While the lion was saying these words to the eagle, I looked, and behold, the remaining head disappeared: For I looked, and behold, see the comments on 2 Esd 11.2. Good News Bible says “I looked and saw.” The remaining head was the right head of the eagle (see 2 Esd 11.35). Good News Bible and Contemporary English Version say “the last head.”

And the two wings that had gone over to it arose and set themselves up to reign: Contemporary English Version renders the two wings that had gone over to it as “the last two small wings that had moved under this head” (see 2 Esd 22.24). Revised Standard Version‘s textual footnote on arose is not needed since it involves a translational issue. Arose and set themselves up to reign may be combined by saying “rose up to govern” (Good News Bible) or “rose up to rule the world” (Contemporary English Version).

And their reign was brief and full of tumult may be rendered “But they ruled for only a short time and there was trouble everywhere.”

Good News Bible may be used as a clear model for verses 1-2.

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.