For if thou hast desired to have pity on us, who have no works of righteousness, then thou wilt be called merciful: The conjunction For may be omitted (so Good News Bible, Contemporary English Version). Who have no works of righteousness may be rendered “who have never done anything good” or “who are always sinful.” The passive construction thou wilt be called merciful may be translated “people will call you a merciful God.” Good News Bible provides a good model for this verse, but another possible one is:

• We have never done anything good [or, have always done evil], so if you take pity on us, that means that you are clearly a merciful God.

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.