For if you acknowledge the decree of God to be just: The connector For may be omitted (so Good News Bible, Contemporary English Version). The decree of God refers to his “decision” (Good News Bible) to let the woman’s son die. This clause may be rendered “If you accept that what God has done is fair [or, just]” or “If you will admit that what God has done is fair.”

You will receive your son back in due time: This may be a promise of another son to take the place of the one who has died, but in all probability Ezra is referring to the resurrection of the woman’s son in due time, that is, when God chooses. This clause may be translated “God will give you your son back at the time he chooses.”

And will be praised among women: If the woman represents Jerusalem, whose righteous people will inherit eternal life, then this clause means Jerusalem will be the envy of all other cities, since only her children will rise to eternal life (compare 2 Esd 2.15-17). The Christian writer of the introduction in chapters 1–2 clearly interpreted this passage as referring to the resurrection of the righteous dead (which to him are Christians, rather than the righteous of Israel).

Here is a possible model for this verse:

• If you accept that what God has done is fair, you will get your son back at a time that God chooses, and other women will praise [or, envy] 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.