I answered and said may be rendered simply “I replied” or “I said” (Contemporary English Version). Ezra responds to what the angel Uriel just said.

O sovereign Lord, I said then and I say now: Blessed are those who are alive and keep thy commandments! Compare 2 Esd 9.15. Ezra’s reference to what he said before is probably to verse 17. For addressing an angel as Lord, see the comments on 2 Esd 2.44. Blessed may be translated “fortunate” as in “People … are fortunate indeed.” The pronoun thy refers to God, but since he is not being addressed directly, some languages may prefer to render thy commandments as “God’s commandments.” Once again the writer makes no distinction between God and the angel who delivers God’s message.

Revised Standard Version follows the Syriac text for this verse, as seen in its footnote. We see no need for this, and use the Latin text in the following model:

• I replied, “Sir, let me say again what I said earlier: People now living who keep your [or, God’s] commandments are fortunate indeed [or, very fortunate people].

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.