And when the seal is placed upon the age which is about to pass away: This final seal is a figure of speech. When a person finished writing a letter, a seal was placed on it to close it. Translators can keep the figure of the seal by saying “and I will put my seal upon this present age which is about to pass away” (similarly Good News Bible). The following models use nonfigurative language: “Then this age, which is already [on the verge of] passing away, will come to its end” or “and I will bring to a close this age, which is already passing away.” For the Latin word translated age (saeculum), see the comments on 2 Esd 2.34.

Then I will show these signs: These signs refers to events signaling the end of time (see the comments on 2 Esd 4.52). This clause may be translated “Then I will give these [or, the following] signs.”

The books shall be opened before the firmament, and all shall see it together: The books are the books containing a record of human deeds (see Dan 7.10; Rev 20.12). Here they are opened before the firmament, presumably meaning opened like a scroll across the sky, so that people on earth can see their coming judgment. This clause may be rendered “the books of judgment will be spread across the sky” or “I will open the books for judging people, and spread them across the sky.”

And all shall see it together: Compare Isa 40.5.

Here is an alternative model for this verse:

• Then this age, which is already [on the verge of] passing away, will come to its end. At that time I will give these signs: the books [of judgment] will be spread open across the sky for everyone on earth to see.

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.