If the world has indeed been created for us, why do we not possess our world as an inheritance? How long will this be so?: Here is the climax to Ezra’s prayer. With these two questions he boldly challenges God’s integrity. For If the world has indeed been created for us, see verse 55. In those languages that do not have the passive voice, this clause may be rendered “If you really created the world for us.” Good News Bible provides a helpful model for this verse. Another possible one is:

• If you really created this world for us, why don’t we possess it? How long must we wait until we can take control of it?”

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.