The second order, because they see the perplexity in which the souls of the ungodly wander …: This verse gives the second stage of joy after death for the righteous. The perplexity in which the souls of the ungodly wander refers to the souls of the ungodly wandering in confusion (compare verse 80). The first half of this verse may be rendered “Second, they see how confused the souls of the wicked are as they wander around” (similarly Contemporary English Version).

And the punishment that awaits them refers to the punishment that awaits the wicked. The righteous contrast their state with the state of the ungodly. In verses 36 and 83 it appears that the righteous, on the way to their reward, and the unrighteous, wandering restlessly, can see each other.

An alternative model for this verse is:

• Second [or, In the second stage], they see the souls of the ungodly as they wander in confusion, and see the punishment that is waiting for them [or, the ungodly].

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.