But they themselves who were created have defiled the name of him who made them, and have been ungrateful to him who prepared life for them: Compare Isa 29.16; 45.9-11; Rom 9.20-21. The connector but is probably better rendered “However,” since God again stresses why the wicked cannot be saved, even though in the previous verse he claimed that he didn’t want any of them to perish. Have defiled the name of him who made them may be translated “have dishonored the name of God who created them” or “have caused the name of God who created them to be disgraced.” The life God prepared for them is eternal life. Here is a possible model for this verse:

• However, these people, whom God [or, I] created, dishonored the name of God [or, my name]. God [or, I] was ready to give them eternal life, but they were ungrateful.

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.