With her there is no partiality or preference: Something that is reliable is always steady as a rock; therefore it cannot favor one side or another. The pronoun her refers to “reliability.” We may render this clause as “Reliability does not allow for prejudice or favorites” or “Reliability [or, That which is reliable] shows no partiality or favoritism.”

But she does what is righteous: Righteous here refers to something dependable—not deceitful (unrighteous). So this clause may be translated “When something is reliable, you can depend on it.”

Instead of anything that is unrighteous or wicked may be expressed as “It will not be deceitful or wicked” or even “There will be no deceit or wickedness.”

All men approve her deeds may be rendered “Everyone approves of things that are reliable” or “Everyone approves what reliability does.”

An alternative model for this verse is:

• Reliability does not allow for prejudice or favorites. When something is reliable, you can depend on it. There will be no deceit or wickedness. Everyone approves of things that are reliable.

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.