This verse has a long conditional clause. The conclusion to this conditional clause is in the next verse. See our models of this verse at the end of the discussion on verse 8.

And he said to me: Contemporary English Version has simply “Uriel replied.”

If I had asked you may be rendered “Suppose I asked you.” This quote frame introduces a quote within a quote. Good News Bible uses indirect speech for the embedded quote, which other languages may find helpful.

How many dwellings are in the heart of the sea…?: Uriel asks five questions in this embedded quote. In this first one dwellings refers to places where living things can live—not just humans. A possible model for this question is “How many things live at the bottom of the ocean?” (similarly Contemporary English Version).

Or how many streams are at the source of the deep: Streams … at the source of the deep refers to underground springs that fill the oceans or even are under the earth (compare Gen 7.11). Deep renders the same Latin word translated “depths” in 2 Esd 3.18 (see the comments there). This question may be rendered “How many undersea streams fill the ocean?”

Or how many streams are above the firmament: Streams … above the firmament refers to the courses/orbits of the stars and planets in the sky (so Myers, Stone). The Latin word for streams is literally “veins.” The word for firmament means “sky.” A possible model for this question is “How many stars make their way across the sky?” Good News Bible follows a different interpretation for this question, saying “How many rivers are there above the dome of the sky?” Contemporary English Version is similar with “or how much water is held in the sky.” Translators may follow either interpretation, but we prefer the first one.

Or which are the exits of hell, or which are the entrances of paradise: The words of hell, or which are the entrances are not in the Latin text, but are supplied from other ancient translations. These words are probably original, and should be translated as part of the text. A footnote is not necessary. Hell probably refers to Hades or the world of the dead, the Old Testament Sheol, rather than the place of eternal torment referred to in the New Testament. Ezra would have been expecting to go to Sheol. So or which are the exits of hell may be rendered “Where are the doors for leaving the world of the dead [or, Hades/Sheol].” The next verse makes it clear that paradise refers to heaven, where the righteous live with God (see Luke 23.43). In some languages it will be necessary to speak of “heaven” (Contemporary English Version) if the idea of paradise is unknown.

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.