Until in his anger against his people because of their ungodly acts may be expressed as “Finally he became so angry with his people because of their sins against him” or “… because they sinned against him.”

He gave command to bring against them the kings of the Chaldeans: The Chaldeans are the Babylonians. Good News Bible so translates, and we suggest that other languages follow this model to ease the burden on the reader somewhat. If, however, an existing translation has used a separate term for Chaldeans, translators may use it here. This clause differs from the parallel passage in 2 Chr 36.17 in two interesting ways. First, 2 Chr 36.17 has “the king of the Chaldeans” instead of the kings of the Chaldeans. Nebuchadnezzar was the Babylonian king responsible for the conquest of Jerusalem in 587 B.C. Surprisingly, there is no textual variant giving the singular. Perhaps the author means by kings only “commanders.” At any rate, translators should translate “kings” because that is what the text says, no matter how problematic. Second, 2 Chr 36.17 has “he brought up against them” instead of he gave command to bring against them. This raises the question: Whom did God command? Actually, the Greek grammar of this clause can be interpreted much more simply as “he ordered the kings of Babylonia to invade [or, attack] them.”

Here are alternative models for verses 51-52:

• 51 But whenever the Lord would speak through his prophets, the people would only laugh [at them]. 52 Finally he became so angry with his people and their evil deeds that he ordered the kings of Babylonia to invade [or, attack] them.

• 51-52 But the people only laughed at his prophets. Finally, the Lord became so angry with his people and their evil deeds that he said to the kings of Babylonia, “You must attack the people of Judah.” On the very day that God gave this command, the people were laughing at his prophets.

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.