But as for the two who remained, the sword shall devour them: See 2 Esd 11.35. Good News Bible assumes too much by saying “The other two will die in battle.” The sword shall devour them could refer to assassination just as easily as dying in battle (and in light of the next verse probably does). Since we cannot be certain what the author means, we need a less specific translation here, for example, “The two remaining heads will die a violent death [or, be killed with swords]” or “People will use swords to kill the two remaining heads.”

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.