But though our fathers received the law, they did not keep it, and did not observe the statutes: In this verse Ezra reflects on what God said in verses 30-31. Did not keep it and did not observe the statutes have the same meaning and may be combined into one expression by rendering this whole sentence as “Although our ancestors received the Law, they refused to obey it” or “Our ancestors received the Law, but they did not obey it.”

Yet the fruit of the law did not perish—for it could not, because it was thine: This sentence means that the Law continued to be in force, even though people did not obey it. It continued in force because it was God who put it into effect.

We suggest the following model for this verse:

• Our ancestors received the Law, but they did not obey it. However, that did not make the Law ineffective. The Law remained in force, because it came from you.

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.