And after thirty years God heard your handmaid: In many languages your handmaid may be translated simply “me,” but in others a suitable kinship term may be used. Good News Bible provides a helpful model for this clause, saying “After thirty years God answered my prayer.”

And looked upon my low estate, and considered my distress, and gave me a son: The Latin word for low estate refers to the woman’s “suffering” (Good News Bible). The word for distress is very similar in meaning, but here could refer to mental anguish.

And I rejoiced greatly over him, I and my husband and all my neighbors: The footnote in Revised Standard Version here involves a translational matter, so it may be omitted. Neighbors is a good translation in this context. In many languages I and my husband and all my neighbors will be placed at the beginning of this clause (see the model below).

And we gave great glory to the Mighty One: For the Mighty One, see the comments on 2 Esd 6.31-32. This clause may be rendered “and we praised the Almighty God greatly.”

Here is a possible model for this verse:

• After thirty [long] years, God answered my prayer. He saw my suffering and distress, and gave me a son [or, little boy]. I was so happy! My husband and I—and all our neighbors—gave great praise to God Almighty. We were all so happy!

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.