Likewise those who do not serve in the army or make war but till the soil may be shortened to “It’s the same with those people who are not soldiers but are farmers.”

Whenever they sow, reap the harvest and bring some to the king: Just as the soldiers give the king what they capture in battle, the farmers give some of what they grow to the king.

And they compel one another to pay taxes to the king: It is not clear at all what this clause refers to, although its meaning is clear enough. Farmers force other farmers to pay taxes.

Good News Bible may serve as a model for this verse. Contemporary English Version also provides the following helpful model:

• It’s the same with farmers, who plant and harvest crops instead of fighting in the army. They take part of their harvest to the king, and they even force each other to pay taxes to him.

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.