Then I said to him may be rendered simply “I replied.”

Depart from me may be translated “Leave me alone” (Good News Bible, Contemporary English Version) or even “Leave me by myself.”

And do not come near me for seven days may be expressed as “I want you to leave me completely alone for the next seven days.”

And then you may come to me may be rendered simply “Then you may return.”

He heard what I said and left me: The clause He heard what I said is omitted by Good News Bible and Contemporary English Version, and they say simply “So he left,” indicating that Phaltiel did what Ezra had told him to do. However, we suggest including this clause by saying “He did what I told him,” if translators feel that it is better style in their languages. And left me may then be rendered “and left me alone” or “and I was alone.”

Good News Bible provides a helpful model for this verse. Another possible one is:

• “Leave me by myself,” I told him. “I want you to leave me completely alone for the next seven days. Then you may come back.” He did what I told him, and I was alone.

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.