Just as they have done to my elect until this day, so will I do, and will repay into their bosom: My elect refers to God’s chosen people, the Jews. Repay into their bosom is an idiomatic expression, meaning essentially “repay.” The Latin word for bosom (sinus) refers to an indentation of almost any kind, for example, an indentation on a coastline. It can refer to the deep folds in a garment or to the “lap” of a person, which is actually a better a translation here than bosom. The word bosom is probably used in the sense of a garment covering the chest, with folds or pockets enough to contain objects such as coins. Compare Luke 6.38, where this same idiom is used in the Latin version. New English Bible translates repay into their bosom as “pay them back in their own coin.” Good News Bible reflects the meaning rather well with “pay them back with the same harsh treatment they have always given.” Contemporary English Version is similar with “treat them as harshly as they have treated.”

Thus says the Lord God is a traditional formula for a prophet who is sent by God to deliver a message to his people. It tells where the message comes from and established the authority of the prophet. Compare the comments on “says the Lord” at 2Esdras 15.5 (see 2 Esd 1.12 also). Contemporary English Version omits this quote frame, but it should be kept in some way.

My right hand will not spare the sinners: God’s right hand is a metaphor for his power. Good News Bible uses nonfigurative language by rendering this clause as “I will use my power, and there will be no mercy for sinners.”

And my sword will not cease from those who shed innocent blood on the earth: Here the word sword is an image for execution (see the comments on 1 Esd 1.53). God will always execute those who murder innocent people. Once again, Good News Bible uses nonfigurative language, saying “I will put to death all who have murdered innocent people.”

Good News Bible may serve as a model for both these verses.

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.