Translation commentary on 2 Esdras 7:135

And bountiful, because he would rather give than take away: For the implied idea at the beginning of this verse, see the comments on verse 133. Good News Bible makes it explicit by beginning with “He is known as.” As the Revised Standard Version footnote indicates, the last part of this verse is ambiguous. We feel that the translation offered there as an alternative is rather unlikely; the real ambiguity we see is between the meanings take away and “demand” (Good News Bible, Revised English Bible, Violet). These two senses are not really that far apart, looking at the same action from two different viewpoints, so a footnote is not necessary. We suggest using Good News Bible as a model, but another possible one is:

• He is also known as generous because he prefers to give rather than to take away.

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.

Translation commentary on 2 Esdras 8:28

Think not on those who have lived wickedly in thy sight; but remember those who have willingly acknowledged that thou art to be feared: This verse is neatly parallel to verse 27, and Good News Bible‘s translation reflects that well. The following model of Contemporary English Version is also worth studying:

• Don’t pay attention to those who constantly do wrong, but take care of everyone who listens with fear to what you command.

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.

Translation commentary on 2 Esdras 9:1 - 9:2

He answered me and said: The speaker here is probably the angel Uriel. The verb answered is better rendered “replied” or “responded,” since Uriel is not answering a question asked by Ezra.

Measure carefully in your mind may be translated “Think very carefully” or “Consider all these things very carefully” (Good News Bible).

And when you see that a certain part of the predicted signs are past may be expressed as “When you see that some of the signs I have told you about have already happened.”

Then you will know that it is the very time may be rendered “then you will know that the time has come.”

When the Most High is about to visit the world which he has made: For the Most High, see the comments on 2 Esd 3.3. In this context the verb visit refers to God’s judgment (see the comments on 2 Esd 5.56). So this clause may be translated “when God Most High will bring judgment on the world he has created.”

These two verses presuppose that a definite timetable exists for events at the end time, a common feature of apocalyptic writing (compare 2 Esd 4.36-37; 14.11-12). The idea seems to be that Ezra should do some calculating, figuring how many of the predicted signs have already come to pass, and then suppose that the end time is near. Here is an alternative model:

• 1 He [or, The angel Uriel] replied, “Think very carefully. When you see that some of the signs I have told you about have already happened, 2 then you will know that the time has come when God Most High will bring judgment on the world that he has created.

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.

Translation commentary on 2 Esdras 9:42

And I said to her, “What has happened to you? Tell me”: The meaning is quite clear here in Revised Standard Version. Contemporary English Version has the following model for this verse:

• Then I said, “Tell me what has happened to 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.

Translation commentary on 2 Esdras 10:31

What is the matter with you? And why are you troubled? And why are your understanding and the thoughts of your mind troubled?: Uriel’s response to Ezra’s condition is much like Ezra’s response to the sight of the weeping woman in 2 Esd 9.42. The last two questions are similar in meaning, so Good News Bible combines them. Good News Bible provides a good model for this verse, and so does Contemporary English Version, which says:

• “What’s wrong, Ezra? Why are you so confused and upset?”

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.

Translation commentary on 2 Esdras 11:11

And I counted his opposing wings, and behold, there were eight of them: His opposing wings refers to the extra wings of 2Esdras 11.3 (see the comments there). Contemporary English Version says “small wings growing from the larger ones.” For behold see 2Esdras 11.1. An alternative model for this verse is:

• I counted its small [or, extra] wings, and there were eight.

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.

Translation commentary on 2 Esdras 12:6

Therefore I will now beseech the Most High … may be rendered “So now I will pray to God Most High….”

That he may strengthen me to the end: This clause could mean (a) that he may strengthen me completely, (b) that he may give me strength to endure the things that will happen at the end of time, or (c) that he may give me strength to endure the vision in this dream I have been having. Option (c) is the most likely, (b) next, and (a) least. So we suggest the following model for this verse:

• So, all I can do now is ask God Most High to give me strength until all this is over [or, strength to endure this vision].”

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.

Translation commentary on 2 Esdras 12:41

How have we offended you, and what harm have we done you, that you have forsaken us and sit in this place?: The people wonder why Ezra is still sitting out in the lonely field, and wonder if he is angry with them. How have we offended you may be rendered “Are you angry with us?” (similarly Contemporary English Version). What harm have we done you may be translated “Have we hurt you in any way?” Forsaken us may be expressed as “abandoned us” (Good News Bible) or “not returned to us.” Good News Bible breaks this long question into several questions, which other languages may find helpful (see also the second model below). Alternative models for this verse are:

• “Are you angry with us or have we hurt you in some way that you have abandoned us and you sit out here in this place?

• “Why are you sitting out here in this place? Why have you not come back [to us]? Have we offended you? Have we hurt you in some way?

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.