To them I will give as leaders Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and Hosea and Amos and Micah and Joel and Obadiah and Jonah and Nahum and Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi: The first three names here are the three patriarchs of Israel, and the other twelve are the so-called “minor” prophets. Perhaps the writer is saying that the Christians who are to come will take as their spiritual guides all of those who led the people of Israel throughout history, from beginning to end.

Who is also called the messenger of the Lord refers to Malachi. The Hebrew name Malachi means “my messenger.” Since the Lord is speaking here, Contemporary English Version renders Malachi, who is also called the messenger of the Lord as “my messenger Malachi,” which some languages may find helpful.

Good News Bible provides a good model for this verse.

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.