For behold, I will go, as thou hast commanded me: The connector For may be omitted (so Good News Bible, Contemporary English Version). For the word behold, which highlights the following words, see the comments on 2 Esd 6.18. I will go, as thou hast commanded me may be rendered “I will leave this world just as you have commanded me” or “I will do just as you say, and leave this world.”

And I will reprove the people who are now living: See verse 13. As there, the verb reprove means “give my parting [or, last] advice to.”

But who will warn those who will be born hereafter?: Contemporary English Version says “But who will warn those who will be born after I’m gone?”

For the world lies in darkness, and its inhabitants are without light: The conjunction For introduces the reason why Ezra asks the question. The people of the world do not have a light to guide them in their darkness. The world lies in darkness may be translated “This world is a dark place.” The light refers to God’s Law, the Torah (compare Psa 119.105; Pro 6.23). Contemporary English Version uses less figurative language for this sentence, saying “This world is a dark and sinful place, and its people need to be shown what is right.” This model may be helpful for some languages.

We suggest the following model for this verse:

• Yes, I will do just as you say, and leave this world. And I will give my parting advice to the people who are living. But what about people yet to be born? Who will tell them what to do? For this world is a dark place, and its people have no light.

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.