For they also received freedom, but they despised the Most High, and were contemptuous of his law, and forsook his ways: Compare 2 Esd 7.127-130; 9.10-12. The conjunction For introduces why Ezra should not ask questions about the wicked, who will perish. Good News Bible renders they also received freedom as “they had the opportunity to choose,” but a clearer model is “they had the freedom to live righteously [or, good lives] as every one else.” They despised the Most High may be rendered “they had no respect for God Most High.” Were contemptuous of his law may be translated “had only contempt for his Law.” Forsook his ways may be expressed as “wouldn’t walk on his paths” or “didn’t follow his ways.” A model of this verse that views God as the speaker (so Contemporary English Version) is:

• For they were just as free to live righteously as anyone else, but they had no respect for me, God Most High. They had nothing but contempt for my Law, and did not follow my ways.

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.