I said may be rendered “I replied” (Contemporary English Version).

Speak, my lord: For addressing an angel as my lord, see the comments on 2 Esd 2.44. This clause may be rendered “Sir, please explain it to me” (similarly Good News Bible).

Only do not forsake me, lest I die before my time: Like Good News Bible, the Handbook prefers to follow the Latin here, which has “die to no purpose” (Revised Standard Version footnote) instead of die before my time. Ezra is afraid that he will die frustrated, without ever learning the meaning of what he has seen. This phrase may be translated “die not knowing” (Contemporary English Version) or “die before I know what it means.”

For I have seen what I did not know, and I have heard what I do not understand: Good News Bible combines these two clauses, and so does Contemporary English Version with “I cannot understand what I’ve seen and heard here.”

We offer two models for verses 34-35. The first one keeps the same ordering of clauses as Revised Standard Version. The second one combines the two verses:

• 34 I said, “Please explain it, sir. But don’t leave me. I don’t want to die before I know what it means [or, what the vision means]. 35 For I didn’t understand what I saw and heard, and I still don’t understand.

• 34-35 I said, “Please do, sir. But don’t leave me. I didn’t understand what I saw and heard, and still don’t understand. But I don’t want to die before I know what it means.

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.