I said may be rendered “I answered” (Good News Bible, Contemporary English Version), since Ezra responds to Uriel’s questions.

Because you have forsaken me! may be translated “Because you left me” or “It’s because you left me alone” (Contemporary English Version).

I did as you directed, and went out into the field: See 2 Esd 9.24. Contemporary English Version says “I came out to this field just as you told me.”

And behold, I saw, and still see, what I am unable to explain: The city Ezra saw in verse 27 is still visible. Here the word behold places focus on the words that follow (see the comments on 2 Esd 6.18). I saw, and still see may be rendered “I had a vision, and I still see something.” What I am unable to explain may be expressed as “I have no idea what it means” or “I don’t understand what I am seeing.”

An alternative model for this verse is:

• I answered, “You left me! I did what you said. I came out into this field and had a vision, and I still see something. But I have no idea what it [all] means.”

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.