I answered and said may be rendered simply “Then I said” (Good News Bible).

If I have found favor in thy sight …: See the comments on 2 Esd 4.44. This sentence continues into the next verse, but Good News Bible breaks it into two smaller units, which we recommend.

Show further to me: This clause and the previous one may be rendered “May I ask another question?” or “Would you please answer another question for me?” (Contemporary English Version).

With the phrase thy servant Ezra refers to himself, showing more deference to God. In some languages it will be good style to keep this phrase. Good News Bible expresses it by beginning with the word “Sir.”

Whether on the day of judgment the righteous will be able to intercede for the ungodly or to entreat the Most High for them: Here Ezra asks a new question, in his concern for the fate of the wicked. Can their eternal fate be changed for the better if righteous people ask God to show them mercy on Judgment Day? For the day of judgment, see verse 38. The verbs intercede and entreat have the same meaning. For the Most High, see the comments on 2 Esd 3.3. The pronoun them refers to the ungodly. A possible model for this question is “Can the righteous help the ungodly by asking God Most High to show them compassion.”

Here is a possible model for this verse:

• Then I said to Uriel, “Please, sir, may I ask another question? When Judgment Day comes, can the righteous help the wicked by asking God Most High to have mercy on them?

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.