Then I prayed and said: The verb prayed does not mean that Ezra worshiped the angel, or that he prayed to God and then spoke to Uriel. It simply describes his hesitance and humility in asking his questions here. This quote frame may be rendered “Then I said to Uriel, ‘If I may ask …’ ” or “I asked Uriel, ‘Please tell me …’ ” (similarly Good News Bible).

Do you think that I shall live until those days?: Those days refers to “the end of time” (Contemporary English Version). Until those days may be rendered “until that time comes.”

Or who will be alive in those days?: There is a textual problem here. Some ancient versions read “What will happen in those days?” In Latin there is only a difference of one letter between these two readings. The second reading makes much better sense, because in the next verse Uriel refers to “signs” Ezra has asked about. But unless it is here, with this question, he asks nothing about signs of the end. We recommend the second reading.

An alternative model for this verse is:

• Then I said to Uriel, “If I may ask, do you think I will live until that time? What will happen at that time?”*
* Some ancient translations What will happen at that time?; Latin Who will be alive at that 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.