Now concerning the signs: For the signs, see the comments on 2 Esd 4.52. Since this verse begins a new chapter, it will be helpful to render this whole phrase as “Here is what I can say about the signs that point to the end of time.” Contemporary English Version says “I will show you the signs that show the end of time is coming soon.”

The word Behold highlights what follows. Good News Bible omits it, but it would be better to express it in some way. Myers has “Look now.”

The days are coming: Good News Bible says “The time will come.”

When those dwell on earth shall be seized with great terror may be rendered “when people living on earth will be struck with panic” or even “… will be full of fear.” For those who dwell on earth, see the comments on 2 Esd 4.39. The Latin text at the point of the word rendered terror is unclear, so we prefer following either the Syriac or the Ethiopic version here (see the Revised Standard Version and Good News Bible footnotes).

And the way of truth shall be hidden may be translated “No one will be able to learn the truth [about God]” or possibly “No one will be able to find the right thing to do.”

And the land shall be barren of faith may be expressed as “No one will have any faith” or “… will believe in God.”

Here is an alternative model for this verse:

• “Here is what I can say about the signs that show the end of time is coming soon: Note the time will come when the people living on earth will be struck with panic. No one will be able to find the right thing to do, and no one will have faith [in God].

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.