He answered me and said: Translators should make it clear that God is speaking here; for example, Contemporary English Version renders this quote frame as “The Lord said.” Since God is not answering a question from Ezra, the verb answered is better translated “replied” (Myers) or “responded.”

Things that are present are for those who live now, and things that are future are for those who will live hereafter: Things that are present may be translated “Events that are happening now” or even “This present time.” Things that are future may be expressed as “the future time.”

Good News Bible provides a helpful model for this verse, and so does Contemporary English Version, which says:

• The Lord said: The present time is for those who are now alive, and the future is for those who will come later.

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.