved for them: For those things that have been reserved for them, compare 1 Cor 2.9; Eph 2.10; Col 1.5. The passive clause may be translated “those things that God has reserved [or, kept] for them.”

Here is a possible model for this verse:

• Therefore every living person must have these difficult experiences that produce no results. If not, they will never receive the good things stored away for them [or, that God has kept for them] in the world to come.

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.