For behold, just a little while, and iniquity will be removed from the earth: The connector For may also be rendered “because” (Contemporary English Version). For the word behold, which highlights the rest of this verse, see 2 Esd 6.18. In some languages translators may wish to translate For behold as “Oh yes.” In languages that do not have the passive voice, iniquity will be removed from the earth may be expressed as “God will remove all sin [or, iniquity] from the earth.”

And righteousness will reign over us: Translators who find the personification of righteousness difficult here may say “and everyone will live righteously.”

An alternative model for this verse is:

• Oh yes, it will not be very long at all before sinfulness will be removed from this world, and righteousness will be our ruler.

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.