The Greek word rendered Behold places focus on what follows. Good News Bible omits it, but it should be kept. Behold may be translated “Look at us!” or simply “See!”

We are now before thee in our iniquities means that as the Jews stand before God they once again appear as sinners. This clause may be rendered “We stand before you as sinners” or simply “We are sinners.”

For we can no longer stand in thy presence because of these things means that they are unworthy to stand before God, to approach him, that is, to worship him, or ask anything of him. The conjunction for is better rendered “so” or “and” (Contemporary English Version). These things refers to their sins.

This verse ends Ezra’s prayer and his firsthand account, so single and double quotation marks should end it. We begin our model of this verse with the conjunction “But” in order to make it fit with the end of verse 88. The people have survived, yes, but still they are sinners:

• But look at us. We are sinners, and we are not worthy to approach [or, worship] you.’ ”

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.