The fourth way, they shall consider the torment laid up for themselves in the last days: Good News Bible may be confidently followed here. The verb laid up (Good News Bible “stored up”) is repeated from the last verse, this time with reference to the punishment of the wicked. Their punishment is in store, ready and waiting. During the final judgment, that is, the last days, they will get it. Possible models for this verse are:

• Fourth, they think about the torment that is stored up for them, which they will get in the last days.

• In the fourth step they think about how God is going to torment [or, punish] them in the last days.

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.