You have imitated that hateful harlot in all her deeds and devices: That hateful harlot refers to Babylon (compare Rev 17.16). The adjective hateful may be rendered “horrible” or “disgusting” (Contemporary English Version). Here the word harlot (Good News Bible “prostitute”) is used to refer to the sinfulness of Babylon. In all her deeds and devices may be translated “in everything that she has ever done or planned [or, schemed].” This whole clause may be expressed as “You have copied everything that horrible [or, disgusting] prostitute has ever done or schemed.”

Therefore God says may be rendered “So here is what God says.” This quote frame introduces God’s words of judgment on Asia in verses 49-63.

I will send evils upon you may be translated “I will send disasters upon you” (Good News Bible) or “I will punish you in many [or, the following] ways.”

Widowhood, poverty, famine, sword, and pestilence: These are the ways in which God will punish Asia. For widowhood compare Isa 47.8-9, where widowhood is predicted for Babylon. Good News Bible renders this word as “I will make you a widow.” Poverty, famine may be expressed as “poor and hungry.” Once again the word sword is an image for “war” (Good News Bible; see 2Esdras 15.5). The Latin word for pestilence refers to epidemic diseases.

To lay waste your houses: The word houses may be rendered “families” in this context.

And bring you to destruction and death may be translated “I will destroy and kill you” or more simply “I will destroy you.”

Here is a possible model for verses 48-49:

• 48 You have copied everything that horrible prostitute has ever done or schemed. So here is what God says: 49 “I will send disasters upon you. I will make you a widow, poor and hungry and diseased and in danger of violent attack. I will ruin your homes [or, families]. I will bring you to ruin and death [or, I will destroy you and kill you].

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.