If any one, then, wishes to reach the sea, to look at it or to navigate it, how can he come to the broad part unless he passes through the narrow part?: Good News Bible renders this rhetorical question as a statement, which some languages may find helpful. If any one, then, wishes to reach the sea may be rendered “Now suppose someone wants to reach [or, get to] that ocean.” In this context the Latin expression for navigate it means “sail on it” (similarly Myers), not “control it” (Good News Bible, Contemporary English Version). In some languages it will be more natural to place the clause to look at it after to navigate it (see our model below). The broad part refers to the ocean, so how can he come to the broad part may be translated “how can he get there [or, reach the ocean].” The narrow part refers to an inlet to the sea through which ships would have to pass in order to get from port to the open water (see 2Esdras 7.4).

Here is a possible model for this verse:

• Suppose someone wants to get to the ocean, to sail on it or just to look at it. How can he get there unless he passes through the narrow place [or, entrance]?

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.