They shall be like mad men: The pronoun They refers to the persecutors, not the victims. In this context the adjective mad means “crazy, insane.” Good News Bible translates mad men as “wild people,” but we prefer the English idiom “wild animals,” often used of people who are out of control, behaving in a violent manner. Translators should look for an expression in their languages which clearly carries this meaning. This clause may be rendered “Their persecutors will act like they are insane.”

Sparing no one may be translated “showing no mercy to any of them.”

But plundering and destroying those who continue to fear the Lord: Plundering means “taking possessions by force.” Destroying here means “killing.”

Here is a possible model for this verse:

• The persecutors will act like wild animals [or, as if the have become insane], killing anyone who continues to fear the Lord and plundering their possessions. They will spare [or, show mercy to] no one.

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.

For they shall destroy and plunder their goods, and drive them out of their houses: This verse conflicts with the statement in verse 71 that the persecutors will kill anyone they can find who insists on worshiping God. Here the persecuted people are alive for more destruction and plundering, and they are forced out of their homes. The author is aiming for emphasis, not logical consistency. All sorts of terrible things will happen—that is what he is saying. An alternative model for this verse is:

• They will destroy and plunder and drive God’s people out of their homes.

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.

Then the tested quality of my elect shall be manifest, as gold that is tested by fire: Compare Isa 48.10; Zech 13.9; 1 Peter 1.7. For my elect, see the comments on 2 Esd 15.21. Here the pronoun my refers to God, but God has been referred to in the third person in the previous verses of this section, so some translators may prefer to say “the Lord’s elect” or “the Lord’s chosen people.” Good News Bible offers a helpful model for this verse. Other possible ones are:

• Then my chosen people will show that they are faithful to me by surviving these tortures, just as gold is purified with fire.

• Then just as fire purifies gold, my [or, the Lord’s] people will show their faithfulness by surviving these tortures.

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.

In the verses 74-78 it is not always clear who the speaker is. We think it best to follow Good News Bible in assuming that the Lord is the speaker throughout these verses.

“Hear, my elect,” says the Lord: In many languages it will be better to begin this verse with the quote frame says the Lord. Good News Bible uses indirect speech for Hear, my elect by saying “But listen to what the Lord says,” which is an acceptable model.

Behold, the days of tribulation are at hand, and I will deliver you from them: For the word Behold, which highlights the words that follow, see 2 Esd 6.18. Here it may be combined with Hear.

Alternative models for this verse are:

• Here is what the Lord says: “Listen to me, my chosen people. A time of terrible suffering [or, persecution] is coming soon, but I will rescue you.

• … Very soon your enemies will persecute you terribly, but I will save 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.

Do not fear or doubt, for God is your guide: Good News Bible uses the first person for God, since he is the speaker. We recommend doing this. Contemporary English Version provides the following helpful model for this verse:

• Don’t be afraid and don’t give up—I am your God and I will protect 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.

You who keep my commandments and precepts …: The words commandments and precepts are very similar in meaning. Both are used for emphasis, which Good News Bible and Contemporary English Version keep by saying “laws and commands.”

Says the Lord God: This quote frame reminds the listeners that God is still the speaker (see the comments on 2 Esd 1.14). Here we recommend that translators omit it (so Contemporary English Version).

Do not let your sins pull you down, or your iniquities prevail over you: The chosen people have been following God’s commands, and when the time of testing, the persecution, comes, it will be no time to start disobeying. They must stand firm.

Contemporary English Version provides the following helpful model for this verse:

• You have always obeyed my laws and commands, so don’t let your sins take over and control you.

Another possible one is:

• You have been keeping my commandments, obeying me. Don’t let your sins drag you down now. Don’t let sin get the best of 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.

Woe to those who are choked by their sins and overwhelmed by their iniquities, as a field is choked with underbrush and its path overwhelmed with thorns, so that no one can pass through!: The picture here is of a field that has grown wild (choked with underbrush and its path overwhelmed with thorns), so that no one can walk through. In the same way sinners are choked by their sins and overwhelmed by their iniquities. God will destroy such people. For the word Woe, see the comments on 2 Esd 2.8; for thorns see verse 32. Path is a more likely reading than “seed” (Revised Standard Version footnote). An alternative model for this verse is:

• Some people are choked with sin like an open unused field, choked thick with underbrush; they are overwhelmed by sin like a pathway blocked by thornbushes. Such people are doomed [or, God will punish such people].

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.

It is shut off and given up to be consumed by fire: The image of the field overgrown with underbrush continues here. In order to use the field again, the farmer will burn it to remove the unwanted growth. Before setting the fire, though, he must do something to isolate it, so that the fire will not spread beyond where he wants it. The imagery here extends only so far. The writer is thinking only of the fire that destroys the dense growth, not of any future reuse of the field. Sinners will be destroyed like such a field. An alternative model for this verse is:

• Such a field is marked off and set on fire [or, A farmer will mark off such a field and set it on fire]. In the same way sinners are doomed [or, In the same way God will destroy sinners].”

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.