Likewise also the plan of the waves of the sea: This clause implies “was in vain” from the previous verse. Good News Bible makes this idea explicit by saying “And the plotting of the sea was just as useless.” Contemporary English Version is similar with “And the plan made by the sea was just as useless.”

For the sand stood firm and stopped them: Compare Jer 5.22. Good News Bible provides a useful model here, although translators may wish to make clear that the sand is the sand along the beach; for example, Contemporary English Version says “because the sand along the shore blocked its way.”

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.