Translation commentary on 2 Esdras 5:39

As for me, I am without wisdom, and how can I speak concerning the things which thou hast asked me?: This is another rhetorical question. As noted in the comments on the previous verse, Uriel did not ask Ezra to answer questions, but to do certain things (see verses 36-37). Good News Bible may serve as a model for this verse, but here is one that uses a statement, as in Contemporary English Version:

• I have no wisdom, so I do not know how to respond about the things you have asked me to do.”

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.

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