For now calamities have come upon the whole earth, and you shall remain in them: The conjunction For may be omitted (so Good News Bible, Contemporary English Version). Calamities may be rendered “Terrible disasters” (Good News Bible) or “Horrible disasters” (Contemporary English Version). This verse is directed against the sinners spoken of in the previous verses, and it will be helpful to indicate that by translating the pronoun you as “you sinners.” The pronoun them refers to the calamities. You shall remain in them may be expressed as “you sinners cannot escape the calamities.”

For God will not deliver you, because you have sinned against him: God will not save sinners because of their disobedience.

An alternative model for this verse is:

• Terrible disasters have already begun over the whole earth, and you sinners cannot escape them. God will not save you, because you have sinned against him.

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.