For the weaker the world becomes through old age, the more shall evils be multiplied among its inhabitants: The connector For should be kept, since the weakness of the world through old age causes the increase in human disasters. The word world here refers to the earth, not to an age or phase of history. The disasters (evils) to come are those described in 2 Esd 5.1-13; 6.18-28; 9.1-4. Revised Standard Version‘s footnote here concerns a purely translational matter, so it is not needed. We suggest the following model for this verse:

• For [or, Because] as the world grows older and weaker, its people will suffer through more and more disasters.

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.