So let the multitude perish which has been born in vain: The multitude refers to “most of the people” or “the remaining people.” In vain means “to no purpose, uselessly.” The first half of this verse may be rendered “So let all those people perish, who had been born for no purpose” or “Most people had no reason for even living, so let them perish.”

But let my grape and my plant be saved may be translated “But I am going to save that one grape, that one tree.” The grape and plant are metaphors for God’s chosen people (see the previous verse). Some translators may wish to do away with the metaphors by saying “But let my chosen people be kept safe” (Good News Bible).

Because with much labor I have perfected them may be expressed as “because I have worked hard to make them as perfect as they are.”

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.