So also are the times of the Most High …: So also are may be rendered “and the same is true for” (Contemporary English Version; similarly Good News Bible) or “It will be the same way [or, the same principle will apply].” The times of the Most High refers to the end time, when God will act to bring an end to history. Good News Bible interprets this phrase to mean “the world above” (see its footnote), and Contemporary English Version is similar with “the heavenly world.” We think this interpretation is unlikely and suggest the following translation for this whole clause: “When God Most High decides to end the world, it will happen this way.”

The beginnings are manifest in wonders and mighty works may be rendered “In the beginning astounding and tremendous things [or, miracles] will happen.”

And the end in requital and in signs: The noun requital means “punishment.” Instead of requital, the Latin text has “acts” (so Revised Standard Version footnote), which we prefer. So this whole clause may be translated “and at the end God will act, and there will also be signs.”

An alternative model for this verse is:

• When God Most High decides to end the world, it will be the same way [or, the same principle will apply]. At the beginning astounding and tremendous things [or, miracles] will happen, and at the end there will also be signs, and God will act.

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.