During the time that they lived in it: The Latin text here is literally “In that time of delay,” which is not quite clear. Good News Bible probably has captured the correct sense with “While they lived on earth.”

They laboriously served the Most High: This clause does not imply that they worked in misery like slaves, but that they worked hard to serve God and do the right thing.

And withstood danger every hour may be rendered “even though they were in constant danger.”

That they might keep the law of the Lawgiver perfectly: The Lawgiver is God.

Here is a possible model for this verse:

• During their time on earth they worked hard to serve God, even though they were in constant danger. They overcame these difficulties, so that they might keep the Law of God the Lawgiver, and keep it perfectly.

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.