I answered and said: Translators should again indicate that Ezra is talking to the angel Uriel; for example, this clause may be rendered “I said to the angel Uriel.”

If I have found favor in thy sight, O Lord: These words indicate that Ezra is pleading with the angel (see the comments on 2 Esd 4.44). Good News Bible says “Sir, may I ask you, please.” For addressing an angel as Lord, see the comments on 2 Esd 2.44.

Show this also to thy servant: With the phrase thy servant Ezra refers to himself, showing more deference to God. This clause may be combined with the previous one by saying “Sir, please answer another question for me” (Contemporary English Version) or “Sir, please may I ask you this [or, a question].”

Whether after death, as soon as every one of us yields up his soul: This whole clause refers to death, which Good News Bible makes clear by saying “what happens when we die, when each of us must give back our soul?” Contemporary English Version is similar with “What happens to us after we give up our soul and die?”

We shall be kept in rest until those times come when thou wilt renew the creation: The end time is described here as a new creative act (compare Isa 65.17; 66.22). This clause may be translated “Will God make us rest [or, wait] until he begins his new creation?” or even “Will God keep us safe until he creates the new world?”

Or whether we shall be tormented at once?: The question here is whether when we die, we face hell immediately, or will there be a period of time in between our death and the judgment.

An alternative model for this verse is:

• I then said to Uriel, “Sir, please, may I ask you this [question]. When we die, when we leave this life [or, give up our souls], are we going to go to hell immediately, or will we wait until God begins his new creation?”

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.