For whereas you have said that the righteous are not many but few, while the ungodly abound, hear the explanation for this: Here Uriel responds to Ezra’s remark in verse 47. For whereas you have said that may be rendered simply “You say that.” Not many but few may be translated “very few.” While the ungodly abound may be expressed as “but there are a great many ungodly people [or, people who do not worship God].” Here the explanation for this may be rendered “Let me tell you why this is so” or “Please listen to my explanation.” An alternative model for this verse is:

• You say that there are very few righteous people, but a great many ungodly people. Let me tell you why this is so.

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.