The Greek, Latin and Ge’ez that is translated as “all the gentiles” or “all nations” in English is translated as “all people” in Tzeltal, as “all mankind” in Highland Totonac, or “the peoples who are everywhere” in Chicahuaxtla Triqui. (Source: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.)
Translation commentary on 2 Esdras 13:33
And when all the nations hear his voice …: See 2Esdras 13.4. The nations may be rendered “the people from all the nations” or “the people of every nation” (Contemporary English Version).
Every man shall leave his own land and the warfare that they have against one another: The Latin text does not exactly say every man. It could just as easily mean “each nation” (compare Good News Bible), meaning of course the people of each nation, and most especially, the fighting forces.
Good News Bible provides a helpful model for this verse, joining it closely with the next one. For another model see the end of the discussion on the next verse.
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.
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