For in truth there is no one among those who have been born who has not acted wickedly, and among those who have existed there is no one who has not transgressed: Compare 2 Esd 7.46. The Revised Standard Version footnote on this verse may be ignored. For in truth may be rendered “In fact” or even “I must emphasize that.” The two halves of this verse say essentially the same thing. No one among those who have been born and among those who have existed there is no one may be combined as follows: “there is no one who has ever lived on the earth” or simply “there is no one on earth.” Who has not acted wickedly and who has not transgressed may also be combined by saying “who has not has sinned.” Contemporary English Version provides the following condensed model of this verse:

• No one on earth has ever been perfect—everyone has sinned!

An alternative model is:

• In fact, every human being on earth has sinned, and this has always been the case [or, been true].

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.