But now those who have been created in this world …: In languages that do not have the passive voice, this clause may be rendered “But now those people whom I created to live in this world.”

Which is supplied both with an unfailing table and an inexhaustible pasture: The passive verb is supplied may be translated “I supplied.” An unfailing table is an image that refers to the plentiful supply or abundance of food that the earth produces for humanity. Good News Bible uses the nonfigurative expression “an abundance of food,” which some languages may prefer. As the footnote in Revised Standard Version indicates, the word pasture is a correction of the Latin text, which reads “law.” The problem no doubt originated in the Greek, where the word for “pasture” is almost the same as the word for “law.” This is a difficult matter to decide, but we prefer to go with Good News Bible (also Contemporary English Version, New English Bible) in choosing “law” and saying “a Law of profound wisdom” or “a Law that leads to great wisdom” instead of an inexhaustible pasture.

Have become corrupt in their ways may be translated “began to live sinful lives” or “began to sin continually.”

Here are possible models for this verse:

• But the people whom I created and supplied with an abundance of food, and gave a Law that leads to great wisdom, began to lead sinful lives.

• I supplied this world with an abundance of food, and I gave its people a Law of profound wisdom, but the people whom I created began to live sinful lives.

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.