And there is only one path lying between them, that is, between the fire and the water, so that only one man can walk upon that path: This verse repeats most of verse 7, and the translator’s challenge is to find a different way to say it. The following model for it is based on Contemporary English Version:

• The path to the city is so narrow that only one person can walk on it at a time.

Another possible model is:

• That is the only way to get into the city. You have to walk between the fire and water on a path so narrow that there is room for only one person.

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.