Then those who have now abused my ways shall be amazed, and those who have rejected them with contempt shall dwell in torments: God now turns to the fate of the wicked. Abused my ways may be rendered “ignored my ways” (Good News Bible) or “disobeyed my laws.” Shall be amazed is better translated “will be horrified [or, shocked].” Rejected them with contempt may be expressed as “held them in contempt” (Good News Bible). Shall dwell in torments may be rendered “will stay in a place where they will be tormented [forever].” An alternative model for this verse is:

• Then those who have ignored my ways [or, Law] will be shocked when they are caught [or, find themselves caught] in a place of [eternal] torment.

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.