Good News Bible joins the first part of verse 46 to the previous verse and the last part to the next verse (so also Contemporary English Version). This restructuring works well, and we recommend it.

Then they dwelt there until the last times; and now, when they are about to come again: The last times refers to the end times. Good News Bible says “these last days,” which is not quite accurate. A better model for verse 46 is “and they have lived there ever since. When the last days come and they are about to return home” or “where they have lived ever since. Before the end of time they will come back home” (Contemporary English Version).

The Most High will stop the channels of the river again, so that they may be able to pass over: See verse 44. The Revised Standard Version footnote here refers to a translational matter, so it is not necessary. The Latin text has the present tense verb “stops,” but the future tense verb will stop fits this context better. Will stop the channels of the river flowing again may be translated “will once again stop the river flowing” or “will once again make the river stop flowing.” Pass over may be expressed as “cross over” (Good News Bible).

Therefore you saw the multitude gathered together in peace: The conjunction Therefore is not correct here. A better connector is “That is the meaning of” (Good News Bible). You saw the multitude gathered together in peace may be rendered “the great crowd of peace-loving people you saw in your dream.” Contemporary English Version is even more specific with “the large and peaceful crowd you saw gathered around God’s Son.”

An alternative model for verses 46-47 is:

• 46 where they have lived ever since. When the last days come and they [or, the ten tribes] start returning [or, coming back] home, 47 God Most High will once again stop the flow of the river [or, make the river stop flowing], so that they can cross over. That is the meaning of the great crowd of peace-loving people you saw in your dream.

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.