And when you have finished, some things you shall make public, and some you shall deliver in secret to the wise: See verses 6 and 45-46; compare 2 Esd 12.37-38. The notion of a secret knowledge divinely revealed appeared in this book as early as 3.14.

Tomorrow at this hour you shall begin to write: Contemporary English Version says “You should start writing tomorrow at this time.”

An alternative model for this verse is:

• When you have finished writing, I will tell you what parts you should let everyone know about. But other parts you must pass on only to the wise [or, wise people] secretly. Begin the writing tomorrow at this time.”

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.